Martin Helps Save the Day

Paul Shuey might deserve a bonus for recommending that the Dodgers sign left-hander Tom Martin.

“That’s a thought,” Shuey said, laughing. “This guy is maybe my best friend, he’s the guy I hang out with in the off-season, so I can’t explain how awesome this is. It’s like a dream come true.”

After pitching a scoreless inning in Tuesday’s 5-4, 10-inning loss, Martin was even better in Wednesday’s 5-0 victory, working 1 2/3 scoreless innings and helping starter Kevin Brown escape a two-on, no-out jam in the seventh -- with an assist from center fielder Dave Roberts.

With runners on first and second, Manager Jim Tracy summoned Martin to face left-handed batters Luis Gonzalez, Steve Finley and Mark Grace. Gonzalez flied out to Roberts a few feet in front of the warning track, and Craig Counsell tagged and advanced to third.

Junior Spivey tested Roberts, who easily nailed Spivey at second for the second out. Finley flied out to left to end the inning, and after walking Grace to start the eighth, Martin induced a double-play grounder from pinch-hitter Quinton McCracken.

Rookie left-hander Steve Colyer is expected to be optioned to triple-A Las Vegas after today’s game against the San Diego Padres, but Martin isn’t going anywhere.

“I almost felt funny calling the Dodgers about him, not because he isn’t awesome but because he’s such a good friend of mine,” Shuey said of Martin, 32. “I just thought it was important we had a lefty, so I figured it was out of my hands after I called them. Well, he’s taken over and done the rest.”

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Batting instructor Jack Clark, seriously injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday, was released Wednesday from Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Phoenix.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- San Diego Padres, four games.

Site -- Qualcomm Stadium.

TV -- Fox Sports Net 2 today; Channel 13 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Dodgers 2-1, Padres 0-3.

2002 record vs. Padres -- 10-9.

Today, 2 p.m. -- Kazuhisa Ishii (0-0, 0.00) vs. Jake Peavy (0-0, 0.00).

Friday, 7 p.m. -- Darren Dreifort (0-0, 0.00) vs. Clay Condrey (0-0, 0.00).

Saturday, 7 p.m. -- Hideo Nomo (1-0, 0.00) vs. Brian Lawrence (0-0, 2.57).

Sunday, 2 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (0-0, 5.14) vs. Adam Eaton (0-0, 2.57).