Sheffield Is Answer Again

Gary Sheffield credits the Dodgers with helping to recharge his passion for baseball.

And the boost is mutual.

The right fielder continued to stir excitement for his new team Monday afternoon with a 10th-inning, game-winning home run in a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros in front of 34,079 at the Astrodome.

On a 1-and-2 count against reliever Bob Scanlan (0-1), Sheffield hit a leadoff homer--his eighth home run--into the seats in left-center.

He had three hits and reached base in all five trips to the plate, continuing his torrid pace since joining the Dodgers May 15 in one of the franchise’s biggest deals.

Closer Scott Radinsky protected the one-run lead in the bottom of the 10th, securing his ninth save and the victory for reliever Jim Bruske (1-0), who pitched a scoreless ninth.

The victory moved the Dodgers’ record back to .500, at 25-25, in a game in which they overcame a shaky outing by starter Hideo Nomo, who tied his career high with seven walks--a mark the Dodger starter has reached four times, the most recent at Cincinnati on Aug. 10, 1996.

Sheffield was smiling and laughing after the game, not only because of the day’s events.

“There’s just a real good feeling on this team, and it’s something that makes you feel good to be a part of,” he said. “There is a lot of talent here, and everyone is just trying to win.

“We’re all contributing and picking each other up, because that’s what it’s about. I’ve had some hard times this year with some things, but coming [to the Dodgers] has been special for me.”

The “hard times” occurred when Sheffield was stuck with the Florida Marlins, who seemingly began slashing their payroll as soon as they won the 1997 World Series. Sheffield became disenchanted as he watched the Marlins being dismantled--and he wanted out.

He seized his opportunity May 15.

Sheffield agreed to waive a no-trade clause in his contract, completing the seven-player deal that sent former franchise player Mike Piazza--who has since been traded to the New York Mets--to the Marlins.

Sheffield has thrived in nine games as a Dodger, batting .469 (15 for 32) with two homers, nine RBIs and seven runs.

On Monday, Sheffield went three for three with the homer, a double and a single. He also stole a base and walked twice, increasing his on-base percentage to .585 (24 for 41) during that span.

“When he’s [in a zone] like that, I just sit back and enjoy,” said third baseman Bobby Bonilla, among the five players acquired in the deal with the Marlins.

“I hit behind him, and I stop what I’m doing to watch him hit. I’ve seen it before, but all I do is marvel at it.”

Bonilla has seen it more often recently and said the reason is obvious.

“A lot of it has to do with attitude,” Bonilla said. “He’s happy again, and that’s had a big effect.”

Sheffield agreed.

“It’s just hard when all those things are going on around you, and you’re stuck in the middle,” he said of the Marlins’ situation. “All I wanted to do was play for an organization that would be committed to winning.

“I was trying to stay focused when all that stuff was going on, but it’s hard. That’s why I feel so good to be here now.”

The Dodgers are pleased as well.

“You lose a guy like Mike Piazza, a career [.334] hitter, and you need to get a lot back in return, which we did,” Manager Bill Russell said. “We’ve got more options now, and [Sheffield] is a big one.

“A guy like Sheffield can do a lot of things for you. We needed a big hit today, and he was the right guy to have up there.”

Early on, it didn’t appear as though they would need Sheffield’s heroics.

The Dodgers staked Nomo to a 2-0 lead on a two-run home run by Jose Vizcaino in the first, but Nomo struggled with his control throughout.

He struck out eight, but in addition to the walks, the Dodger starter gave up eight hits and three runs in 6 2/3 innings. He threw 125 pitches, 66 strikes.

“He didn’t have his best stuff, but he kept battling,” said backup catcher Tom Prince, who started the game. “He kept us in the game, so that’s a good start in my mind.”

With the new-look Dodgers, that should often be enough.