Adams Starts and Dodgers Are Relieved

The Dodgers are practicing patience because Terry Adams is new to the job and they have few options.

Adams produced an encouraging performance in a 7-3 victory Wednesday over the San Francisco Giants before 41,161 at Pacific Bell Park.

The former reliever had his longest outing in five starts, pitching seven innings to help the Dodgers take the final game of the three-game series and two of three.

Adams (3-2) overcame six walks and early command problems in earning his first victory as a starter after four no-decisions.

He scattered seven hits in a 115-pitch effort and gave up three runs--but none after the Giants took a 3-0 lead in the second. Matt Herges pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game.

Adams said he should have been more efficient, but Manager Jim Tracy was pleased.

Tracy acknowledges Kevin Brown and Chan Ho Park need help in the rotation, and Adams provided a boost.

“That was a tremendous lift for Terry Adams’ confidence,” Tracy said. “And having said that, I think a big lift for our ballclub too.

“For him to go seven innings, get his first win as a starter and know that there’s still room for improvement, I think that’s very encouraging. Not only for him, but for our ballclub.”

Adams focused on improving.

“It was a struggle from the first inning. I just battled, made pitches when I had to and got out of some tough jams all game,” said Adams, who had four strikeouts. “I really didn’t have the best stuff in the world and location. I put guys on base pretty much every inning.

“But it was very gratifying, when you don’t have your best stuff, to have your teammates go out there and pick you up. To get my first big league win as a starter . . . I’m very grateful for it.”

The Dodgers were resilient for the second time in less than 24 hours, rallying again after Tuesday’s wild 14-8 victory.

Paul Lo Duca, who established a personal best with six runs batted in Tuesday, and Marquis Grissom each had two run-scoring singles to lead a 12-hit attack.

Tom Goodwin had a single and a run-scoring triple and scored two runs, and Gary Sheffield and Shawn Green, making his first start at first base, had run-scoring singles.

Starter Livan Hernandez (6-10) gave up 11 hits and seven runs (five earned) in 5 2/3 innings.

Barry Bonds beat the Dodgers’ shift with an opposite-field double and drove in a run in the first inning, but the majors’ home-run leader had a frustrating series.

Bonds, who has 39 homers, was one for 11 without a homer against the Dodgers.

On April 17, Adams gave up Bonds’ 500th homer, and the shot was replayed on the ballpark’s video screen while Adams warmed up before the fifth.

The Giants weren’t happy about it.

“There’s no need for disrespect during a ballgame,” second baseman Jeff Kent said. “I’m not saying it was disrespectful, but it was kind of tough. You don’t need to turn the knife like that.”

Bonds popped up for the final out in the fourth against Adams with the bases loaded and the score tied, 3-3.

Adams downplayed the matchup.

“Like I’ve been saying,” Adams said, “this wasn’t about me and Barry.”

The Dodgers agreed, saying Adams’ overall performance was the key.

“T.A. was huge for us,” Green said. “We need to have starting pitching come through like that.

“For him to go out there and throw seven strong innings, especially after giving up three runs early in the game, was big. He’s valuable in the bullpen, but he’s also valuable in the rotation.”

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