Beltre’s Dramatics Come Earlier

The price to re-sign Adrian Beltre hasn’t increased each game, though it might seem so to the Dodgers.

The third baseman is leading a hit production that continued Saturday night in a 12-2 victory over San Diego before a sellout crowd of 52,217 at Dodger Stadium.

After capping the Dodgers’ 3-2 win in the opener with a walk-off home run, Beltre hit a two-out grand slam against former Dodger Ismael Valdez, highlighting a six-run fourth inning and breaking open the game, 8-1.

He connected for the third grand slam of his career and team-leading 27th homer as part of a three-hit, five-RBI performance, helping baseball’s hottest team take the first two games of a three-game series against another National League West contender.

Beltre, 25, can become a free agent at the end of the season, and the Dodgers said they have seen only the beginning of something very special.

“You can’t say enough about him,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “He knows who he is, and it speaks volumes of the patience of his youth.

“We’re just not in the position we’re in if Adrian Beltre is not having the season he’s having.”

Catcher Paul Lo Duca agreed.

“Belly has just been incredible,” Lo Duca said. “I’ve been saying all year that Belly is different now, he’s doing everything that anyone ever expected of him and more.”

Shawn Green and Juan Encarnacion also provided power, hitting consecutive homers off Jay Witasick in a four-run seventh as the surging Dodgers (57-39) won for the 20th time in 24 games and moved a season-high 18 games over .500. San Francisco trails the Dodgers by 3 1/2 games and San Diego dropped 4 1/2 back.

No one is happier than Beltre about the team’s success.

“We’re trying to run away with it,” said Beltre, who also leads the Dodgers with a .330 batting average and 71 runs batted in. “I’m just enjoying this time right now.”

Green remained the Dodgers’ hottest player not named Beltre.

The first baseman continued to distance himself from a disappointing first half, hitting a three-run homer.

Green’s 14th homer, putting him second on the team behind Beltre, was his fourth in 11 games. Encarnacion followed with his 13th homer, but his best moves occurred in the field on two highlight-tape catches.

The right fielder leaped at the scoreboard wall in the first to rob Ryan Klesko of a three-run homer, and he made a sliding catch in shallow right in the fourth to take away a hit from Jay Payton.

Wilson Alvarez (5-3) gave up only one run in seven strong innings and the Dodgers supported the pitching staff with 14 hits.

“Seven quality innings from Wilson Alvarez,” Tracy said. “And I don’t think you can play right field better than Juan Encarnacion did.”

But again, Beltre led the way.

“There’s no question that everything in this offense should be built around Belly,” said Green, batting .366 with 12 RBIs in his last 11 games.

“He’s doing it every day and he’s playing through pain. He’s been great. He’s been incredible all year.”

Beltre had help in the fourth inning as the Dodgers batted around and pounded Valdez (9-6). The Dodgers had a 2-1 lead before run-scoring singles by Alex Cora and Cesar Izturis made it 4-1, and the Dodgers loaded the bases with two out on Lo Duca’s infield single.

Witasick warmed up during the inning, but San Diego Manager Bruce Bochy let Valdez face Beltre. On a 2-and-0 pitch, Beltre sent the ball deep into the left-field pavilion.

“Beltre played unbelievable,” said Valdez, whose earned-run average went from 4.99 to 5.47. “I threw him a fastball in. He’s just a great hitter.”

Said Bochy: “He’s just having a tremendous year.”