Dodgers Hang On, Beat Padres : Baseball: They stay within 1 1/2 games of the NL West-leading Rockies, gain game on Astros in the wild-card race.

Tom Lasorda has no idea whether he’ll still be managing the Dodgers on his next birthday, but if there are many more games like Friday’s, the ol’ ticker may not want him to come back.

The Dodgers, toying with Lasorda’s emotions the entire night on his 68th birthday, hung onto a wild 6-5 victory over the San Diego Padres in front of a paid crowd of 43,627 at Dodger Stadium.

The victory enabled the Dodgers to stay within 1 1/2 games of the division-leading Colorado Rockies, who defeated the San Francisco Giants. Yet, perhaps just as important, they gaind a game on the Houston Astros, and now have a 1 1/2-game lead in the wild-card race.

It was a game in which Dodger third baseman Tim Wallach obtained his 2,000th career hit, but might be most remembered by his deke in the seventh inning that protected the Dodgers’ victory.

The Dodgers (72-64) were clinging to a 6-5 lead with one out and Brad Ausmus on second base. Andujar Cedeno hit a slow roller towards Wallach, and realizing that he wasn’t going to get him at first base, Wallach faked a throw.

Ausmus bit, hook, line and sinker.

He took a wide turn at third base, Wallach spun around, and threw to shortstop Chad Fonville, who easily tagged him out. Pinch-hitter Eddie Williams then hit a grounder to Wallach for the third out.

Todd Worrell then preserved Wallach’s heroics by pitching the final 1 1/3 innings for his 30th save.

Lasorda still has not heard word whether he’ll be returning for his 20th season. He wants to come back. He believes he still has the energy. And he knows he’s the right man for the job.

Yet, he patiently waits, trying to keep his full attention on the division race and not his own fate.

“All I’m thinking about now is trying to win this thing,” Lasorda said. “I’m just taking this one day at a time.”

Lasorda had lunch Friday with President Peter O’Malley, but Lasorda said his future was not discussed.

“We have great respect for each other,” Lasorda said. “I love Peter O’Malley and the O’Malley family. He’s a great man.

“Whatever he wants to do, I’ll do. You know how much I love my job. When Peter’s ready, he’ll tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.

“I’ve been managing for 19 years. If he wants me back, I’ll be back. If he doesn’t want me back, that’s his prerogative.”

Meanwhile, Wallach certainly is making a strong case that he should return, producing his 2,000th hit and once again playing a significant role.

The Dodgers, after blowing a 4-0 lead, opened the fifth inning when Padre reliever Bryce Florie failed to catch Mike Piazza’s comebacker. Piazza went to second on Florie’s wild pitch, and to third on Wallach’s single to left, his 2,000th hit.

The crowd gave Wallach a rousing standing ovation, and Wallach doffed his helmet twice in appreciation.

That brought up Raul Mondesi, who hit a potential double-play grounder to shortstop Andujar Cedeno. Cedeno, who played brilliantly Thursday, showed why he’s the most erratic shortstop in the league. The ball caromed off his glove into left field, scoring Piazza and allowing Wallach to reach third and Mondesi second.

Padre Manager Bruce Bochy ordered Florie to intentionally walk Delino DeShields, loading the bases. Florie struck out Roberto Kelly for the second out. Then, pinch-hitter Dave Hasen, hit a ball up the third-base line for an infield hit, scoring Wallach for a 6-4 lead.

Meanwhile, Piazza and Karros again continue to flourish in this pennant stretch, shrugging off any pressure while providing a 4-0 lead in the third inning off Valenzuela.

Valenzuela opened the third by walking Kelly. Dodger starter Kevin Tapani sacrificed him to second. Valenzuela, who thought he struck out Brett Butler on a 2-and-2 pitch, instead walked him. Chad Fonville bounced out to Valenzuela for the second out, but that brought up Piazza.

Piazza, chasing Tony Gwynn for the batting title, slapped a single to right field, scoring Kelly and Butler for a 2-0 lead.

Karros then stepped up and slammed a 1-1 pitch into the right-field seats, his 30th home run and 100th RBI of the season.

Karros becomes the first Dodger first baseman to hit 30 homers in a season since Steve Garvey in 1977, and his 100 RBIs are the most by a Dodger first baseman since Garvey’s 106 in 1980.

Piazza and Karros also became the first Dodger teammates to hit 30 homers in the same season since 1977 when Garvey, Reggie Smith, Dusty Baker and Ron Cey accomplished the feat.