A Blue-Plate Special in Dodger Ninth

Dodger Manager Jim Tracy watched another horror show unfold for eight innings Friday night.

And then came the comedy.

The Dodgers finally broke free from their frustrating pattern on offense in a six-hit, five-run ninth, rallying for a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates before 16,090 at PNC Park.

“It was just great to see our offense do what it did in the ninth inning,” Tracy said. “A lot of very good things happened in a very short period of time.”

The surprising turnaround coincided with rebound performances from Adrian Beltre and Paul Lo Duca, who overcame the frustration of long slumps and delivered clutch hits as the Dodgers took the opener of a three-game series after Pirate starter Kip Wells was the story through the eighth.

Wells quickly lost a 2-0 lead and his shutout bid when the struggling Dodgers strung together hits as Tracy had envisioned in spring training. Beltre and Lo Duca were at the center of the action after Wells was sent to the clubhouse and Pirate closer Mike Williams became the fans’ (and Dodgers’) target.

Lo Duca and Beltre each lined run-scoring doubles off Williams (0-1) as the Dodgers tied the score and went ahead, igniting boos that would only grow louder.

“After the game, I gave [Beltre] a big hug, and both of us were relieved,” said Lo Duca, who has three hits in his last 34 at-bats. “I told him, ‘It’s about time we did something.’ ”

Another RBI double, from Alex Cora, and an RBI single from pinch-hitter Todd Hundley provided a nice cushion for closer Eric Gagne, who rarely needs much. Gagne gave up a leadoff single to Jason Kendall but retired the next three batters, two on strikeouts, to record his sixth save in as many chances.

Troy Brohawn (2-0) got the victory after working a scoreless eighth in relief of starter Odalis Perez, who was effective for seven innings in his first appearance since suffering a sprained right ankle April 11.

The Dodgers improved to 2-2 on the six-game trip after a bad experience against the Cincinnati Reds, but the night wasn’t a total success.

Leadoff batter Dave Roberts left in the second after straining his right hamstring in the first on a bunt single. The extent of the injury will be known today, trainer Stan Johnston said.

“I don’t know how bad it is,” said Roberts, who received an anti-inflammatory injection. “I know I didn’t blow it out, but it’s going to be at least a couple of days.”

Losing their sparkplug would be difficult, but the Dodgers might be able to manage better if Beltre and Lo Duca are back in form.

“When Belly hit his first double, you said, ‘Hey, you’re on the go now,’ ” said Brian Jordan, who ran for Fred McGriff and scored on Lo Duca’s double.

“And his approach that last at-bat against Williams was awesome. He looked that way and he drilled it [to right-center]. It was a confidence builder for him, and a confidence builder for the whole team.

“Lo Duca had a game plan when he went up there against Williams. He made it real easy on me. I didn’t have to run that hard.”

Wells handcuffed the Dodgers for eight innings, limiting them to four hits. He also hit his second career home run in the third, a shot to dead center that was estimated at 457 feet.

But everything turned in the ninth inning.

Mike Kinkade, pinch-hitting for Cesar Izturis, singled to start the inning. After Shawn Green struck out, McGriff doubled to left-center for the Dodgers’ first run. Wells exited and Williams entered.

In a hitters’ meeting Friday, Lo Duca encouraged his teammates to “try to hit the ball in our dugout against Williams” -- in other words, go to the opposite field against a right-hander who relies on a good slider. Lo Duca took his own advice, cueing Williams’ first pitch just inside first base and down the line to tie the score.

Beltre has had a tumultuous season in only 21 games. The Dodgers are pushing the talented young third baseman to be more consistent, and Beltre had a focused approach in his at-bats Friday.

He listened to Lo Duca and went to right-center with two out for his second double of the game.

“It’s not a secret that we’ve been leaving a lot of men on base in key situations,” said Beltre, who began the game in a two-for-34 skid. “The last five games I’ve played, I’ve felt good.”

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Dodger reliever Eric Gagne gave up only one hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday in a 5-2 win at Pittsburgh. A look at his season totals:

Innings pitched...13

Saves ...6

Hits ...4

Runs ...0

Strikeouts ...22