Bohanon Finally on the Right Side of L.A. Decision

Brian Bohanon wasn’t acquired to lead the Dodgers to the playoffs--but he’s expected to help them get there.

The left-hander finally contributed to that effort by pitching six strong innings Wednesday night in a 6-4 victory over the Houston Astros before 31,365 at Dodger Stadium.

Bohanon (3-6) shut down the National League Central-leading Astros in registering his first victory in three starts since being acquired July 10 from the New York Mets for middle reliever Greg McMichael. The Dodgers supported Bohanon with 11 hits, including three home runs.

Gary Sheffield and Eric Karros hit two-out, back-to-back solo homers--their 18th and 11th, respectively--in the fifth to give the Dodgers a 5-1 lead. It marked only the second time that the Dodgers have hit consecutive homers.

Todd Hollandsworth and Thomas Howard did it April 7 in a 9-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the home opener. Hollandsworth has undergone season-ending left shoulder surgery and Howard has been released.

After giving up a leadoff home run to Carl Everett in the ninth, closer Jeff Shaw struck out the side to earn his fifth save in as many opportunities as a Dodger, and his 28th overall. Shaw has earned saves in the Dodgers’ last three victories, but his scoreless streak ended at 14 innings.

The Dodgers won their third in a row to move three games above .500 at 52-49. They matched their season highs in consecutive victories and games above .500, and remained 4 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs among several teams battling in the NL wild-card race.

“I just made good pitches to get out of innings, and I ended up with the win,” Bohanon said. “I felt much better after the last time out, and I just hope I can keep this going.”

Before Wednesday’s game, Bohanon was 0-2 with a 4.66 earned-run average in two starts since being acquired from the Mets.

He struggled in his Dodger debut July 12, lasting only four innings in a 6-3 loss to the San Diego Padres. He gave up five hits--including three home runs--and four runs. Bohanon was better in his most recent outing July 17, giving up two runs--one earned--in a 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Bohanon also struck out a season-high six, which impressed his manager.

“I thought he was much better the last time out,” Glenn Hoffman said. “He didn’t have much time to get settled after we got him because we needed him out there right away. But you could just see he was more comfortable out there the second time, so that was a good sign.”

Bohanon said that he needed time to adjust.

“I feel like I’ve been getting more comfortable with everything, and I think that helped in my last start,” he said. “I made some good pitches, and hopefully I can just keep building on that.”

Bohanon did against the Astros.

He gave up two hits and one run, and matched his season high with six innings. Bohanon walked four and struck out two, while throwing 90 pitches, 46 for strikes.

But Bohanon’s good night didn’t start well.

The Astros took a 1-0 lead n the first. With one out, Bill Spiers walked and scored on Derek Bell’s double down the right-field line.

Jeff Bagwell walked, which stirred boos in the crowd. But the defense helped Bohanon when second baseman Wilton Guerrero began an inning-ending double play.

Bohanon cruised from there, retiring the side in order in the second, third, and fifth. Trailing, 5-1, with two out in the sixth, the Astros had runners on first and second, but Moises Alou hit into a fielder’s choice.

With help from the Astros, the Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in the third. Guerrero doubled to right-center to open the inning, and took third on right fielder Bell’s fielding error.

Guerrero scored on Juan Castro’s sacrifice fly, and then Raul Mondesi singled to left. Mondesi stole second--his ninth stolen base--and took third on catcher Brad Ausmus’ throwing error. He scored on Karros’ two-out single to right.

Charles Johnson atoned for a base-running mistake earlier in the game by hitting a one-out, solo homer--his 14th homer--in the fourth to put the Dodgers ahead, 3-1.

In the second, fans booed Johnson because he stood at the plate and watched his popup along the left-field line. The ball landed in fair ground and Johnson wound up with only a single.

He got the crowd back on his side with his seventh homer with the Dodgers--equaling Mike Piazza’s total since the May 15 trade with the Florida Marlins.