Lo Duca Has the Line on Dodger Win

Slow starts have contributed to the Dodgers’ playoff drought, so Paul Lo Duca said it’s time to seize the moment early for a change.

The All-Star catcher continued to lead by example Wednesday night, getting four hits, including the game-winner in the 11th inning of a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.

He ripped a single down the third-base line to drive in Milton Bradley from third, ending a 3-hour 15-minute game before what remained of a crowd of 26,932.

Lo Duca connected against former Dodger Ismael Valdez, driving the ball past Padre third baseman Sean Burroughs.

The Dodgers also got a big boost from starter Jeff Weaver, who pitched seven strong innings in his Dodger debut. Jose Lima pitched two scoreless innings for the victory.

The Dodgers rallied to win Tuesday’s game, 5-4, on Robin Ventura’s ninth-inning single.

They took two of three from their Southland rivals after dropping the home opener, 8-2.

“The bottom line is that you need to win ballgames, because they count now as much as they count later,” said Lo Duca, who is batting .615 after three games.

“A lot of people tend to look back in September at games you lost, but those games that you lost in April that you should have won also add up.

“This year, we need to get off to a better start early. We need to put pressure on other teams and let people know we’re going to be there for the rest of the year.”

Lo Duca is spreading the word for the Dodgers with his bat.

“Our catcher had quite a night,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “He had big hits all night. He had four of our six hits and the winning hit aside from that.”

Loser Eddie Oropesa walked Bradley with one out in the 11th and cleanup batter Shawn Green flied out.

Padre Manager Bruce Bochy brought in the right-handed Valdez, who failed to fulfill expectations with the Dodgers from 1994 to ‘99, to face the right-handed batting Lo Duca.

Bradley stole second on the first pitch to Lo Duca and took third on a wild pitch. On a 1-and-2 count, Lo Duca sent the ball inside the third-base line, triggering another late celebration at Chavez Ravine.

Weaver got the party started.

The Dodgers don’t expect Weaver to replace All-Star right-hander Kevin Brown, whom they traded to the New York Yankees for Weaver, but they might not miss Brown as much as some in the organization feared if Weaver builds on his opening effort.

Weaver was efficient in a seven-inning, one-run outing, throwing 71 strikes in 102 pitches. He gave up eight hits while striking out six with one walk.

“Waver was just spectacular,” Tracy said. “He did a terrific job. His ability to keep the ball down leads to effectiveness, and he was down in the zone all night long.”

With the Padres threatening in the seventh, Weaver responded with some of his best work of the game, escaping the jam and preventing them from breaking a 1-1 tie. Not bad for a guy who stirred doubt in spring training, going 2-2 with a 6.99 earned-run average in seven starts.

The Dodgers could not have asked of more from Weaver under any circumstances, but the lanky right-hander’s debut was especially encouraging for the club considering how far he had sunk while trying to escape from New York.

Weaver had an awful experience, failing to meet expectations with the powerful Yankees, and he could not return to the Bronx.

Agent Scott Boras wanted the Southland native to play for the Dodgers and Brown for the Yankees, so he put the wheels in motion and everyone cooperated.

Brown is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts for the Yankees, and Weaver is off to a dream start with the Dodgers.

“You can’t ask for more, getting the first [game] out of the way,” Weaver said. “I just hope to get on a roll and hopefully continue that.”