Dodgers’ Pulse Quickens

Their mission is clear, albeit difficult.

The Dodgers said they need three victories in four games against the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks to remain in postseason contention, acknowledging that the door is closing quickly in the National League West.

It’s still ajar.

The Dodgers twice rallied from two-run deficits Saturday afternoon, scoring three runs in the 11th inning and capping an improbable 6-5 victory on Adrian Beltre’s bases-loaded, two-run single before 40,215 at Dodger Stadium.

Beltre singled up the middle past diving shortstop Tony Womack, driving in Gary Sheffield and Paul Lo Duca to complete the club’s second extra-inning victory of the series and ignite celebrations in the crowd and on the field.

It was fitting that Lo Duca was among the mob around Beltre near the mound, because his clutch home run in the ninth provided the Dodgers’ first reprieve.

Lo Duca hit a two-run homer against Randy Johnson after Sheffield led off with a walk, tying the score, 3-3, ruining the left-hander’s eight-plus inning outing and preventing him from reaching the 20-victory plateau for the second time.

He also singled in the seventh to knock in the Dodgers’ first run against Johnson, and then continued to inspire his teammates.

“The key today was the way [Lo Duca] hit that home run in the ninth inning against Randy Johnson,” Beltre said. “ That was the big hit today. After that, we knew we could hit anybody.”

The Dodgers (80-69) overcame another awful performance by reliever Mike Trombley, who gave up a go-ahead, leadoff homer to Danny Bautista in the 11th and was charged with another run in the inning. Eric Gagne (5-7) got the final two outs with runners on first and second.

Trailing, 5-3, the Dodgers went to work against the Diamondbacks’ shaky bullpen.

Shawn Green, who doubled and scored in the seventh on Lo Duca’s single, singled against Brian Anderson.

Enter rookie right-hander Mike Koplove (0-1).

Sheffield walked on four pitches, and Koplove hit Lo Duca with a pitch to load the bases. Green scored when Eric Karros walked on a full count while checking his swing, cutting the lead to 5-4.

Mike Morgan, a 20-year veteran and former Dodger, relieved Koplove with the crowd anticipating something big.

Beltre delivered with his hit on a 1-and-0 count. Sheffield scored and was followed by Lo Duca, who easily beat center fielder Steve Finley’s high and wide throw.

“It just seems like every time our backs are against the wall ... let’s face it, if we lost this game today, we’re done,” Lo Duca said. “Bottom line, it was a huge win.”

Although the Dodgers still trail the leading St. Louis Cardinals by five games in the NL wild-card standings, they pulled back to within three games of Arizona (83-66) less than 24 hours after being pummeled, 10-0, and appearing eager to begin their off-season vacations.

That’s the way it has been with Manager Jim Tracy’s bunch this season, and it’s even a lot for him to handle.

“I had to regroup here for a couple of minutes,” an emotional Tracy said while speaking with reporters in his office. “They’re amazing. They refuse to let go.”

It wasn’t that type of day for the Dodgers at the start.

Johnson was dominant for eight innings, giving up only four hits and a run on Lo Duca’s seventh-inning single with eight strikeouts.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner had thrown 108 pitches entering the ninth, so Arizona Manager Bob Brenly stuck with him.

Sheffield walked and Lo Duca, seven for 18 in his career against Johnson, hit his 22nd homer into the left-field pavilion on a 2-and-1 fastball. “It was good pitch in the situation,” Johnson said. The Dodgers face another challenge today in Curt Schilling.

“We still have a chance,” Beltre said. “Schilling is not God.”