Young Blast Makes a Winner of Mlicki

Eric Young knows what his responsibilities are, and the Dodger leadoff hitter becomes especially upset when he disappoints in key situations.

But Young usually atones for his mistakes.

After failing to get down a bunt earlier in the game Friday night, Young hit a game-winning solo home run in the eighth inning to give the Dodgers a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies before 39,163 at Dodger Stadium.

With one out in the eighth, Young hit a 1-and-0 pitch from Colorado starter Darryl Kile (5-9) into the left-field pavilion that helped the Dodgers win their third in a row. Young’s second home run came after he fouled out to the catcher in the sixth after pitcher Dave Mlicki opened the inning with a double.

After struggling in his first start with the team, Mlicki (2-4) was outstanding in his debut at Dodger Stadium. He pitched eight impressive innings, and he shut down the Rockies after giving up a first-inning, run-scoring single by Larry Walker.

Raul Mondesi provided the Dodgers’ first run with a one-out solo homer in the fifth--his 15th home run--which broke up Kile’s no-hitter.

Relievers Antonio Osuna, Scott Radinsky and Greg McMichael combined to pitch a scoreless ninth. McMichael, who with Mlicki was acquired last week from the New York Mets in the Hideo Nomo trade, struck out Vinny Castilla with a runner on first to nail down the victory for Mlicki and his first save.

Manager Bill Russell raised some eyebrows with the way he used his bullpen in the ninth. But as Young can attest, everything ended well for the Dodgers.

“I’m not going to always hit game-winning home runs, that’s for sure,” said Young, who leads the major leagues with 26 stolen bases. “But that was a big play at a crucial point in the ballgame.

“I didn’t do my job [in the sixth], and I wasn’t happy about that. Everyone was counting on me to get that bunt down, so I just wanted to try to do something when I had the chance.”

Young popped out to catcher Jeff Reed for the first out in the sixth, and the Dodgers wound up leaving the bases loaded. Others had opportunities to get the job done--but Young pointed his finger only at himself.

“I expressed some emotions that I usually don’t [as he walked back to the dugout],” Young said. “I have to get that bunt down, and I didn’t do it.

“This team looks for me to do my job, and that’s part of my job.”

Many wondered if Russell was doing his job correctly in the ninth. Osuna opened the ninth and quickly got two outs. But with left-handed hitter Larry Walker on deck, Russell replaced the right-handed Osuna with left-hander Radinsky.

Osuna saved two games in as many days against the Seattle Mariners last weekend, and Radinsky has been struggling recently, so the move seemed curious. And it looked further suspect when Walker reached first on an infield hit when he beat Radinsky’s throw.

However, Russell was playing the percentages. Walker is hitless in three at-bats in his career against Radinsky, including one at-bat this season.

He is two for four against Osuna.

Everything turned out fine for the Dodgers when Castilla struck out swinging against McMichael.

“If we didn’t have Greg, I would have stayed with one guy or the other [Osuna or Radinsky],” Russell said. “It was the way we had it planned.”

Mlicki enabled Russell to use his plan.

He didn’t resemble the guy who lasted only three innings in his first start with the Dodgers last Saturday.

Mlicki gave up five hits and the run. He struck out four without a walk, so his control wasn’t a problem either.

And Mlicki was efficient. He threw only 84 pitches, 54 strikes. It was the type of performance Russell figured his new fifth starter could provide.

“In fairness to him, he traveled all night to join us in Seattle after the trade,” Russell said. “He got the ball up against Seattle, but it was exactly the opposite tonight.”