Tightrope Act Works for Ishii

Kazuhisa Ishii did it again with the Dodgers’ help, rolling along despite his continuing command problems Sunday in a 6-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.

The left-hander followed a familiar pattern in improving to 9-1 and helping the second-place Dodgers take two of three from the National League West leaders, overcoming five walks and two home runs in an inefficient six-inning outing before a sellout crowd of 53,474.

Ishii added to his growing reputation as an escape artist, making enough timely pitches to win for the third time in as many starts despite seemingly facing jams in every inning.

The Dodgers did their part to help Ishii maintain a charmed life in his first season in the major leagues, scoring three runs in the sixth and seventh to rally from a 2-0 deficit. Arizona first baseman Mark Grace committed a costly error in the sixth, and Eric Karros’ three-run home run in the seventh against Diamondback starter Miguel Batista (2-3) provided the knockout punch.

Closer Eric Gagne overwhelmed Arizona in the ninth after setup man Paul Quantrill struggled, striking out pinch-hitter Steve Finley to record his 20th save in 21 opportunities and completing a 5-1 home stand for the Dodgers, who pulled within a game of the Diamondbacks.

Everything held to form with Ishii pitching, meaning the Dodgers were on the edge of their seats throughout and smiling at the end.

“It’s like I’ve been saying all year long in the case of Kazuhisa Ishii: There were a couple of situations that you would not like to see him get himself into,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “And yet, every time I’ve seen that happen, he makes a quality pitch and gets the man out.

“It’s not the formula that you prescribe for anybody ... but he has a tremendous ability of making quality pitches and getting big hitters out in big situations. Some of those situations, he has created for himself, but he has an uncanny ability to be able to [escape jams].”

Ishii gave up five hits, including homers to Arizona starter Batista, the second of his career, and Greg Colbrunn’s third this season. He also had six strikeouts while throwing 62 strikes in 104 pitches.

Although Ishii would prefer to make things easier for himself and the Dodgers, he is enthusiastic about the results.

“I think more than being lucky, I just try to give my team the best chance there is to win,” Ishii he said through an interpreter.

The Diamondbacks helped, stranding 11 runners and opening the door for the Dodgers. They capitalized in the sixth when Grace, a four-time Gold Glove winner, watched Shawn Green’s grounder go off his glove and into right field with none out, enabling Paul Lo Duca to score from second after his leadoff double.

The Dodgers also got run-scoring singles from Dave Hansen and Mark Grudzielanek to go ahead, 3-2. Arizona left runners on the corners in the seventh against Giovanni Carrara, setting the stage for Karros.

Green and Brian Jordan had consecutive two-out singles, and then Karros hit his fifth homer into the left-field pavilion on a 1-and-1 count.

Karros was more interested in Ishii’s day.

“It’s been pretty amazing,” Karros said. “He gets himself in some tough situations, but he always seems to get himself out.

“If it was happening once or twice or three times, then you’d say it was just coincidence or it was luck. But that seems to be the pattern for him. You’re on edge all the time, but so far it has worked.”