Any Win a Good Sign at This Point

The Dodgers avoided being swept Sunday afternoon in a 7-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves, boosting team morale.

One victory won’t solve their problems, but the Dodgers said defeating the talented Braves is a good start.

“We needed that for our mental state more than anything,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “When you lose six out of seven any win is big.”

Left fielder Gary Sheffield agreed.

“We obviously needed this one badly,” he said. “We put ourselves in a tough position and we have to get out of it.

“The only way we’re going to be able to do that is to start winning some games. You have to have something to build on and that’s what we got today.”

Leadoff batter Tom Goodwin got the Dodgers started.

His two-out, two-run single in the fifth inning against Atlanta starter Andy Ashby (8-9) gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.

The Dodgers hit three home runs to take command, but Goodwin’s hit was the key, many players said.

“Goodwin got the big one,” Sheffield said. “Ashby was throwing good and Goodwin got the hit that kind of jump-started our offense.”

The Dodgers turned three double plays, two behind starter Darren Dreifort (10-7).

“We made clutch defensive plays at clutch times, and [catcher Todd Hundley] did a heck of a job back there,” said Dreifort, who bruised his pitching hand after he barehanded B.J. Surhoff’s one-hopper to the mound in the third.

“The bullpen picked me up for four innings, you can’t ask for more than that. All I did was deliver the pitches.”

Dreifort’s contribution was more significant, Goodwin said.

“The story today was Dreifort and defense,” Goodwin said. “He battled his butt off.”

*

Third baseman Adrian Beltre’s team-leading 18th error contributed to the Braves’ first run in the first inning.

But Beltre also made a sensational over-the-shoulder catch in foul ground for the first out in the ninth.

The Braves had runners at first and second and none out after consecutive singles against Dodger closer Jeff Shaw.

Beltre ran far into foul ground to catch Chipper Jones’ popup near the stands. Shaw then struck out Surhoff and Andres Galarraga to end the game.

“It was a remarkable catch,” second baseman Mark Grudzielanek said. “No question about it.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Florida Marlins, three games.

* Site--Pro Player Stadium.

* Tonight--4 PDT.

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2 every game.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Records--Dodgers 60-56, Marlins 58-59.

* Record vs. Marlins--6-0.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(10-4, 2.47 ERA)

vs.

MARLINS’

JESUS SANCHEZ

(7-8, 4.65 ERA)

* Update--Brown had a no-decision Aug. 9 in the Chicago Cubs’ 5-4 victory at Dodger Stadium. Brown gave up nine hits and four runs in six innings, marking only the sixth time this season he has worked fewer than seven innings. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA against the Marlins. The Dodgers swept the Marlins in three-game series April 28-30 at Dodger Stadium and May 19-21 at Pro Player Stadium.

* Tuesday, 4 p.m.--Matt Herges (8-1, 3.16) vs. Ryan Dempster (10-8, 3.86).

* Wednesday, 4 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (11-8, 3.97) vs. A.J. Burnett (1-3, 4.03).