Claire Happy for Dreifort

Darren Dreifort was understandably excited about pitching his first shutout Friday night in a 5-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

But Fred Claire seemed even more thrilled a day later.

“That was huge,” said Claire, the executive vice president, who is accompanying the team on its nine-game, 10-day trip.

“It was really kind of a breakthrough game for him. Once you do something like that, you know what that feeling is.

“No matter how many complete games he pitches, no matter how many shutouts he pitches, this is always going to be special for him, because it was his first one.”

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With the Dodgers carrying only 10 pitchers for now, instead of the customary 11, they need their starters to perform better.

“Before [Friday’s game], we personally challenged each starter,” pitching coach Glenn Gregson said.

“With only five pitchers out there in that bullpen, we told them they’re going to have to step it up and get us into the late innings. Darren started it off, and now we have to keep it going.”

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Second baseman Eric Young sat out his second game Saturday because of a right thigh muscle injury.

The Dodger leadoff hitter is eager to return, but team officials are urging caution.

“I told E.Y. that the important thing isn’t whether [he’s sidelined] for one game or two or whatever,” Claire said. “The important thing is that he gets healthy--because we need him.”

Tonight

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (4-2, 5.33 ERA) vs. DIAMONDBACKS’ WILLIE BLAIR (1-7, 5.31 ERA)

Bank One Ballpark, 4:30 p.m.

Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Park is struggling, and a strong outing against the Diamondbacks would boost his confidence.

HOW THEY SCORED

THIRD INNING: Dodgers 2, Diamondbacks 0--Johnson was safe on Williams’ error. Castro singled to center, Johnson taking third. Martinez sacrificed to the pitcher, Castro taking second. Hollandsworth doubled to right, Johnson and Castro scoring. Vizcaino fouled to first. Sheffield grounded to the pitcher. 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left.

SIXTH INNING: Dodgers 4, Diamondbacks 0--Bonilla singled to left. Mondesi homered to center, his 10th. Karros popped to first. Johnson struck out. Castro grounded to second. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left.

EIGHTH INNING: Dodgers 5, Diamondbacks 0--Bonilla tripled to right. Mondesi singled to center, Bonilla scoring. Karros grounded into a double play. Johnson flied to center. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left.

NINTH INNING: Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 0--Corey pitching. Castro singled to center. Martinez struck out. Hollandsworth singled to right, Castro stopping at third. Vizcaino singled to left, Castro scoring, Hollandsworth taking second. Sheffield was hit by a pitch, Hollandsworth taking third, Vizcaino taking second. Bonilla forced Sheffield, Hollandsworth scoring, Vizcaino taking third. Mondesi forced Bonilla. 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left.

Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 1--Brede homered to right, his second. Miller, pinch-hitting for Corey, struck out. Fox grounded to first. Bell grounded to third. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left.