Dodgers get big re-rally to beat Cubs

Someone should have locked the bullpen gates at Dodger Stadium on Friday night.

Entrusted with a four-run lead after starter Derek Lowe had pitched six superb innings against the Chicago Cubs, the normally reliable Dodgers bullpen crumbled under the weight of eight hits and seven runs in the seventh inning.

Then the Cubs, who had fashioned a three-run lead through the Dodgers relievers’ largesse, gave it right back by surrendering four runs in the eighth.

And so the Dodgers’ most unusual 9-8 victory ended in routine fashion, with closer Takashi Saito bouncing energetically off the mound after another perfect ninth inning in which he recorded his 15th save.

“It was a crazy last three innings,” said Lowe, who left with the Dodgers holding a 5-1 advantage. “Today is something you don’t see very often.”

The comeback allowed the Dodgers to maintain their one-game lead over San Diego in the National League West after they pounced on three Cubs relievers in the eighth. The Dodgers also improved to 24-1 when leading after six innings, though it took quite a rally.

Russell Martin, Luis Gonzalez and Tony Abreu opened the eighth inning with singles to load the bases for pinch-hitter Olmedo Saenz, whose run-scoring single up the middle pulled the Dodgers to within 8-6. Gonzalez made it a one-run game when he raced home on a wild pitch by Angel Guzman.

Rafael Furcal tied the score with a RBI single through the left side of the infield that extended his hitting streak to 12 games, and Juan Pierre’s sacrifice fly to center drove in pinch-runner Brady Clark from third with go-ahead run.

“Coming back like that is awesome,” said Rudy Seanez (2-0), one of the four Dodgers relievers who collectively made three outs in the seventh.

Joe Beimel lasted two batters, made one out and might have been the most effective pitcher in the inning. Yhency Brazoban failed to retire any of the three batters he faced, and Jonathan Broxton was pulled after yielding five consecutive hits.

Seanez appeared to restore order by inducing a grounder to third baseman Abreu, but Abreu bounced his throw to first baseman Nomar Garciaparra for an error that allowed Michael Barrett to score the inning’s seventh run.

Matt Murton, the 12th Cub to bat in the inning, finally struck out to end the onslaught.

“I wouldn’t say I was stunned,” Dodgers Manager Grady Little said of his relievers’ ineffectiveness. “I realize it’s going to happen at some point during the season.”

Lowe was finished after throwing only 83 pitches, having given up four hits and only one run. He walked three, struck out five and didn’t allow a runner to reach second base until the fifth inning. Jeff Kent had a home run and four runs batted in to give him a cushion.

Things unraveled quickly in the seventh. After Jacque Jones hit a leadoff single through the right side of the infield, Beimel got former Dodger Cesar Izturis to fly to center.

Little then summoned Brazoban, who couldn’t get an out. He walked Murton on a full count before yielding a two-run double to Alfonso Soriano and an RBI double to Mark DeRosa.

Broxton, usually reserved for the eighth inning, entered in an attempt to protect a suddenly precarious 5-4 lead but surrendered five hits and three runs.

“That can happen to anyone,” Little said, “and you just have to turn the page and go on to tomorrow.”

ben.bolch@latimes.com

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In a corner

Comparing the corner infield spots -- typically run-producing positions -- of the Cubs and Dodgers this year:

CUBS

*--* 1ST BASE 3RD BASE DERREK LEE ARAMIS RAMIREZ HOME RUNS HOME RUNS 3 11 RUNS BATTED IN RUNS BATTED IN 27 35 SLUGGING PCT. SLUGGING PCT. 547 547 1ST BASE 3RD BASE

*--*

DODGERS

*--* NOMAR GARCIAPARRA ALL PLAYERS* HOME RUNS HOME RUNS 1 1 RUNS BATTED IN RUNS BATTED IN 27 18 SLUGGING PCT. SLUGGING PCT. 356 265

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* Tony Abreu (above) started Friday.

Source: baseball-reference.com and Los Angeles Times