Karros, Dodgers Double Their Fun in 9-6 Victory

He was once considered the prototypical Dodger, but that era has long since ended at Chavez Ravine.

The Dodgers are seemingly redefining themselves daily, and Eric Karros is now just another guy along for the ride. That’s fine with Karros, because the slugger believes this trip may be the most rewarding of his career.

Karros played a key role in a 9-6 victory Friday night over the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium, matching his career high with four hits, helping to offset outfielder Gary Sheffield missing the game because of injury.

The first baseman also established a personal best and matched a Dodger record with three doubles, pacing a 17-hit attack as the Dodgers won for the fourth time in five games after suffering their first defeat against the Rockies Thursday. Starter Darren Dreifort needed the support, struggling through five shaky innings on another chilly night before 39,997.

The Rockies had runners at first and third with no out in the ninth inning when Vinny Castilla hit a liner that reliever Jeff Shaw caught. Shaw doubled Dante Bichette off first and then struck out Todd Helton to end the game.

The temperature at game time was 52 degrees and the wind was blowing hard, but Karros’ bat was hot from the opening pitch.

Karros matched his career high in hits for the ninth time, going four for five and scoring twice. Moreover, the eight-year veteran tied the Dodger single-game record for doubles, held by many. Henry Rodriguez was the last Dodger to have three doubles in a game, against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 13, 1994.

True to form, Karros didn’t celebrate his big night.

“I swung the bat well, I thought the fourth one [hit] was gone when I hit it,” Karros said. “But it’s way too early to get worked up about anything.

“It’s only one game in a long season, and you can’t get caught up in one game. You can get caught up in three, four, five games, but one game in a 162-game schedule just doesn’t mean a whole lot. I don’t think anyone can look at it like having a great season after only one game.”

But Karros is optimistic about this edition of the ballclub because of its experience and talent, and many other players made big contributions Friday. Devon White doubled and singled three times in five at-bats, driving in a run and scoring.

Manager Davey Johnson put Jose Vizcaino in the starting lineup, giving Mark Grudzielanek a day off, and Vizcaino responded well. He went two for five with a double and played flawlessly in the field.

Third baseman Adrian Beltre doubled and drove in two runs, and was sharp in the field. And outfielder Jacob Brumfield, starting in left in place of Sheffield, had a run-scoring single.

Sheffield left after batting in the fifth inning in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to Rockies because he experienced muscle stiffness in his right hip. With a muscle injury, Johnson did not want Sheffield playing on another chilly night, though he hopes Sheffield will be ready for today’s game.

“There’s no sense in pushing it, especially in this cool weather,” Johnson said. “You’re better off just being safe.”

Sheffield, who is listed as day to day, said he felt a twinge in his hip after catching a ball hit by Colorado leadoff batter Darryl Hamilton in the first.

Sheffield was unfazed by the pain, figuring it would go away. But after flying out in the fifth, Sheffield knew his work was done.

“I didn’t think much of it at the time, but after [he batted] I couldn’t run or anything,” Sheffield said. “I had a limp when I went back [into the dugout], and Davey told me to come out not to take any chances.”

It was cold again Friday, but Dreifort had problems that may not have been related to the weather. After battling control problems during spring training, Dreifort pitched on the edge throughout his first start.

Dreifort (1-0) gave up three hits and three runs--two earned. Dreifort struck out seven, but he walked six and threw three wild pitches in 98 overall, including only 54 strikes.