Herges Steals Show in Relief

Hollywood isn’t courting Matt Herges at the moment, but give it time because the public craves feel-good stories.

The Dodger rookie reliever’s career qualifies, and Herges added another page to the script Friday night during a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Cinergy Field.

Herges pitched 2 2/3 hitless innings to earn his first major league victory after eight seasons in the Dodger farm system. He worked out of a two-on, one-out jam after relieving rookie starter Eric Gagne in the fifth, inducing a double-play grounder from Dmitri Young.

The right-hander increased his scoreless-innings streak to 11 while helping the Dodgers win the series opener on a dreary night before a crowd of 34,458. Many members of Herges’ family and friends traveled from his hometown in nearby Champaign, Ill., to watch the longtime minor leaguer in action.

They got an added bonus.

“The only word for me to describe this is ‘grateful,’ ” said Herges, who received the ball as a memento. “First, to make the opening-day roster, second to get in that opening game and third to have [Dodger Manager] Davey [Johnson] keep throwing me out there. I’m just grateful.

“I’d like to sit back and enjoy it, but I can’t. I mean, I am enjoying it, but I can’t rest. If I rest, that’s when the hits come, that’s when the runs come.”

Several Dodgers had big games offensively in support of Gagne, Herges and Terry Adams, who pitched two scoreless innings for his second save.

Shortstop Kevin Elster continued his surprising comeback. He had three hits and capped the Dodgers’ victory with a ninth-inning grand slam--his fourth home run--against Norm Charlton.

Catcher Todd Hundley also had three hits, including his third homer. And Mark Grudzielanek and Adrian Beltre each contributed two-run singles.

The Reds’ night took a bad turn in the second when all-star shortstop Barry Larkin severely injured his left hand.

Larkin tore ligaments in his middle finger while diving for a ball hit by Grudzielanek during the second inning. The 1995 National League most valuable player was put on the 15-day disabled list after undergoing surgery, and is expected to be sidelined two to four weeks.

The game’s start was delayed 27 minutes because the umpires didn’t have uniforms or equipment. The crew worked a series in Montreal on Thursday, and some of their luggage wasn’t loaded aboard a connecting flight from New York.

The Reds purchased uniforms, shoes and protective gear for the umpires from a local sporting-goods store, and needed a police escort to get the gear to the stadium because of heavy construction downtown. It was 42 degrees at game time, so the Reds also provided cold-weather apparel, including sweaters, undergarments and gloves.

Cincinnati starter Steve Parris (1-3) struggled after the delay. Parris gave up seven hits and was charged with five runs in two-plus innings.

Herges’ first victory will be the Dodgers’ main memory from the evening.

“He’s outstanding,” Johnson said of Herges, who worked 769 innings in the minors before making his big-league debut last season.

“He’s been outstanding for a while now. He’s throwing that little sinker with that fastball and he’s been getting the job done. He’s been great for me, just great.”

Gagne matched his personal best with eight strikeouts. However, he threw too many pitches and worked only 4 1/3 innings.

Johnson wanted Gagne to complete the fifth to earn his first victory of the season but removed him after he threw his 117th pitch. Herges entered with runners on first and third.

On his second pitch, he induced the inning-ending grounder from Young. Herges then worked two more scoreless innings before Adams took over.

Only one runner reached base safely against Herges--on Elster’s two-out error in the seventh.

“He pitched his butt off,” said Elster, who hit three homers against the San Francisco Giants April 11. “I go throw that ball away and he comes right back and gets us out of the inning. He was just awesome tonight. Awesome.”