Pirates Bring Out the Best in Saenz

Olmedo Saenz answers to Tomato Heinz because, well, ballplayers are always pinning silly nicknames on one another.

In the city where the ketchup company reigns, Saenz was king for a day, driving in a career-high six runs to lead the Dodgers to a 12-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night before a rare sellout at PNC Park.

Saenz hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, drove in a run with a single in a five-run Dodger seventh and brought in two runs with a double in the eighth.

The Dodgers broke out offensively one game after being shut out on four hits by Washington’s John Patterson, racking up 15 hits and taking advantage of three Pirate errors to score four unearned runs.

“We did things up and down the lineup which gave us the opportunity to score in several different innings,” Manager Jim Tracy said.

Every starting position player had at least one hit. Jeff Kent hit his 21st home run for the first run and Ricky Ledee hit his fifth homer, a double and a single. Milton Bradley and Cesar Izturis each had two hits.

Derek Lowe (8-11) gave up two earned runs in six innings, leaving with a 10-3 lead and no blister on his thumb for the first time in several starts. He surrendered Brad Eldred’s first career home run, the 12th home run he has given up in 39 2/3 innings, but took an all’s well that ends well approach.

“We scored a lot of runs,” Lowe said, shrugging. “That makes it easier.”

Now for the hard part. Can the Dodgers (49-60) inch forward again, or will they slide back twice as far? They also won series openers against Washington, St. Louis and New York in the last two weeks only to lose games two and three.

Yes, San Diego and Arizona might well lose three or four or 40 in a row. The Dodgers know they have to stop comparing themselves to West Division rivals stunning in their mediocrity.

“We have to do our job and not watch the scoreboard,” shortstop Cesar Izturis said. “It is too early to do that. We have to win consistently or it doesn’t matter what other teams do.”

Tracy said the key will be consistent offense. Scoring one run in two games then breaking out for 12 produces as much frustration as elation. A contributing factor to the spotty production is that Saenz and Ledee can’t play every day because they are susceptible to injury.

It was no coincidence that Saenz’s outburst came five days after he was last in the starting lineup. At age 34 with a tender lower back, he needs just enough time off to stay strong and just enough playing time to keep from getting stale.

It’s a balance Tracy has been able to strike effectively. Saenz is batting .294 and in only 211 at-bats has 11 home runs and 46 runs batted in.

“The time off keeps me healthy but playing keeps me sharp,” Saenz said. “That’s me. It’s hard to play every day, but to sit around for a week then play is one of the hardest jobs in baseball.”

Ledee must be handled in a similar fashion. He is batting .288 with 25 RBIs in 177 at-bats but when he was forced to play every day because of injuries to other outfielders, he pulled a hamstring and went on the disabled list for a month.

“Saenz and Ledee combined for six hits and eight RBIs in this one,” Tracy said. “Those are two integral parts of our team.”

Today Saenz probably will play again to face hot rookie Pirate left-hander Zach Duke. Ledee, a left-handed hitter, probably won’t start. The Dodgers still need to find a way to win a series.

“How are we going to pick up ground winning one of three?” Tracy said. “If you are going to make a run, you have to win two of three and do it consistently. That’s how it is done.”