Little Ball, Big Results

For seven innings Tuesday night, Arizona starter Miguel Batista confounded and confused the Dodgers.

Then, in the eighth, Dodger leadoff man Dave Roberts disrupted Batista.

Roberts, who got things going with a bunt single before stealing second base, ignited a five-run inning and the Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks, 6-1, in front of 34,032 at Dodger Stadium.

“I try to be a little pest out there,” said Roberts, who had two hits, scored two runs and stole two bases to run his season steal total to 39, second in the National League.

“Hopefully, when I get on base, I can be enough of a distraction and put enough pressure on that pitcher that he makes a bad pitch and the batter can drive me in. Or I can take a base.”

How big was Roberts in the eighth? It was the most runs Arizona had given up in an inning since July 21 and the Diamondbacks had not given up four runs in a game since Aug. 4.

Dodger Manager Jim Tracy praised his first-year leadoff man.

“What can you not say about this guy that isn’t good? He’s been an invaluable piece that’s been missing here, the catalyst,” Tracy said of Roberts, who joined the Dodgers as part of a three-player trade with the Cleveland Indians on Dec. 20.

“He’s a guy that understands as a base runner when to go and when not to go. He fuels a lot of positive things for this team. Not only does he steal a lot of bases, he steals a lot of big bases.”

And not only did he jump-start things for the Dodgers on the base paths, Roberts’ fleet-of-foot fielding in center and decent arm cut down a Diamondback go-ahead run in the fourth when he threw out Luis Gonzalez at the plate to end the inning.

“Someone asked me the other day who the MVP of this team is--[Eric] Gagne or [Shawn] Green,” Tracy said. “I’d say Roberts is a third candidate who makes that process much more difficult. The Dodgers have not seen anyone like him since Brett Butler.”

With the win, the Dodgers (76-56) maintained their 2 1/2-game lead over the San Francisco Giants, who beat Colorado, 7-4, for the National League wild-card berth and are eight games behind the defending World Series champion Diamondbacks (84-48) in the West.

Dodger right-hander Paul Shuey (4-2) got the win with two innings of perfect relief while Batista (7-8) took the loss. Until the eighth, Batista had surrendered one run on four hits.

Dodger starter Hideo Nomo, who had lost once in his previous 19 starts, going 10-1 with a 3.33 earned-run average, equaled a season-high with 10 strikeouts in seven innings.

It was the third time Nomo struck out 10 this year and the 31st time in his career he had at least 10 strikeouts.

With Nomo out of the picture and not eligible for a decision, Roberts dropped his bunt between Batista and Arizona first baseman Erubiel Durazo with one out in the eighth. Roberts took off for second on the first pitch thrown to Mark Grudzielanek, beating Arizona catcher Chad Moeller’s throw.

After Grudzielanek struck out, Batista intentionally walked Green. A shaken Batista then hit Adrian Beltre in the back with his first pitch, sending Lo Duca to the plate with the bases loaded.

On a 2-and-1 pitch, Lo Duca, who entered the game batting .201 in the second half of the season, singled to right off Arizona second baseman Junior Spivey’s glove to score Roberts and Green, spelling the end for Batista.

It was the third straight Dodger win in which Lo Duca had the game-winning RBI. .