Park Helps Keep Rockies in the Basement, Then Shaw Closes the Door to the Cellar

The Dodgers remained ahead of the Colorado Rockies in the battle of the worst teams in the National League West with a 5-4 victory Saturday afternoon at Coors Field.

Chan Ho Park gave up only one run during six strong innings and closer Jeff Shaw struck out Kurt Abbott to end the game with the potential tying run at third. Shaw pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 33rd save and preserve the victory for Park (11-10), who won his fifth straight decision--matching a career high--before a crowd of 44,945.

Gary Sheffield had a run-scoring double and a solo home run--his 26th homer--to pace the Dodgers’ nine-hit attack. The fourth-place Dodgers (68-80) moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the last-place Rockies (67-82) in their bid to avoid the division basement.

Granted, that’s not setting the bar very high for a team with an $80-million payroll, but at this point, that’s the only goal the Dodgers have in their sights.

“Well, it’s never easy here, is it?” Dodger Manager Davey Johnson said, alluding to the homer-friendly ballpark. “I thought Chan Ho did a good job in a tough place to pitch. He didn’t overthrow nearly as much as he has in the past.

“He overthrew a little bit, but he made the pitches when he had to throw ‘em. When he relaxes and pitches, he has great stuff. That’s the key for him. I was just really pleased with his effort.”

Park gave up only four hits--and no homers. The Rockies scored their only run against Park in the sixth on Jeff Barry’s bloop single to center after Abbott tripled to open the inning.

Park left with a 3-1 lead. Right-handed setup man Alan Mills didn’t fare as well as Park, giving up five hits--including Vinny Castilla’s 31st homer--and three earned runs in two innings.

Pinch-hitter Terry Shumpert singled to start the ninth against Shaw. With two out and Abbott batting, Shumpert stole second and advanced to third on catcher Paul LoDuca’s throwing error. Abbott struck out on a half-swing.

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Darren Dreifort will be moved back even further in the starting rotation because his stiff shoulder has not improved, Johnson said.

Johnson had decided the right-hander would start Tuesday instead of Monday to give his shoulder more rest after the discomfort forced him from his last start. Now, Johnson hopes Dreifort will be able to start next Sunday.

Rookie right-hander Eric Gagne is scheduled to take Dreifort’s turn Monday. Rookie left-hander Jeff Williams is expected to make his major league debut in Dreifort’s place Tuesday.

“I’m not going to take any chances with him,” Johnson said of Dreifort, who also experienced stiffness at the end of last season. “This year is pretty much over, and I don’t want to do anything that might impact next season.”

Dreifort has pitched well recently to even his record at 13-13 and lower his earned-run average to 4.79. He has pitched 178 2/3 innings after pitching 180 innings during his first season in the rotation last season.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ KEVIN BROWN (16-8, 2.99 ERA) vs. ROCKIES’ JOHN THOMSON (1-7, 7.95 ERA)

Coors Field, noon PDT

TV--Channel 5 Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--Brown has a 1.66 earned-run average in his last 11 starts. He has won seven of his last nine decisions.