L.A. Gets a Good Deal More Out of Dreifort

The Dodgers discussed trading Darren Dreifort recently despite his talent because only production matters.

Dreifort is producing again.

The hard-throwing right-hander won his third start in a row Friday night, throwing 5 2/3 hitless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium.

Dreifort (7-7) overpowered the Phillies in seven shutout innings to help the Dodgers take the opener of the three-game series before 20,110.

The Phillies struggled against his sharp slider and moving fastball, getting only Mickey Morandini’s two-out double in the sixth and Scott Rolen’s leadoff single in the seventh. Dreifort has not given up a run in 18 1/3 innings.

“That’s why you don’t move a Darren Dreifort,” said General Manager Kevin Malone, who has resisted trading Dreifort against the wishes of some in the organization. “You search the whole world for guys with stuff like his, with his type of makeup.

“The results weren’t as good as we would have hoped for at some points, and a lot clubs were just waiting for us to say we would move him, but you can’t give up on a guy like this. You just can’t do it.”

Dreifort maintained his poise in the seventh when Philadelphia had runners on first and second and none out. Pinch-hitter Rico Brogna bounced into a double play, and pinch-hitter Kevin Jordan grounded out to end Dreifort’s impressive work.

“The results are everything, and the biggest result of all is that we’re winning games,” said Dreifort, 3-0 with a 1.29 earned-run average since the All-Star break. “That’s all I care about.”

Philadelphia starter Omar Daal (2-11) also pitched well in his five-inning debut after being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Curt Schilling trade, but the Phillies made a costly two-out, bases-loaded mistake in the third inning, leading to the game’s only runs.

Eric Karros drove in the Dodgers’ first run when his infield popup dropped between three Phillies to the right of the mound, and Adrian Beltre followed with a run-scoring single.

“I should have had two [runs batted in] on that,” Karros joked. “Obviously, there was some miscommunication.”

Philadelphia right fielder Bobby Abreu nailed Gary Sheffield at the plate on Beltre’s single, and Sheffield jammed his left knee and slightly strained his left ankle.

The major league home run leader stayed in the game and said he’s fine, adding to the Dodgers’ good news.

Their bullpen continued to provide strong relief with setup man Mike Fetters working a perfect eighth, and reinstated closer Jeff Shaw a hitless ninth for his team-leading 16th save.

The Dodgers (55-47) are 4-1 on their 10-game trip, and have won 10 of 13. They improved to a season-high eight games above .500 for the second time while keeping the heat on the division-leading Diamondbacks and second-place San Francisco Giants.

The Dodgers trail Arizona by 2 1/2 games and are feeling good about their rotation--Dreifort especially.

“The last three times out, Dreif has been really special,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “Tonight, he was really special again . . . just smooth.

“He got into a little trouble in that one inning [the seventh] and got out of it. Just another outstanding effort.”

One of the Dodgers’ best this season by someone not named Kevin Brown.

Dreifort overwhelmed the Phillies (44-57) from the outset in their fourth consecutive defeat.

The Phillies had only five baserunners against him on two hits, two walks and a batter being hit by a pitch. Morandini and Rolen were the only Phillies to reach third.

“When Dreif is throwing his true slider, it just seems to disappear,” said Shaw, who has converted his last four save opportunities. “It’s something.”

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Pitching In

DARREN DREIFORT

A look at Dreifort’s numbers over his last three games compared to his numbers before that:

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Last 3 Other 16 Record 3-0 4-7 Innings 21 88 Hits 8 100 Earned Runs 3 56 Walks 5 45 Strikeouts 23 76 ERA 1.29 5.73

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JEFF SHAW

A look at Jeff Shaw’s numbers since coming off the disabled list July 13, compared to his numbers before that:

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After Before Saves 4 12 Innings 7 2/3 27 Hits 4 40 Earned runs 0 24 Walks 1 10 Strikeouts 7 15 ERA 0.00 8.00

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