Good Start, Great Finish for Dodgers

Talk about the resurrection of pitcher Carlos Perez and catcher Todd Hundley might still be premature.

A quality start by Perez and a big game offensively by Hundley do not mark complete turnarounds.

Then again, the struggling players provided reason for optimism Saturday afternoon during a stirring 7-6 victory over San Francisco capped by Hundley’s second home run of the game--a towering three-run blast to right in the ninth inning against Giant closer Robb Nen.

Hundley’s clutch heroics got reliever Alan Mills (2-1) off the hook after San Francisco scored four runs in the eighth to take a 6-4 lead, the big blow being a three-run homer by Ellis Burks. Mills’ problems prevented Perez from earning his first victory in almost a month despite his strong 6 2/3-inning outing.

Dodger closer Jeff Shaw did what his Giant counterpart didn’t, pitching a scoreless ninth to earn his 18th save and second in as many days before a stunned crowd of 44,766 at 3Com Park. The Dodgers (34-38) have taken the first two games of the series, enabling them to remain a step ahead of last-place San Diego in the National League West.

The Dodgers pounded 15 hits against four Giant pitchers and hit three homers, including the seventh by Adrian Beltre. Hundley was the Dodgers’ biggest force, hitting multiple homers--Nos. 9 and 10--in a game for the ninth time in his career and driving in five runs.

The Giants stole three bases in three attempts, but Hundley appeared to throw better.

Perez finally did his thing and Hundley did his. That’s what Manager Davey Johnson has expected.

“A lot of great things happened today,” said Johnson, his face creased by a wide grin. “Carlos goes out and pitches a great game and Todd hits two bombs. I’ve been waiting on that.”

Perez and Hundley have as well.

The left-hander handled the Giants well in his first start after being briefly bumped from the rotation. Perez gave up seven hits and two runs and left with a 3-2 lead.

Perez had good velocity and worked efficiently, throwing 64 strikes in 91 pitches. He lowered his earned-run average from 7.38 to 6.92 and, moreover, regained his spot in the rotation, Johnson said.

That was welcomed news for Perez, who hasn’t had much to feel good about this season.

“I’ve been struggling, so I was just glad to have a good outing,” said Perez, who also established a personal best with three hits, drove in a run and was tagged out on the “hidden-ball play” by Giant first baseman J.T. Snow to end the fourth.

“My velocity was good, but I also got a lot of first pitches for strikes. That was very important to me. That helped me control the game. I don’t care about the no-decision. Now, I can get back to work.”

Perez’s batterymate is also back on the job.

Hundley has been the Dodger most burdened by the team’s disappointing performance. He was acquired in the off-season to provide left-handed power, but the switch-hitter has struggled while still recovering from reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow in 1997.

Hundley was slowed throughout spring training because of his elbow, and the effects have shown. Johnson demoted Hundley behind rookie Angel Pena on June 13 because Hundley has struggled against runners and at the plate.

Since then, Hundley has increased his individual work with bullpen coach Rick Dempsey, a longtime catcher. Hundley started for the first time Saturday, and the results couldn’t have been better for him or the Dodgers.

“I’ve been working hard with Rick Dempsey and [batting coach] Rick Down, and I think the work is paying off,” said Hundley, who has homered three times in seven at-bats in the series. “Everything that’s happened has made me appreciate it a lot more. The bottom line is results, and that’s what I’ve been working for all along.”

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KARROS OUT? He didn’t start Saturday, and management may want to make a deal for left-handed hitter. Page 7

GLAVINE WINS: Tom Glavine allowed four hits in seven innings as Atlanta beat New York, 7-2. Page 6

RED SOX ROLL: Boston’s 11-run first inning allowed Pedro Martinez to breeze past Chicago, 17-1. Page 8

ROSS NEWHAN: Todd Zeile looks at the Dodgers from the middle of his new “family” in Texas. Page 10