Dodgers Look at the Big Picture

The Dodgers were delighted with James Baldwin’s first start.

They were less enthusiastic about the outcome of the game--a 3-2 loss Sunday night to the Colorado Rockies before a sellout crowd of 54,556 at Dodger Stadium.

The newcomer impressed in an efficient eight-inning outing after being acquired Thursday from the Chicago White Sox.

Some baseball officials said the four-player trade was a lopsided deal in favor of the National League West leaders, and the right-hander did nothing to alter that perception.

Baldwin mixed sharp breaking pitches with a fastball consistently around 90 mph, giving up only Todd Helton’s 31st home run, a go-ahead two-run shot in the sixth, among seven hits.

“The guy we acquired the other day lived up to his billing in a big way,” said Manager Jim Tracy, whose team turned four double plays, three behind Baldwin.

“It’s obvious after just one time out that this guy is going to be a big help to this club over the course of these last two months of the season. There’s no question about it.”

Said Colorado Manager Buddy Bell: “It was a hell of a trade. He’s going to make a nice addition to their staff.”

However, Baldwin’s first outing ended badly for the Dodgers (61-45), and especially catcher Paul Lo Duca, whose mixed performance contributed to the team’s third loss in 16 games.

The leadoff batter produced the game’s first run in the first with his third leadoff homer (No. 17) against Colorado rookie right-hander Shawn Chacon, who worked seven strong innings in a no-decision.

But Lo Duca fouled out in the eighth with the score tied, 2-2, and Alex Cora at third. Cora was stranded when Mark Grudzielanek grounded out.

Lo Duca committed a costly throwing error in the ninth after Jeff Cirillo doubled off setup man Matt Herges (8-8). Lo Duca’s attempted pickoff throw to second was wild, allowing Cirillo to advance to third. Cirillo scored on Alex Ochoa’s single to right.

“James threw the ball well,” said Lo Duca, leading Dodger regulars with a .341 batting average.

“They [Baldwin and Herges] both did their jobs today and I didn’t. I didn’t get the hit when we needed it, and then I threw the ball into center field.

“Bottom line, I just didn’t get the job done. Just one of those days.”

Shawn Green singled with one out in the ninth and Eric Karros walked, but closer Jose Jimenez struck out Marquis Grissom and Adrian Beltre to record his 14th save and preserve the victory for reliever Jay Powell (3-2).

The last-place Rockies (44-61) salvaged a victory in the four-game series, ending a losing streak at four games.

Despite the loss, the Dodgers maintained a 1 1/2-game lead over the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks.

Arizona was swept in a four-game series by the suddenly hot San Francisco Giants.

Baldwin did his part and was pleased to start well, but the loss tempered his mood.

“I was a little nervous out there, especially coming into the National League,” Baldwin said. “I’m happy about the outing, I’m not happy about the loss. I just wanted to keep the guys in the ballgame.

“Being with this ballclub . . . these guys made me feel at home. They just told me to go out and have fun, and that’s what I did.”

Baldwin had excellent command, throwing 81 strikes in 108 pitches. He had three strikeouts and a walk.

“I don’t know what the ball-strike ratio was in the eighth inning, but after the seventh, I believe I saw something like 75 strikes and 23 balls,” Tracy said. “His tempo, his demeanor on the mound . . . you have to be impressed with what we’ve got there.”

Gary Sheffield hit his 25th homer in the sixth to tie the score, but the Dodgers uncharacteristically squandered an opportunity and the Rockies capitalized for a change.

“Today, they pitched pretty good,” Baldwin said. “But I feel good about the situation here with the Dodgers, and I think we can go a long way.”

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THE WEST

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W L GB Dodgers 61 45 -- Arizona 59 46 1 1/2 San Francisco 57 49 4 San Diego 51 54 9 1/2 Colorado 44 61 16 1/2

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