Saturday’s Loss Marks Season’s Lowest Moment

The Dodgers have experienced demoralizing situations throughout the season, but they said their lowest moment occurred Saturday.

The rival San Diego Padres clinched their second National League West division title in three seasons in an 8-7 come-from-behind victory over the Dodgers at Qualcomm Stadium. Watching San Diego celebrate was difficult enough for the Dodgers, but the way they lost the game compounded their trauma.

The Dodgers squandered a 7-0, fifth-inning lead. It marked their largest blown lead of the season, and provided another reason for the Dodgers to look toward the future.

“That one was probably the toughest one [loss],” third baseman Bobby Bonilla said. “[Starter Dave] Mlicki was pitching great, we’ve got a big lead, and everyone was feeling good. Then we just couldn’t get the ball over the plate after that.”

The Padres scored five runs in the sixth on five walks, two hits and a hit batter, taking an 8-7 lead. Rookie relievers Sean Maloney and Jeff Kubenka appeared rattled in the inning, the Padres said.

“At this point, what can you really say?” second baseman Eric Young said. “You’re up 7-0, you don’t expect that to happen.

“But as we’ve seen, a lot has happened that nobody wanted to see happen this season. But being up like that . . . that’s hard.”

It was especially painful for Manager Glenn Hoffman.

“We’ve had some tough ones, but that one would be right there,” Hoffman said. “You almost can’t believe it while it’s happening, but you know it’s happening because you’re watching it.”

*

Dodger right-hander Ismael Valdes pitched eight innings against the San Diego Padres on Sunday in his longest outing since he returned from the disabled list on Sept. 1.

Valdes gave up seven hits and four runs. He struck out seven and walked three while throwing 127 pitches, 84 for strikes, in a no-decision. It was his third start since he returned to the rotation.

“I was struggling a little bit at the beginning of the game, but I made some adjustments and made my pitches,” said Valdes, who missed six starts because of a strained stomach muscle. “It takes time to get sharp.

“I don’t know anybody who takes [five weeks] off and comes back sharp. It takes time to get your arm in shape.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Colorado Rockies, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports West 2 Tuesday, Wednesday.

* Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 76-74; Rockies 72-79.

* 1998 record vs. Rockies--4-5.

* Tickets--(213) 224-1448.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CARLOS PEREZ (9-13, 3.87 ERA) vs. ROCKIES’ BOBBY JONES (7-7, 5.43 ERA)

* Update--This series features struggling teams whose managers might not return next season. Dodger Manager Glenn Hoffman and Colorado Manager Don Baylor have endured difficult seasons. The Dodgers and Rockies were expected to be much better than they have been, and changes in Los Angeles and Denver might occur because of preseason expectations. The Rockies have been hot recently, with a season-high seven consecutive victories before losing to the San Francisco Giants, 4-3, on Sunday. Dodger left-hander Carlos Perez is 2-0 with a 1.85 earned-run average in his last three starts, and is the only member of the starting rotation to pitch back-to-back complete games this season. The Dodgers hope that reliever Mark Guthrie will return this week after being sidelined because of a sore throwing elbow. Colorado first baseman Todd Helton is making a strong run at the National League rookie-of-the-year award, which is expected to be won by Cub pitcher Kerry Wood. Helton leads all rookies with a .321 batting average, 161 hits, 22 home runs and 89 runs batted in.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (13-8, 3.87) vs. Darryl Kile (11-16, 5.34).

* Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.--Brian Bohanon (6-10, 2.81) vs. Jamey Wright (9-12, 5.69).