Nomo Pulls Double Duty

Dodger right-hander Hideo Nomo did not sink to the depths right fielder Shawn Green submerged to in early May--what’s the pitching equivalent of not hitting a ball out of the infield for five straight games?--and Nomo’s rebound wasn’t nearly as dramatic as that of Green, baseball’s hottest hitter for the last month.

But the two Dodgers have been on a parallel course this season. There was speculation Nomo would be demoted to the bullpen after four rocky starts, resulting in three losses and a no-decision from April 25-May 12, and Green was benched for a day when his average sank to .230 on May 17.

Green then went on his tear, Nomo went on his hot streak, and Wednesday night their paths crossed, with Nomo providing seven strong innings and Green hitting a two-run home run to lead the Dodgers to a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies before 25,083 in Dodger Stadium.

Nomo gave up two runs and two hits, solo home runs by Todd Zeile and Greg Norton in the fifth inning, struck out eight and walked two to improve to 8-5 and lower his earned-run average to 3.55. He is 6-0 with a 3.20 ERA in his last eight starts and hasn’t lost a decision since May 12.

Green followed Paul Lo Duca’s leadoff single in the fourth with a towering drive over the wall in center field for his 24th home run of the season, which ranks third in the National League. It is his 21st homer in his last 33 games.

Since May 21, Green is batting .358 (43 for 120) with 21 home runs and 40 runs batted in, and he leads the major leagues with 26 runs and 11 homers this month.

Closer Eric Gagne had his 12-inning scoreless streak ended when he gave up his first run since May 29, a span of 11 appearances, but he struck out Norton with a runner on third to end the game and record his major league-leading 28th save.

Nomo, who was hitless in 23 at-bats this season, also broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI double in the fifth, but it was his command on the mound that most impressed Dodger Manager Jim Tracy.

Nomo, who was perfect through four innings before giving up the homers in the fifth, ranks second in the league with 57 walks, one behind teammate Kazuhisa Ishii, but he worked ahead in the count for most of Wednesday night’s game, and he induced many weak swings with his split-fingered fastball.

“The pitches he threw early in the count for strikes completely took the sting out of their bats, and that’s what makes him so effective,” Tracy said. “He gave up two home runs, but they were solo. There was no more damage set up by walking someone before them.”

Green did his damage in the fourth, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead and continuing a five-week surge that has shown no signs of ending. Green’s 11-game hit streak ended Tuesday night, but there he was Wednesday night, tossing another pair of batting gloves into the crowd after his home run.

“I saw him get hot last year, and when this guy is mechanically sound, there’s not a whole lot you can do with him,” Tracy said. “You take your chances--it’s very similar to the guy in San Francisco [Barry Bonds], when he gets locked in. When the ball looks as big out of the pitcher’s hand as it does to Shawn Green right now, he’s as dangerous as anyone in baseball.”

Almost as stunning as Green’s run is the fact that opponents continue to pitch to him. Brian Jordan and, most recently, Eric Karros, have followed Green in the order, but Green has walked only 20 times in the last 33 games.

“That’s their decision to make,” Tracy said of opposing managers. “I get to make that decision in 19 games when Barry Bonds comes to bat. Karros has had some huge at-bats for this team. In my mind, if you want to take a pass at Green for a while, Karros will give you a heck of an at-bat. He’s done it several times this year.”

Green, who hit .297 with 49 homers and 125 RBIs last season, had three home runs and 21 RBIs on May 17, a sluggish start that put him on pace for 11 homers and 81 RBIs. Now, Green is batting .286 and is on pace for 50 homers and 128 RBIs.

“I’m just enjoying the ride,” Green said. “I don’t expect it to last.”