Luke Can Go Homer Again

Dodger officials acknowledged their blunder last month by reuniting Matt Luke with the team.

And the versatile reserve is rewarding them for bringing him home.

Luke continued to impress since rejoining the Dodgers, hitting a game-winning, two-run home run in the eighth inning Saturday afternoon in a 10-8 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Luke’s one-out blast--his fifth homer--to right-center against reliever Jeff Brantley capped a four-run eighth for the Dodgers, who overcame a five-run deficit on another scorching day before 44,598 at Busch Stadium.

The Dodger bullpen helped the team rally after starter Dave Mlicki gave up seven runs and lasted only 3 2/3 innings. Four relievers limited the Cardinals to five hits and one run over the final 5 1/3 innings, and they failed to score after the fifth.

Winner Mark Guthrie pitched (2-1) the seventh, and closer Jeff Shaw worked the final two innings to earn his second save in as many opportunities with the Dodgers, and his 25th overall.

The Cardinals had the tying run at the plate against Shaw in the ninth. With two out and a runner on second, Pat Kelly lined out to second baseman Juan Castro, which completed the victory that moved the Dodgers a game above .500 at 49-48.

And after hitting two homers in the Cardinals’ 4-1 victory Friday, Mark McGwire was hitless in four at-bats Saturday. The first baseman leads the major leagues with 42 homers in his pursuit of Roger Maris’ single-season record of 61.

The Dodgers hit a season-high four homers, and Luke’s decided the game.

“To get an opportunity to do that late in the game, that’s a great feeling,” said Luke, who started in left field. “I just wanted to keep the inning going after Sheff [Gary Sheffield] got that big hit to tie it up for us, and I got the right pitch to hit.”

St. Louis got the right pitches against Mlicki, taking a 7-2 lead after the fourth. The temperature at game time was 93 degrees, and the Dodger hitters eventually got hot at the plate.

After Raul Mondesi doubled with one out in the eighth against Brantley (0-5), Sheffield homered to left-center to tie the score, 8-8. The homer was the second in the series--and 17th overall--for Sheffield, who drove in three runs Saturday and has reached base in 30 consecutive games.

Eric Karros then singled and Trenidad Hubbard ran for him at first. On a 0-and-1 count against Brantley, Luke homered into the Cardinal bullpen.

“That was the big hit for the team,” said Mondesi, who hit a two-run homer--his team-leading 22nd--in the sixth.

“We got down early, but we kept playing and playing. [Sheffield] had a big hit, then Luke did. That’s what you need to do to be a good team.”

Luke is doing his part. He is batting .270 (10 for 37) with two homers in 19 games since he was claimed off waivers June 19 from the Cleveland Indians.

After consulting with former manager Bill Russell and his coaching staff, former executive vice president Fred Claire designated Luke for assignment May 29, and he was claimed by the Indians on June 9. The moved confused many because Luke, who plays the outfield and first base, was among the more productive members of the Dodger bench.

Luke, whose work ethic has been praised by many in the organization, made the opening day roster after being claimed from the New York Yankees last season.

Fortunately for the Dodgers, Luke was designated for assignment by the Indians on June 15 because their outfield is crowded. Claire quickly reclaimed Luke in one of his last moves as the player personnel chief.

“Nothing against the Indians, going to Cleveland was a good learning experience for me, but this is where I really want to be,” said Luke, from El Dorado High in Placentia. “I feel comfortable here, and this is where my heart is.

“Not just because this is where my family and friends are, but also because this just feels right. I wanted to come back, and I think things are working out for me.”

They certainly did Saturday.