Oh What a Relief It ... Isn’t

Only four outs and the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates stood between the Dodgers and a relaxing flight to Los Angeles.

Then one of the major leagues’ top bullpens had a nightmarish experience Sunday in a five-run eighth inning.

The Dodgers pulled out a victory, 9-7, in 14 innings, but it wasn’t supposed to be so difficult.

“To have the day that we had today ... it’s unfortunate that it happened,” said left-hander Tom Martin, who walked two after relieving Darren Dreifort with two outs, the bases loaded and two runs in.

“We know that it was just basically a bad day. I don’t think it’s going to bother anybody or make anybody lose any sleep, especially with the way our hitters have been for us.”

Beginning play Sunday, the Dodger bullpen ranked fourth in the majors with a 2.68 earned-run average.

Jose Lima was summoned to preserve a 7-2 lead in relief of Odalis Perez, who gave up five hits and two runs in seven strong innings. Lima quickly retired the first two batters, but then things turned ugly for the Dodgers.

Lima gave up two singles and walked two, forcing in a run. Dreifort walked the only batter he faced, forcing in another run.

The Pirates pulled within 7-6 on Martin’s two bases-loaded walks, and tied the score on Jason Kendall’s infield single against Duaner Sanchez. The Dodgers finally escaped the jam when Abraham Nunez was caught wandering off third.

Manager Jim Tracy said closer Eric Gagne wasn’t an option in the chaotic eighth.

“He wasn’t a part of that eighth-inning scheme, not at all,” Tracy said. “I wanted to get through the eighth inning. I wasn’t going to warm Eric Gagne up in the eighth inning on May 9.”

Gagne, who has had two four-out saves this season, would have accepted the challenge.

“I’m always ready to go,” said Gagne, who worked perfect innings in the 11th and 12th. “I can always go in the game.”

Lima accepted responsibility for the wild inning.

“Dreifort, Martin, Sanchez should not have been in that game,” said Lima, whose ERA increased from 6.27 to 7.91 after he was charged with four runs.

“It was my responsibility to be up there and pitch the two innings and get out of those two innings without problems. I’m sorry that we messed it up for Odalis, because he pitched such a great game.

“I’m just disappointed I didn’t do the job, but the good thing about baseball is tomorrow is a new day.”

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Adrian Beltre went three for six with a run batted in and extended his hitting streak to 13 games. Beltre was 12 for 27 on the six-game trip. ... Milton Bradley hit his sixth home run in the eighth inning.

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Reserve outfielder Jayson Werth (strained abdominal muscle) is scheduled to play in games this week, Tracy said. Werth, continuing his rehabilitation at Class-A Vero Beach, will play for either the Dodgers’ team in extended spring training or for the Vero Beach Dodgers in preparation for a lengthy rehabilitation assignment at triple-A Las Vegas.