Dodgers Still at Full Power

The Dodgers apparently have something good going because even Carlos Perez has joined the fun.

The shaky left-hander did his part Sunday afternoon and benefited from another big offensive show during an 11-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that completed a three-game sweep.

The Dodgers swept the Reds in a three-game series at Cincinnati for the first time since 1988, pounding Red pitchers in the process. They had 37 hits, including eight home runs, and scored 36 runs, making things appear easy.

The final game was business as usual--and a forgettable Easter experience for many among 29,124 at Cinergy Field.

“Top to bottom, this lineup is productive,” Manager Davey Johnson said after the Dodgers’ 1,000th victory against the Reds. “Thirty-six runs against this ballclub is very productive.

“We got good pitching and we jumped all over their staff. It’s just a real good way to start a trip.”

The Dodgers scored their most runs during a three-game series since producing 38 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field from June 29 through July 1, 1996. Cincinnati hadn’t given up 36 runs in a three-game span since 1981 and hadn’t allowed this many in a series since 1969.

“When you put up as many runs as we are, it makes it easier on everyone,” said first baseman Eric Karros, who singled and scored.

“We got into their bullpen, and that’s what made the series for us.”

The Dodgers broke the game open with eight runs in the sixth, sending 11 batters to the plate. The Reds helped with two errors, a passed ball and wild pitch, and Shawn Green capped the club’s biggest inning of the season with his third home run--a two-run shot to left-center.

Todd Hundley started things earlier with a second-inning homer batting right-handed, something the switch-hitter hadn’t done since July 7, 1997, while playing for the New York Mets.

The two-run blast to left off Cincinnati starter Ron Villone (2-1) gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead, and they didn’t trail again. Hundley’s previous right-handed homer also came against the Reds.

Perez (2-1), who gave up two runs, struggled in the fifth--his final inning--and needed help to escape a jam. Green provided a boost.

The right fielder nailed Dante Bichette at the plate with a perfect one-hop throw to Hundley on Sean Casey’s two-out single, preserving a 3-2 lead and adding another downer to the Reds’ miserable weekend.

“It’s a good sign when we’re scoring a lot of runs and we haven’t really hit our stride yet,” said Green, who went three for four. “That’s a great sign.”

Holding form, the bullpen did its job well. Matt Herges pitched a scoreless sixth to push his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 12.

Mike Fetters was perfect in the seventh, and Orel Hershiser, recently bumped from the rotation, gave up only one run in the eighth after facing a one-out, bases-loaded jam. Closer Jeff Shaw pitched the ninth in a non-save situation.

“Carlos threw the ball well,” Johnson said. “He pitched [in relief Wednesday], so I figured if I could get five innings out of him, that would be enough.

“I had a fresh bullpen, so I could give some guys work today.

“But Carlos really did a good job.”

Perez had been dejected after briefly being optioned to triple-A Albuquerque earlier this month, and skipped in the rotation during the first homestand. He changed his attitude on the trip, saying he accepts his situation and will do his best in whatever role the club gives him.

He was in a great mood Sunday morning, playing and laughing with teammates before taking the mound. The relaxed approach suited him well against the Reds.

Perez gave up nine hits, including a solo homer to Alex Ochoa in the fifth. He had good command, striking out one without a walk while throwing 50 strikes among 78 pitches.

“It’s like I said, ‘Whatever they want to do with me, that’s not a problem,’ ” Perez said. “If we keep playing like this, we’re going to be great all year.”