Russell Doesn’t Mind Mixing It Up

Manager Bill Russell thinks the bench-clearing fracas in Wednesday night’s 5-4 victory over the Angels may unify the Dodgers.

“I think it did some good,” Russell said. “Everyone was involved. I know it can bring you closer together.”

Russell thought home plate umpire Mark Johnson, who ruled faster than the Nevada Boxing Commission, made a good decision by not ejecting Dodger catcher Tom Prince or Angel left fielder Tony Phillips.

“Nothing was intentional,” Russell said. “If the umpire thought it was intentional [they] would have been disciplined. Because something did break out, he’s got to give warnings.

Eric Karros played peacemaker in the fight.

“I just wanted to separate them,” Karros said. “It was a typical baseball fight. Everyone got out and talked and that was it. It really wasn’t that big of a deal.”

Todd Zeile said it was triggered by one too many inside pitches.

“I think the situation just arose from guys pitching aggressively inside and tempers flared because of it,” Zeile said. “These have been tough close games, see-saw battles, the kind of games that lead to more intensity on the field.

“The fact that both sides are so intense about winning, sliding hard to break up double plays and pitching inside; sometimes in midseason you need that.

‘There’s more adrenaline in these interleague games. I think it’s good for baseball. This time of year baseball can get a little mundane, waiting for the [All-Star] break.

*

Russell gave outfielder Brett Butler the night off, starting Roger Cedeno in center field. Russell wanted to get more at-bats for Cedeno, who had batted .368 in his last five starts.

Cedeno drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the third inning and he added a run-scoring single in the eighth inning to give the Dodgers a 6-1 lead.

*

Rookie second baseman Wilton Guerrero sat out his second consecutive game because of a strained left shoulder.

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ON DECK

* Opponent--San Diego Padres, three games.

* Site--Qualcomm Stadium.

* Tonight--6.

* TV--Channel 5 tonight, Sunday.

* Radio--KABC (790), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 42-42, Padres 38-46.

* Record vs. Padres 1-6.

DODGERS’ PEDRO ASTACIO (4-7, 4.15 ERA) vs. PADRES’ DANNY JACKSON (1-6, 7.59 ERA)

* Update--Eric Karros had a two-run home run and a two-run double as the Dodgers ended a 10-game losing streak against the Padres with a 10-4 victory Sunday at Dodger Stadium. However, Tony Gwynn, who leads the majors with a .399 average, and Ken Caminiti were held out of the game. Astacio ended a career-worst seven-game losing streak Sunday, giving up three runs on six hits with three strikeouts and three walks in eight innings. It was his first victory since May 1. Astacio is 4-0 against the Padres. Karros extended his hitting streak to nine games with a fourth-inning double in Thursday night’s game against the Angels. Mike Piazza extended his hitting streak to 10 with a fifth-inning ground-rule double. The Padres have won six of their last eight games and have hit 21 home runs in their last 11.

Saturday 1 p.m.--Ismael Valdes (4-9, 3.11 ERA) vs. Andy Ashby (4-4, 3.43 ERA).

Sunday 1 p.m.--Tom Candiotti (4-2, 3.04 ERA) vs. Sean Bergman (2-2, 4.92 ERA).