A Victory Comes With Dodgers’ Dozen Runs

Many things happened to the Dodgers before the All-Star break--most of which they’re trying to forget.

Considering the off-field chaos that marked the first half of the season, they are hoping for better days ahead.

And they couldn’t have planned a better start.

Powered by two big innings that provided a 10-run lead Thursday afternoon, the Dodgers overwhelmed the National League West-leading San Diego Padres, 12-3, before 41,250 at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers scored four runs in the first and six in the fourth, staking starter Chan Ho Park (8-5) to a 10-0 lead in their second-half opener. Park did his part by giving up only one unearned run in six innings, and the Dodgers turned two double plays.

That combination helped the Dodgers move back to .500 at 44-44, and cut the Padres’ lead over them to 12 1/2 games, which many players said is no cause for celebration.

But it did stir optimism in the Dodger clubhouse.

“This game was extremely important to us for several reasons, and we came out and played the way we’re capable of playing,” said reserve outfielder Trenidad Hubbard, who started in left field and hit a two-run homer--his fourth--in the seventh inning.

“We needed to make a good showing, not only on the field, but also psychologically on them. We needed to show them that the second half is going to be different.”

The Dodgers made an impression by taking a 4-0 lead in the first. Gary Sheffield hit a two-run homer--his 15th--as the Dodgers batted around.

San Diego Manager Bruce Bochy began planning for today’s game after the Dodgers’ sixth-run fourth, and fans bolted for the parking lots.

The Dodgers sent 10 batters to the plate and had six hits, including a run-scoring double by Bobby Bonilla. It was his first extra-base hit since he tripled May 23 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers last sent at least 10 batters to the plate May 16 against the Montreal Expos, so they were understandably pleased by their performance.

“You want to treat this series like it’s just any other series, but you know it’s really not,” said Sheffield, who along with new closer Jeff Shaw represented the Dodgers at Tuesday’s All-Star game in Denver.

“We know this is a big series, and we need everyone to contribute to help us get going in these next [three games]. You see what this team can do when we have guys like Bobby Bo back in the lineup.”

The Dodgers provided outstanding support for Park throughout the first half of the season. They averaged 7.1 runs in the right-hander’s 18 starts before Thursday’s. That was second best for National League pitchers.

And Park is making the most of that support at Dodger Stadium, improving to 5-0 there.

He gave up only three hits while winning for the third consecutive start. Park threw 82 pitches, 45 of them strikes.

The Padres scored their only run against him in the fifth. First baseman Eric Karros’ fielding error on a two-out grounder by Tony Gwynn allowed Steve Finley to score from second.

Park typically doesn’t complain about errors, and he was especially grateful to Karros and others for the support they provided.

“I was so proud of my teammates,” said Park, who lowered his earned-run average to 4.50. “We know this is an important stretch, and we showed how much we want to win.

“They gave me a lot of confidence [by taking an early lead], and that helped me pitch better.”

Padre starter Mark Langston (3-2) had a different experience.

Langston lasted only 3 1/3 innings and was charged with six runs. The left-hander gave up eight hits while also throwing 82 pitches.

“You know that these games are going to happen sometimes,” Bochy said. “That’s a good team over there.”

Maybe the Dodgers will be just that in the second half.

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* SO FAMILIAR

Trevor Hoffman is no longer the annoying little brother of Dodger Manager Glenn Hoffman, but an annoyance to all managers. C8

* MORE DATES

The 1999 schedule increases some interleague rivalries, meaning the Dodgers will play the Angels six times. C7

* BOX SCORE: C8