Win Makes L.A. Feel Rally Good

For many reasons, the Dodgers expected an interesting game Friday night against the New York Mets.

They were facing former teammate Mike Piazza for the first time since he was traded May 15, and interim General Manager Tom Lasorda was working the phones before the trading deadline.

As it turned out, things were even wilder than the Dodgers figured.

They scored three runs in the ninth inning against closer John Franco in a 4-3 victory before a sellout crowd of 49,407 at Shea Stadium, completing a busy day on and off the field.

Moments before the game, the Dodgers and Montreal Expos finalized a seven-player trade that sent second baseman Wilton Guerrero and three minor leaguers to the Montreal Expos for left-handed pitcher Carlos Perez, shortstop Mark Grudzielanek and a prospect.

Then the Dodgers rallied against the Mets, adding to their excitement.

“When you’re down by two runs going into the ninth inning against a guy like John Franco, you better believe that’s tough,” said second baseman Eric Young, who was activated before the game and had the game-winning hit.

“Anyone who says that it’s not hard to come back in a situation like that just isn’t telling the truth. But that’s what it’s all about, proving that you can do that. You can only feel good after a game like that.”

Tom Prince scored the winning run from first on Young’s two-out double to left-center. Antonio Osuna (6-0) earned the victory by pitching two-thirds of an inning in relief of starter Darren Dreifort, and closer Jeff Shaw pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his ninth save in as many opportunities with the team, and 32nd overall.

Piazza had a difficult night. The all-star catcher went hitless in four at-bats, hit into two double plays and the tying run scored when he couldn’t block a wild pitch by Franco.

The Dodgers improved to a season-high five games above .500 at 57-52.

“It was important for me to go out there and get the job done in the ninth, it was really important,” Shaw said. “When your teammates go out and score three runs against John Franco, you have to do your job. Everybody wants you to slam the door--and that’s what I wanted to do too.”

Franco (0-6) is third on the all-time saves list. But he failed to do his job in the ninth Friday.

He inherited a 3-1 lead after Met starter Masato Yoshii gave up one run in seven strong innings, and middle reliever Greg McMichael--who was traded from the Mets to the Dodgers and back to the Mets--worked a scoreless eighth. Enter Franco, who is seventh in the National League with 21 saves.

Matt Luke singled to left to open the inning. After Adrian Beltre and Charles Johnson struck out swinging, Roger Cedeno’s pinch-hit triple drove in Luke, cutting the lead to 3-2. Cedeno then scored on the wild pitch, tying the score.

Prince pinch-hit for shortstop Joey Cora and singled through the hole at short, setting up Young, who sat out the previous 18 games because of a right quadriceps strain but went three for five against the Mets.

“Getting E.Y. back tonight was obviously big,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “There was so much going on, but everyone is just staying focused and doing their jobs.”