Vizcaino Gives Team a Going-Away Present

Goodbye, Jose Vizcaino.

The Dodgers appreciate the help before the door closed.

The reserve infielder’s second stint with the club ended Tuesday night when he was traded to the New York Yankees for catcher Jim Leyritz and cash considerations--after his key infield single sparked a four-run, 10th inning in a 9-6 victory over the Houston Astros.

The pinch-hitter’s one-out, run-scoring single to short provided the go-ahead run, and Gary Sheffield capped the inning with a three-run home run--his team-leading 21st homer--before a disappointed crowd of 36,354 at Enron Field. Vizcaino drove in Paul LoDuca from second base after LoDuca ran for Chad Kreuter, who opened the inning with a double down the right-field line.

The Dodgers rallied in their first game of a six-game trip after closer Jeff Shaw gave up a tying home run to Jeff Bagwell in the bottom of the ninth--his sixth blown save in 18 opportunities. They had five hits in the 10th and batted around against Joe Slusarski (1-4). The Astros dropped to 25-44.

Matt Herges (4-0) got three quick outs after relieving Shaw in the ninth with runners at first and second and none out. Mike Fetters gave up a run in the 10th but completed the victory for the Dodgers (37-31).

And Vizcaino did his part before unexpectedly leaving.

“This is surprising, but this is baseball and you have to be prepared,” said Vizcaino, informed of the deal after the game ended. “You always want to play at home, and that’s why I signed back with the Dodgers [in 1998], but this is a business.”

The Dodgers traded Vizcaino, 33, for a key member of the Yankees’ 1996 and ’99 World Series championship teams. Leyritz, 36, will be used as the main right-handed batting pinch-hitter and as an emergency catcher.

The Dodgers wanted another power hitter for the bench because reserve outfielder Geronimo Berroa is on the disabled list. Berroa suffered a broken left foot and there is no timetable for his return.

Leyritz batted .231 with one homer and four runs batted in for the Yankees. He hit an important homer in the Yankees’ ‘96 World Series victory over the Atlanta Braves and played a big role in the San Diego Padres’ National League championship in ’98.

Leyritz is making $1.25 million on a one-year contract. Vizcaino is making $3.5 million in the final year of a three-year, $9.5-million deal.

“He’s going to be the bat off the bench for us,” said General Manager Kevin Malone, who was finalizing the deal during Vizcaino’s at-bat in the 10th. “We don’t know how long Berroa is going to be out, and [Manager] Davey [Johnson] needed an extra bat.

“Leyritz brings championship experience to our bench and he’s a third catcher. Viz will get more chances to play with the Yankees, so this is a deal that will help both teams.”

Vizcaino played sparingly this season because of the emergence of young shortstop Alex Cora, and the strong performance of second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.

On Tuesday, Grudzielanek was three for five and walked to force in the go-ahead run in the eighth. Cora had a run-scoring double in the second and scored a run.

In 40 games for the Dodgers this season, Vizcaino batted .204 with four RBIs. Shortstop is his best position, but he also plays second and third base.

“Viz is a great guy and a great player,” Johnson said. “He did all I asked of him, and it’s always tough when you trade one of the good guys. It’s only fitting he got the [key] hit in the 10th.”

Vizcaino began his career with the Dodgers and was the opening-day shortstop in ’98 after returning to the team. He also has played for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants.

“It didn’t go my way here,” Vizcaino said. “I guess the Yankees need a second baseman who can play defensively [because Chuck Knoblauch has become a liability with his throwing], so I guess I’ll get more playing time over there.”

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