Dodgers outlast Nationals, 4-3, in 13 innings
On one side of the clubhouse, Carlos Monasterios wore the kind of smile that lights up a room, the locker stall at his back serving as temporary storage for the game ball and official scorecard. On the other side, Vicente Padilla wore a different kind of smile, this one intended to mask the discomfort in his arm and the uncertainty in his mind.
Saturday was a cruel day for the Dodgers, perhaps the cruelest in what has so far been a trying season.
Their underperforming and overused bullpen appeared to find its way in a 4-3, 13-inning victory over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park that was highlighted by breakout performances by Monasterios and embattled setup man George Sherrill. But the gains were immediately offset by the loss of their opening-day starter, who became the third player in three days to be transferred to the 15-day disabled list.
Manager Joe Torre said the Dodgers intended to replace Padilla with Jon Link, who was already called up and sent down in the last week.
Padilla, who said he was incapable of throwing a baseball, couldn’t quantify the severity of his injury.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” said Padilla, who awaits an MRI exam Monday.
Torre said he didn’t know who would take Padilla’s turn in the rotation Tuesday in New York.
None of the options look particularly appealing.
The top candidates for the assignment at triple-A Albuquerque are James McDonald (4.97 earned-run average) and Scott Elbert (8.36). Josh Towers (2.25) has performed well and Josh Lindblom (5.79) might have the highest ceiling, but neither is on the 40-man roster, meaning the Dodgers probably have to sever ties with someone to add one of them.
Torre could offer the task to one of his two long relievers, Ramon Ortiz and Monasterios, who pitched the final 2 2/3 innings Saturday in what was his first real test as a major leaguer.
Asked whether he could start Tuesday, the 24-year-old Monasterios didn’t hesitate to answer: “Yes.”
Monasterios had never pitched above double A until this year, but scout Ron Rizzi saw him in the Venezuelan winter league and convinced General Manager Ned Colletti that the then- Philadelphia Phillies prospect was worth acquiring.
The Dodgers selected him in the Rule 5 draft, which is designed to prevent clubs from keeping players in the minor leagues too long. The drawback of a Rule 5 selection is that for a year, his new club must offer him back to his previous club before sending him to the minors.
So the Dodgers were in a bind.
They liked Monasterios’ promise enough to devote a roster spot to him but didn’t trust him enough to use him in crucial situations. They were basically playing with a 24-man roster.
Torre’s hand was forced Saturday.
Casey Blake’s second home run of the game put the Dodgers ahead, 3-2, in the seventh inning, but an errant throw by catcher Russell Martin resulted in a failed four-out save attempt for closer Jonathan Broxton and extra innings.
Torre first called on Sherrill, the former All-Star who had a 10.19 ERA through his first 10 appearances.
Sherrill pitched a perfect 10th inning and retired the first batter in the 11th before giving way to Monasterios.
Where has that guy been?
“I don’t know where’s he’s been,” Sherrill said, laughing. “He’s been hiding somewhere.”
Monasterios breezed through his first 1 2/3 innings. But with the Dodgers having taken the lead, 4-3, on Martin’s 13th-inning single, he had trouble closing out the game.
He gave up a one-out double to Nyjer Morgan that put runners on second base and third base. Blake preserved the lead, fielding a grounder by Ian Desmond and throwing out Ivan Rodriguez at the plate.
There was still one out to get and runners were on first base and second base.
Monasterios ended the game by forcing Cristian Guzman to fly out to left field. Rafael Furcal, who scored the winning run, handed Monasterios the game ball.
As Monasterios walked out of the clubhouse, he recounted how Saturday morning he ran into Rizzi, the scout who persuaded the Dodgers to gamble on him.
Monasterios said he took Rizzi’s words to him to the mound: “Do what you did in winter ball. You’ll be fine.”
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