L.A. gets off deck in ninth

Soon enough -- perhaps even beginning today for a quick study such as Bud Black -- managers never again will walk a batter intentionally to face Russell Martin.

Soon enough, it will become an obvious blunder, the height of imprudence.

Fortunately for the Dodgers, the realization hadn’t hit Black in the ninth inning Friday night at Petco Park. The San Diego Padres first-year manager had Trevor Hoffman give veteran Luis Gonzalez a free pass with two out, a runner on second and the score tied.

Martin then blasted a double that tipped off the glove of center fielder Mike Cameron, driving in Nomar Garciaparra and Gonzalez.

Takashi Saito notched his seventh save despite giving up a home run to Jose Cruz Jr. and the Dodgers had a 6-5 comeback victory that ended a four-game losing streak.

“Russell is a special player, we all know this,” Dodgers Manager Grady Little said. “He’s coming up on having been in the league one entire season, and he makes people believe he’s been here 15 years.”

The decision to walk Martin wouldn’t have come up if Garciaparra hadn’t doubled for his fourth hit to drive in two runs and tie the score. And Garciaparra’s at-bat wouldn’t have held as much significance had Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez not been indecisive on Rafael Furcal’s drag bunt after Marlon Anderson led off the inning with a pinch-hit single. Gonzalez turned to throw to second, thought better of it and tried to tag Furcal, who slipped past him.

The four-run ninth absolved Dodgers reliever Chad Billingsley of a three-run sixth inning that he managed to get through only because right fielder Andre Ethier made two outstanding catches. Ethier also bailed the Dodgers out of a jam in the eighth, making a sprawling catch with two out and the bases loaded.

“That play right there was the ballgame,” Little said.

Still, the stage was set for Hoffman, who had four saves in his first seven appearances but proved vulnerable by blowing a save against the Arizona Diamondbacks three days ago. The all-time record-holder in saves was honored by the Padres before the game.

“We just got lucky,” Little said. “Everybody knows what Trevor can do.”

Player evaluation sometimes is more difficult closer to home. At third base, in the Dodgers’ case. Given a choice of Wilsons, Little opted for the .303-hitting Valdez over the .136-hitting Betemit.

“We’re not in the habit of continuing to repeat things that aren’t working,” Little said.

The move appeared sound in the second inning, when Valdez dropped a surprise bunt for a single that drove in Martin with the first run.

The Dodgers are unsure what to do at third, and unsure what to do about the Wilsons. Neither player has a minor league option, meaning they would have to clear waivers before being sent to triple A.

The lack of roster maneuverability has peripheral impact. The only player with options was rookie outfielder Matt Kemp, so his reward for hitting a home run and a triple in his rehabilitation game at triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday was to be placed on the roster of the 51s.

*

steve.henson@latimes.com