Brown Dazzles Diamondbacks

There was a time when the Dodgers watched Kevin Brown in awe and tried not to get in his way.

Maybe they’re finally ready to keep pace.

The Dodgers put on another show Wednesday night while the former staff ace stirred memories of his impressive past, and the combination produced a 5-0 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks before 30,374 at Bank One Ballpark.

Brown overpowered the Diamondbacks in six-plus innings, earning the victory and building on a strong exhibition performance after consecutive injury-plagued seasons. Shawn Green was four for four with his first home run, driving in three runs and pacing a 12-hit attack, and Cesar Izturis was three for three as the Dodgers ruined the Diamondback debut of right-hander Elmer Dessens.

The Dodgers turned two double plays while sparkling defensively, led by center fielder Dave Roberts.

It was a great night all around for the Dodgers as they took two of three from the two-time defending National League West champions. Manager Jim Tracy expects many more from a club he believes is finally back among baseball’s elite.

“We like our pitching, and I think you can make a strong argument that this team has the capabilities of being as good defensively as many of the best Dodger defensive teams that you can recollect,” he said. “And to have Kevin Brown pitching the third game for you, I think that speaks to the type of rotation that you have.”

The right-hander displayed the power and precision he had struggled so long to regain while battling back and elbow problems, retiring the Diamondbacks in order in the first, second, fourth and sixth despite being weakened by a cold. Brown had four strikeouts and one walk, throwing 42 strikes in 72 pitches.

He gave up only an opposite-field double to David Dellucci in the third, and singles to Steve Finley in the fifth and Junior Spivey in the seventh. Tracy removed Brown after Craig Counsell walked and Spivey singled to start the seventh.

“He’s got lefties coming up and guys in the bullpen who can do the job,” said Brown, who lowered his career earned-run average against the Diamondbacks to 1.93. “It’s hard to argue because it’s all about the team.

“Once I got on the mound, it was just like old times from that standpoint. I really didn’t have any hesitation. I’ve thrown enough in spring training now to pretty much have all that behind me.”

It was a blast from the past for the Dodgers, who remembered how good Brown could be but were nonetheless pleased to be reminded.

“I think a lot of people forgot how good he really is,” catcher Paul Lo Duca said. “He’s been hurt the last couple of years, and a couple of their guys stepped out [of the batter’s box] and said some of the pitches were illegal.

“To see Brownie throw like he did, especially under the weather, that’s encouraging. For five innings, he was basically unhittable.”

There were many positive signs for the Dodgers.

Roberts robbed Mark Grace of extra bases in the fifth, sprinting to right-center to make a nifty sliding catch. Roberts also nailed Spivey at second in the seventh, trying to advance on Luis Gonzalez’s fly ball.

Eric Gagne, while not in a save situation, retired the Diamondbacks on nine pitches and two strikeouts to end it.

Brown set the tone and the Dodgers followed.

“His tempo, and the way he competes, gets you going,” second baseman Alex Cora said. “You’re not going to be flat-footed out there, and you’re going to try to make every play.

“Dave Roberts played awesome in center and that got everyone going. That’s what happens when you have great tempo. It helps the defense.”