As Karros Goes, so Go Dodgers : Baseball: First baseman’s three-run homer gives Martinez lead to work with in 4-2 victory over Reds.

Dodger first baseman Eric Karros can’t hit the ball as far as Mike Piazza. He can’t run as fast as Chad Fonville. He certainly doesn’t have the arm of Raul Mondesi.

Why, he wasn’t even among the five all-stars selected from the Dodgers.

Yet as the Dodgers will attest, no one has performed as spectacularly this season as Karros, who led the Dodgers to a 4-2 victory Saturday night over the Cincinnati Reds in front of a paid crowd of 41,488 at Dodger Stadium.

“He’s been amazing all year,” Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda said. “He’s been Mr. Consistency. A lot of people drive in runs, but he’s driven in a lot of important runs.”

Karros’ three-run homer in the first inning against Mark Portugal kept the Dodgers (44-42) within four games of the division-leading Colorado Rockies and provided Dodger starter Ramon Martinez (11-6) all of the support he would need.

Martinez, who yielded eight hits and one earned run in eight innings, joined Greg Maddux of Atlanta as the only National League pitchers with 11 victories. Dodger closer Todd Worrell, who struggled in the ninth, ended the game by striking out pinch-hitter Eddie Taubensee with runners on second and third for his 18th save.

“Once I pitched my no-hitter, it gave me confidence,” Martinez said. “I just feel so much more relaxed now. I’m in a good groove, and I want to keep it that way.”

But as Martinez conceded, if it hadn’t been for Karros, his performance might have been for naught. In fact, perhaps no player has been such a key factor in the Dodgers’ success and failures this season.

The Dodgers are 28-10 when Karros drives in at least one run and 16-32 otherwise.

“For us to get into the playoffs, I feel I have to contribute,” Karros said. “That would be the ultimate, helping get this team into the playoffs.”

Certainly, Karros is doing his share, batting .309 with a team-leading 17 homers and 59 RBIs. Remarkably, he already has three homers and 13 RBIs more than all of last season.

“There’s no question he’s become one of the leaders on this team,” Dodger pitcher Tom Candiotti said. “He’s definitely not afraid to voice his opinion, and he’s got a good feel of what’s going on.

“Most of all, he’s got everyone’s respect. Every night he busts his butt out there. When you do that in this game, and get the respect of your peers and opponents, there’s nothing more that needs to be said. I mean, some guys never get that respect.

“I think [Dodger third baseman] Tim Wallach, with his experience and leadership, has had a big influence on Eric. He sees how this game is played, and he’s just made himself into a great all-around player.”

Indeed, as fabulous as Karros’ offensive statistics have been this season, he takes greater pride in his defense. Scouts contend that few, if any, have improved more defensively this season than has Karros.

“I’m not sure anyone in the organization thought I could do this,” Karros said of his defense. “I remember [scout] Mel Didier once told me he thought I had a chance to win a Gold Glove, but I’m pretty sure no one else did.

“Defense is such an important part in this game, and we’ve proved all along if we can just catch the ball, we can win.”

The Dodgers, who have won eight of their last 11 games, also took a step to improve their playoff hopes by signing left-handed pitcher Derek Lilliquist to a triple-A contract. Lilliquist, 29, who opened the season with the Boston Red Sox, signing a one-year, $450,000 contract before being released July 16, will join the triple-A Albuquerque club on Monday in Tacoma, Wash.

Who knows, considering Portugal’s recent performances, the Reds might soon be vying for another pitcher themselves. Portugal, who was supposed to solve the Reds’ starting woes when they acquired him from the San Francisco Giants, has been a bust in his first two starts.

Portugal (5-7), who gave up six hits and four earned runs in two innings when he left the game with a bruised left heel, has lost six consecutive starts. He also is winless in eight starts with a 7.82 ERA since his last victory June 18 against the St. Louis Cardinals.