Mondesi Is Difference for Dodgers

The Dodgers’ course was altered with the stunning trade of catcher Mike Piazza on May 15.

While team officials hoped someone would fill the void created by that deal, players believed Raul Mondesi would become the new franchise player.

The star center fielder continued to lead through his performance Monday night, hitting two home runs as the Dodgers rallied for an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets before 24,416 at Shea Stadium.

Piazza had an run-scoring single and two-run homer and former Dodger Hideo Nomo pitched a strong six innings, but it became Mondesi’s showcase.

“He was really something tonight,” Manager Glenn Hoffman said. “He came through in a big situation, and he’s been doing that ever since I got here.”

And before Hoffman’s arrival as well.

Mondesi’s second multi-homer game of the season--and the seventh of his career--helped the Dodgers split the four-game series with the Mets. His two-run homer in the seventh tied the score, 5-5, and Eric Karros’ two-run homer gave the Dodgers a 7-5 lead, capping the five-run inning against another former Dodger, Greg McMichael.

Mondesi sat out the first two games of the series because of back stiffness, but he felt fine Monday.

“I didn’t play good [Sunday] and they scored five runs,” Mondesi said in reference to his key error in a 9-3 loss. “Today, I said I’m going to try to do the best I can to help the team.

“I got a good chance to hit a couple of balls out of the park, and that made me feel good to help my team.”

Starter Dave Mlicki (6-5) earned the victory despite struggling in six innings against his former team, giving up eight hits and five runs. Closer Jeff Shaw rebounded from his first bad outing with the Dodgers.

Shaw gave up two singles in the ninth, but worked out of the jam in a scoreless inning, retiring Piazza on a line drive to right. He earned his 10th save in 11 opportunities since being acquired July 4 from the Cincinnati Reds, and his 33rd overall.

Of course, Piazza’s efforts weren’t enough for those grumpy New Yorkers, who boo him regularly.

The Dodgers moved within 4 1/2 games of the Chicago Cubs in the National League wild-card race. The Dodgers improved to 4-3 on their 10-game trip, and Mondesi was again the catalyst.

“What can you say, he’s my hero,” said left fielder Trenidad Hubbard, who tripled and scored the Dodgers’ final run in the eighth. “I know he doesn’t need it, but I’m just so impressed with everything he does.”

Mondesi hit a long solo homer--his 24th--against Nomo in the sixth, cutting the Mets’ lead to 5-2.

Things still looked good for the Mets, but it wasn’t McMichael’s night.

A throwing error by shortstop Rey Ordonez on a grounder by Eric Young helped the Dodgers send 10 men to the plate and score five unearned runs in the seventh against McMichael.

With two out and Young on first, Mondesi homered to center, tying the score. Gary Sheffield singled and Karros followed with his 14th homer.

Mondesi went three for five with three runs batted in, raising his average to .294. He has a team-high 25 homers and is second to Sheffield with 71 RBIs. Mondesi is on pace to hit 35 homers with 104 runs and 103 RBIs, which would be career highs.

“I’m not thinking about that, I just want to stay healthy and help my team,” he said. “If I can just stay healthy, I think everything will take care of itself.”