Finley Is Deeply Involved

By Ben Bolch

Sept. 10, 2004 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

Steve Finley is like an old bottle of wine stored in perfect conditions -- you never want to give up on it too early because it might keep getting better as the years pass.

The rejuvenated 39-year-old continued to torment his former team Thursday night by launching two homers during the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in front of 27,287 at Dodger Stadium.

Finley’s fifth-inning solo homer gave L.A. a 3-2 lead and his two-run blast in the sixth tacked on some insurance for the Dodgers, who swept the three-game series to increase their lead over the San Francisco Giants to five games in the National League West.

The center fielder collected his third winning hit in six games against the team that traded him July 31, having hit one go-ahead double in the ninth inning Wednesday and another in the 13th on Aug. 31.

“Finley’s swinging the bat like a madman,” said Arizona catcher Chris Snyder, who hit his third homer in two games. “He’s unconscious right now.”

Mired in a monthlong slump before joining the Dodgers, Finley is batting .287 with eight homers and 30 runs batted in with L.A. He is batting .278 overall with 31 homers and 78 RBIs after posting his first multi-homer game as a Dodger.

“When you watch this guy play, he gives you no indication that he’s 39 years of age,” Dodger Manager Jim Tracy said. “He has years left, believe me.”

Said Finley: “I’ve felt as good as I’ve felt any year.”

Starter Jose Lima (12-5) pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, but his biggest contribution might have been kissing Finley’s bat Wednesday to help him snap an 0-for-19 slide.

“Sooner or later you’re going to start hitting again,” Finley said. “Zero for 19 was enough.”

Third baseman Adrian Beltre helped reliever Yhency Brazoban escape a two-on, no-out mess in the eighth by throwing pinch-runner Scott Hairston out at the plate and then starting an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.

The Dodgers return to the major league portion of their schedule today against the St. Louis Cardinals after winning 16 of 19 games against Arizona, their most against one opponent since beating San Diego 16 times in 1974.

One particularly embarrassing moment in the fifth encapsulated the series -- and the season -- for the last-place Diamondbacks. Three infielders converged on Milton Bradley’s popup, only to watch it fall for a single. Shortstop Jerry Gil made matters worse by throwing wildly past first baseman Shea Hillenbrand, allowing Bradley to take second.

Arizona’s Edgar Gonzalez (0-9) pitched admirably one start after yielding 10 runs in one inning against San Francisco, keeping the Diamondbacks in the game. He gave up three runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Tracy pulled Lima after Snyder’s solo homer to right-center with one out in the seventh.

Brazoban pitched himself into trouble in the eighth after giving up a leadoff double to pinch-hitter Carlos Baerga and a single to Andy Green. Alex Cintron then hit a chopper to Beltre that the third baseman had to leap to field before firing home to get Hairston. Beltre also fielded Chad Tracy’s grounder and threw to second baseman Alex Cora to start a double play.

“The play that Adrian made on the chopped ball -- that was a terrific play,” Tracy said. “If that ball goes over his head, they’ve got a run in and runners on first and third with none out.”

Eric Gagne struck out two during a perfect ninth while recording his 38th save in 40 opportunities.

Beltre had tied the score at 2-2 in the third when he singled past diving second baseman Cintron to bring home Cesar Izturis with his 103rd RBI.

But the night belonged to Finley, who was the Dodgers’ consolation prize after failing to acquire Randy Johnson from the Diamondbacks.

“We couldn’t get Randy,” Lima said, “but we got Finley.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

What’s Left

Dodgers’ remaining opponents:

St. Louis

93-46 (1st, NL Central)

Record vs. Cardinals: 0-3

Today-Sunday at L.A.

San Diego