Piazza: ‘I Ran Out of Gas’

Dodger catcher Mike Piazza, who spent six months vying to become the first catcher since 1942 to win the batting title, had no choice Saturday but to offer his concession speech.

Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn clinched his seventh batting title when he went two for five, raising his batting average to .356.

Although Gwynn has only 493 plate appearances, he can take a 0 for 9 to reach the necessary 502 plate appearances, and still bat .349.

Piazza, who finished second to Gwynn last year in the batting race, went one for three and is batting .337.

The only player in National League history with more batting titles is Honus Wagner, who had eight.

“I just ran out of gas,” said Piazza, who has batted only .158 on this home stand. “I tried to hang in the batting race, but couldn’t do it. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride, I guess.”

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Dodger first baseman Eric Karros on the wild-card concept that has rendered today’s division championship game almost meaningless:

“A week and a half ago, everybody was saying the wild card is great for baseball. I guess this is a chance for baseball purists to get on their soapbox now.”

Dodger Manager Bill Russell on whether it makes a difference whether a team reaches the playoffs by winning the division or wild-card race: “You just want to get to the playoffs, it doesn’t matter how you get there.

“If you have a choice, you’d want to win the division, but the ultimate goal for anybody is to win the World Series.”

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Although Piazza will not win the batting title, and San Diego third baseman Ken Caminiti has emerged as the favorite in the MVP race, Padre Manager Bruce Bochy said Piazza’s accomplishments still defy belief.

“Being a former catcher myself,” Bochy said, “I can’t tell you how impressed I am. For him to catch 140 games, and hit like he has all season is absolutely unbelievable.”

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Dodger utilityman Chad Fonville was angered and frustrated to discover that he will be left off the playoff roster while the Dodgers carry 11 pitchers. “That hurts, man,” Fonville said. “I know I can do a lot to help this team, and now I won’t be able to do it. I know it’s out of my hands, but it’s still frustrating.”

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Vice presidential hopeful Jack Kemp watched the game with the Dodgers’ newest vice president, Tom Lasorda. . . . Todd Hollandsworth, who was dropped to second in the batting order and replaced in the leadoff spot by Wayne Kirby, ended his 0-for-16 skid with a third-inning single.