Dodgers Win It by Country Mile

Mike Busch considers himself nothing more than a good ‘ol boy who just happens to play baseball for a living.

He drives a beat-up pick-up truck instead of a luxury sedan.

He lives in a cramped ranch-style house on a Missouri farm instead of a mansion in California.

He would rather drink beer than champagne.

This country boy who never has set foot in Beverly Hills, much less Malibu, is keeping the Dodgers in the thick of the National League West race. On Tuesday night, he led them to a 7-1 victory over the Florida Marlins.

Busch produced the lone hit off Marlin starter Al Leiter, driving in three runs with a two-out, bases-loaded double in the fourth inning that jump-started the Dodgers [53-48] to the victory. The Dodgers remain a half game behind the division-leading San Diego Padres.

“[Busch] keeps giving us that hit we need,” Dodger interim Manager Bill Russell said. “That’s what it takes to win. He never had a situation like this before, and he’s taking advantage.”

Busch, ostracized a year ago by his teammates for being a strike-replacement player, now has become a savior.

In what could have been a disastrous situation when third baseman Mike Blowers’ suffered a season-ending knee injury last Wednesday, Busch has responded with nine RBIs in five games--including eight in their three victories during this trip.

Blowers may have been a steady force at third base, but he drove in only 38 runs, averaging one RBI every 8.3 at-bats. Busch is averaging an RBI every 2.1 at-bats since being put in the starting lineup, and an RBI every 3.4 at-bats this season. The ratio is staggering when you consider that Mike Piazza, who leads the team with 71 RBIs, is averaging one RBI every 4.8 at-bats.

Little wonder the Dodgers are in no hurry to acquire a third baseman before the July 31 trading deadline--the last date before waivers must be procured. Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, acknowledged that he is exploring possibilities--including picking up third baseman Tim Wallach if he clears waivers Thursday--but conceded that it’s possible he will stick with Busch.

“There’s no reason he can’t do the job for us,” Claire said.

The Dodgers were held hitless in the first three innings, and the only one to even hit the ball out of the infield was starter Ismael Valdes [11-5], who pitched five innings before saying he was too tired to continue. Leiter, who said he felt better than the night in April when he threw his no-hitter, suddenly had control problems in the fifth.

He struck out leadoff hitter Delino DeShields, and then walked three consecutive batters. Raul Mondesi hit into a fielder’s choice for the second out, forcing Greg Gagne at home. Busch was the lone obstacle standing in Leiter’s way.

Busch, who struck out in his first at-bat, ran the count to 3-and-2. Leiter came back with a cut-fastball that hung over the plate. Busch hammered the ball into the left-field corner, clearing the bases for a 3-0 lead.

“They say they’re giving me a chance to be the everyday third baseman,” Busch said, “so I’m just trying to stay focused. My ability will take care of itself--either way.”

This turned out to be one of the most peculiar Dodger victories of the season. They reached base in only two of the nine innings. Their top four hitters in the lineup failed to produce a hit. And yet, they scored seven runs for their most lopsided victory since the All-Star break.

If this wasn’t enough to boggle he mind, the man who might have saved the game with his defense was . . . yep, left fielder Billy Ashley.

With the Dodgers clinging to a 3-1 lead in the sixth with the bases loaded, Ashley made what he called the best defensive play of his career. Ashley caught Quilvio Veras’ foul ball in medium-depth left field against the bullpen retaining fence and threw out Greg Colbrunn at home ending the inning.

“I was pumped, it was a big play of the game,” said Ashley, who also robbed Devon White of a double against the left-field wall in fourth inning. “I don’t like being labeled a bad outfielder. I don’t know if I’ve changed any minds, but it’s changed my mind.”