Mlicki Lets Dodgers Relax

His team is struggling, several of his key players are injured and his job is in jeopardy.

Bill Russell has his hands full.

But at least for a night, the embattled Dodger manager had something to feel good about Thursday after a 5-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Newly acquired pitcher Dave Mlicki (3-4) threw only the fifth complete-game shutout at Coors Field, and Eric Karros supplied the offense by tying a Dodger season high with five RBIs--including his fifth home run--before a crowd of 48,092.

The victory ended the Dodgers’ four-game losing streak, and moved them within a game of .500 at 35-36. It came a day after the National League West-leading San Diego Padres defeated the Dodgers, 3-2, in 12 innings at San Diego--and not a moment too soon for Russell.

“It’s always a great feeling when you win,” said Russell, whose tenure at the Dodgers’ helm is expected to end soon unless the team’s play improves.

“It’s just a relief. You’re able to get a little sleep, you’re able to relax and you’re able to have a little fun.”

Russell hasn’t experienced that lately with increasing speculation he will be removed because more is expected of a team with a payroll of about $57 million. But on Thursday, several of the Dodgers’ high-priced players weren’t on the field.

Star center fielder Raul Mondesi didn’t play because of a left ankle sprain he suffered Wednesday while making a spectacular catch against the Padres. Second baseman Eric Young missed his second consecutive game because of a strained right quadriceps, and third baseman Bobby Bonilla was benched for the second game in a row because he’s struggling offensively.

But Mlicki and Karros were a formidable combination.

Mlicki tossed a seven-hitter as the Rockies were shut out for the first time this season. He threw 114 pitches--74 strikes--struck out four and walked two. And the defense played well behind Mlicki, turning two nifty double plays.

The right-hander was in command throughout in his second victory against Colorado in seven days. Mlicki pitched eight impressive innings last Friday in defeating the Rockies, 2-1, at Dodger Stadium.

Mlicki increased his string of scoreless innings against Colorado to 16. His only other shutout came as a member of the New York Mets last season against the New York Yankees in an interleague game.

“Since coming over here in the trade [for pitcher Hideo Nomo], I’ve just felt a lot more comfortable,” Mlicki said. “[Pitching coach Glenn Gregson] has really been great with the way he’s worked with me.

“But I wasn’t thinking about a shutout tonight, I was just thinking about trying to keep us in the game, because we have a lot of guys banged up.”

Excluding right fielder Gary Sheffield and Mlicki, the starting lineup Thursday began the game with a combined .231 (208 for 899) batting average. But fortunately for the Dodgers, Karros was also among the group.

He staked Mlicki to a 3-0 lead in the first inning with a one-out, three-run homer against Colorado starter Jamey Wright (5-7) that hit the left-field foul pole. Karros closed the scoring with a one-out, two-run double in the eighth against reliever Dave Veres.

Karros tied the team season high for RBIs in a game, which he established June 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals. His career single-game high for RBIs is six, which he set on Aug. 24, 1993, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The first baseman remembers a simpler time when the team didn’t trade franchise players in the middle of the night and managers had job security. And he hoped his performance helped calm the Dodgers’ stormy waters.

“[Winning] is the only way to remedy anything,” said Karros, who was batting .255 (13 for 51) in 16 games before Thursday.

“To keep the focus around here, we’ve got to win. If we win, then nobody else is going to worry about all that’s been going on around here.”

At the very least, Mlicki and Karros enabled their manager to get a good night’s sleep.