Lo Duca Sparks Dodgers

By JASON REID

May 29, 2001 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

They engulfed Paul Lo Duca, hugged Shawn Green and applauded Marquis Grissom.

These Dodgers are getting accustomed to on-field celebrations, and they had another Monday after their second extra-inning victory in as many days, an 11-10, 11-inning thriller over the Colorado Rockies capped by Green’s bases-loaded single.

Green’s fly ball dropped just inside the left-field line, and Lo Duca--who tied a franchise record with six hits--scored the winning run from third to end a 4-hour, 3-minute game and start a party before 27,812 at Dodger Stadium.

“It’s unbelievable, and yet in my mind it’s not because of the belief I have in these guys,” said Manager Jim Tracy, whose club has won five in a row and is tied for first with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“I thought [Sunday’s 5-4, 12-inning victory over the Houston Astros] was fantastic. I don’t know what to say about today. That’s how special today was.”

Lo Duca, Green and Grissom played the biggest roles in helping the undermanned Dodgers overcome Eric Gagne’s latest shaky outing--seven runs (only two earned) and five hits, including Todd Helton’s first career grand slam.

Lo Duca became only the seventh player in club history to have six hits in a game, and the first since Willie Davis on May 24, 1973, against the New York Mets in a 19-inning game.

A day after getting three hits against Houston, Lo Duca was six for six, including a three-run home run in the sixth that pulled the Dodgers to within 8-7 and chased Colorado starter Pedro Astacio.

The overachieving catcher also had five singles, scored three runs and established a career high with four runs batted in.

Fans showed their appreciation with five standing ovations, and Lo Duca tipped his cap during the sixth-inning curtain call.

“It was real gratifying,” said Lo Duca, batting ..420.

“It’s unbelievable to have 30,000 people screaming for you, I’ll tell you that. It’s amazing and it’s something I’ve waited for my whole life. It’s the type of thing you dream about.

“It was a long haul [in the minors] for eight years, and a lot of time thinking and contemplating taking my shoes off and going home.

“I never got the chance [to play every day], and Trace gives me the chance to play every day. That’s all I asked for.”

Green was four for six with the game-winning hit against reliever Ron Villone (0-2), and Grissom had two hits and continued his strong performance on the home stand.

Grissom had a two-run double in the third, cutting the lead to 5-3 after shortstop Alex Cora’s team-leading 10th error in the top of the inning helped the Rockies score five runs.

And Grissom bunted for a hit to load the bases in the 11th with none out after noticing second baseman Todd Walker was playing too far from first base to get him.

Grissom, batting .500 since becoming the everyday left fielder, is hitting .483 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in his last 12 games.

Matt Herges (2-4)--the Dodgers’ sixth pitcher--also contributed with two scoreless innings after having done the same Sunday.

Herges’ outstanding work compensated for Gagne lasting only 3 2/3 innings, but he wanted to discuss his batterymate’s great day.

“I couldn’t be happier for him,” Herges said. “I’ve known him for a long time and we’ve played together for a long time.

“I take a lot of heat because I’m always pumping him up. When I’m down in the bullpen and he gets a hit, guys think I cheer for him more but it’s hard not too.

“I don’t want to say he was treated unfairly [by team officials], but he’s had to overcome a lot to get here. And look at him now.”

With Mark Grudzielanek sidelined because of a thumb injury and Gary Sheffield and Eric Karros on the disabled list, Lo Duca provided more than the Dodgers could have expected atop the order while sparking an 18-hit attack.

“Some guys don’t even do that their whole career, much less in one game,” Grudzielanek said of Lo Duca’s six hits.

“He definitely looked awesome up there.

“He had some great approaches and made some great adjustments. What can you say? It was just phenomenal. Phenomenal.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Six-Pack

Most hits in a game by a Dodger:

6--George Cutshaw, Aug, 9, 1915

6--Jack Fournier, June 29, 1923

6--John DeBerry, June 23, 1929*

6--Walter Gilbert, May 30, 1931

6--Cookie Lavagetto, Sept. 23, 1939

6--Willie Davis, May 24, 1973**