Highs and Lows for Relievers

Dennis Springer’s emotions have run the gamut in a week.

Like the rest of the nation, the Dodger pitcher saw the devastation of last Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. But on Friday, the Dodger reliever’s wife, Andi, gave birth to the couple’s second child, a 9-pound, 3-ounce boy named Will.

“Oh yeah, you’re glued to the TV, just can’t believe what’s going on and then all of a sudden it’s like you’re the happiest person in the world,” Springer said. “It doesn’t seem fair.”

Fellow Dodger reliever Mike Trombley’s wife, Barbara, also had a baby recently as she gave birth to a 7-pound, 10-ounce girl named Alexandria Kate on Monday.

“It makes you wonder and think about their future and hopefully they won’t have to go through anything like this,” Springer said.

“But at the same time, it puts a big old smile on your face, even though ... “

*

Manager Jim Tracy raised eyebrows Monday when he put Marquis Grissom at the top of the Dodger lineup.

Grissom was batting only .229, 44 points below his lifetime batting average entering the season, and had an on-base percentage of .260 while walking only 14 times and stealing six bases as a role player.

“I think that Marquis Grissom has to step up for us,” Tracy said. “In essence, in a little bit of a positive light, it’s a little bit of a challenge to Marquis Grissom, to say that, ‘Hey, I’m aware of what your on-base percentage is ... and taking walks.’

“But this is a guy that has been through what we’re about to go through over the course of these last three weeks and I think this guy can play a very positive role.”

Grissom, 34, was the most valuable player of the 1997 American League championship series with the Cleveland Indians and has played in three World Series (1995-97).

“It starts today, not next week but today,” Grissom said. “I’m trying to lead the team to a victory every day. I like the pressure, I ain’t afraid of it and I want it. So I’ve got no problem with [leading off].

“I’ve been in the leadoff spot 10 out of 12 years, so I’ve got a lot of experience there and it ain’t nothing new to me.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ TERRY ADAMS (12-6, 4.32 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ KEVIN JARVIS

(11-10, 4.72 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Update--Adams, who last started a game on Sept. 6, is 1-2 with a 3.19 earned-run average in 23 career appearances against the Padres. In his lone start against San Diego this season June 22, Adams did not earn a decision after giving up four runs in five innings of a 9-6 loss at Dodger Stadium. In three starts against the Dodgers this year, Jarvis is 0-1 with a 4.77 ERA. He is 1-3 with a 7.30 ERA in 10 career appearances against the Dodgers.