So-So Trip Keeps Dodgers Afloat in a Slo-Mo Race

Definition of a race according to Merriam-Webster: a contest or rivalry involving progress toward a goal.

Definition of a race as it pertains to the National League West: a snail, a slug and a sloth slogging through a tub of nougat.

The Dodgers drew three games closer to first place by splitting six games on a trip that ended with a whimper -- a 6-0 loss to the New York Mets on Sunday at Shea Stadium.

“Our success this week was modest at best,” Manager Jim Tracy said.

Yet in the context of what is shaping up as a division of historic ineptitude, it was wildly successful.

First-place San Diego (50-49) has lost seven in a row, and second-place Arizona (48-52) has allowed 88 more runs than it has scored. The Dodgers (44-54) are 5 1/2 games out of first and three out of second.

If the Dodgers were in the NL Central they would be 18 games out of first. If they were in the East, they would be 10 1/2 games out. Either way, they would undoubtedly be dumping salary before the July 31 trading deadline and looking toward 2006.

Instead, they are seeking to bolster the roster and overtake the snails and slugs, er, Diamondbacks and Padres.

“We understand what we are up against, teams that are trying to overcome injuries and mistakes and trying to win,” Dodger second baseman Jeff Kent said. “This trip we were fortunate to make up games.

“You can make a big deal about the sub-.500 competition, but it’s the division. It doesn’t matter to me. That’s what is going to be exciting: the weakness of the division. The team that overcomes issues will win.”

The biggest obstacle the Dodgers must surmount is an anemic offense. They managed only four hits in eight innings against Kris Benson (7-3), and two of them rolled only to a patch of grass halfway between home plate and third base.

All the Mets (51-47) needed was a big swing by Mike Piazza, who got a curtain call from the Italian Day crowd after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning. It was his 390th career homer, surpassing Johnny Bench and tying Graig Nettles for 45th on the all-time list.

Piazza also singled off Kent’s glove to drive in a run in the third when the Mets extended their lead to 4-0 against Brad Penny (5-6), who lasted six innings.

It was an all-too-typical performance from a Dodger starter. Not bad. Not great.

The Dodgers are 6-42 when they score three or fewer runs and 38-12 when they score four or more, an indication their pitching rarely dominates.

Opponents have scored three or more runs in all but 15 games. That means the offense must consistently produce four or more runs to win. And that isn’t happening often enough.

Or maybe it is. The way the Padres are going, perhaps the Dodgers just need to win another six games to nose them out. “I’m not too worried about what they are doing,” Kent said. “It’s hard enough to take care of yourself.”

Patching together a potent lineup is difficult for Tracy. Third baseman Oscar Robles is 0 for 16 after a sustained hot streak that cemented him in the leadoff position. Milton Bradley was 0 for 3 after getting two hits Saturday in his first game after coming off the disabled list.

Tracy still can’t figure out a way to get Antonio Perez, who is batting .326, into the lineup. And there won’t be a spot for Jose Valentin when he comes off the disabled list. His return has been delayed because he is experiencing mild elbow pain.

The roster begs for a shake-up before the trading deadline. After all, hope springs eternal -- or at least until the Padres start winning.

“If you are praying and hoping another team takes a skid,” Kent said, “you are not doing your job.”