Dreifort Somehow Ends Drought

The Dodgers wanted a strong rebound performance from Darren Dreifort, who was chased after only two-plus innings in his last start.

Dreifort instead delivered a mixed performance, but it was enough Tuesday night in an 8-4 interleague victory over the Texas Rangers before 26,206 at Dodger Stadium.

The right-hander again struggled with his command and was on the ropes in a three-run, 40-pitch first inning, stirring boos among fans because Dreifort gave up eight earned runs last Thursday in a 13-9 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark.

Dreifort (4-5) eventually got the crowd back on his side.

He received a standing ovation when he was removed with two out in the sixth and the Dodgers leading, 8-4.

The good news for the Dodgers was that Dreifort gave up five hits and four runs (only two earned) in 5 2/3 innings, winning for the first time since May 16.

The bad news was that he walked five and threw only 57 strikes in 105 pitches, marking another inefficient start.

The Dodgers (35-30) supported Dreifort with 12 hits.

Alex Cora hit his third home run against Texas starter Mike Judd (1-1), a former Dodger prospect. Rookie Hiram Bocachica, playing for injured second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, hit his first big league homer--a two-run shot in the fourth again reliever Mark Petkovsek.

Left fielder Gary Sheffield was ejected in the seventh inning for arguing balls and strikes. Sheffield has been ejected twice this season.

Despite two victories in their last seven games, the Dodgers trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by only 3 1/2 games in the National League West.

The Rangers (22-41) are 27 1/2 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL West.

Starter Andy Ashby is scheduled to undergo season-ending elbow surgery Friday at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood. Team physicians Frank Jobe and Ralph Gambardella will perform the operation. . . . A severe right hamstring injury has slowed infielder Tim Bogar, who probably still would be on the disabled list if the Dodgers were not beset by injuries. “I can’t compete at the level I know I should, I can’t play shortstop at the major league level,” said Bogar, guaranteed $525,000 this season. “Maybe I can help this team in other ways.”

Infielder Jeff Reboulet, who left Monday’s game because of a strained left hamstring, said he felt better. “[A strained hamstring] is usually a couple of days for me,” Reboulet said. “It’s never been a 15-day thing for me.” . . . The Dodgers are optimistic that first baseman Eric Karros (sprained lower back) will be activated soon.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ GIOVANNI CARRARA

(0-1, 0.96 ERA)

vs.

RANGERS’ KENNY ROGERS

(3-3, 5.34 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net 2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Update--Carrara, making his second start, has been a pleasant surprise for the Dodgers. The journeyman right-hander pitched five solid innings last Friday in a 1-0 loss to the Angels at Dodger Stadium.