Dreifort Makes It Easy for Dodgers

ST. LOUIS —  What should the Dodgers do about their bullpen problems?

They won’t have as many if other starters match Darren Dreifort’s performance Friday night in a 13-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals that ended a four-game losing streak.

The hard-throwing right-hander dominated the National League Central leaders, tossing a two-hitter before 44,975 at Busch Stadium. Eric Davis’ first-inning double and Fernando Vina’s sixth-inning single were the only hits against Dreifort (3-1), who pitched the Dodgers’ first complete game and his third career shutout.

His teammates made him comfortable early with a five-run first inning againstSt. Louis starter Darryl Kile (6-2). The Dodgers had four hits in the inning--the big blows being Shawn Green’s three-run double and Todd Hundley’s two-run home run.

The Dodgers had seven extra-base hits among 13 overall against Kile and two relievers. Hundley’s shot to dead center was his ninth homer, and Eric Karros added a solo homer--also No. 9--against Kile in the fifth.

Leadoff batter Todd Hollandsworth continued his strong play with three hits, and No. 8 batter Alex Cora matched a career high with three for the second time in as many starts. Mark McGwire walked, struck out swinging and grounded out.

The Dodgers turned three double plays behind Dreifort, whose timely outing eased the burden on the struggling bullpen.

The bullpen had been especially bad during the Arizona Diamondbacks’ three-game sweep, and relievers appreciated the rest.

“Any time you can get a day off is always a blessing,” said closer Jeff Shaw, who contributed to the bullpen’s 15.26 earned-run average during the losing streak.

“But two hits against that club? I mean, the way Dreif threw--holly smoke! That was something.”

Dreifort mixed his pitches well, keeping the Cardinals guessing. He struck out six and walked three while throwing 62 strikes in 110 pitches.

“This was huge,” Green said. “Dreif has been going good all year, but to see him get that complete-game shutout, especially after losing three in a row in Arizona, that definitely helped.”

Dreifort’s sinking fastball, change-up and slider were as good as it gets, his batterymate said.

“Just awesome. By far the best outing of the year, obviously,” said Hundley, who also threw out his second runner of the season in 20 attempts.

“It was typical of Dreif in the first couple of innings. He was as strong as a horse at the start, and then he started getting all his pitches over the plate as soon as he got a little tired. His slider and his change-up were always around the plate.”

Said Gary Sheffield: “Every time he and Kevin Brown go out there, you know those guys have the stuff to throw a shutout each time. You can see it.”

Typically, Dreifort shared the credit.

“A lot of this has to do with several things,” said Dreifort, who lowered his ERA to 2.59. “First of all, we jumped out to a five-run lead against Darryl Kile, who’s a great pitcher. Then I walk Vina on four pitches [in the first] and [Hundley] throws him out at second base. That was a big play for us.

“Our defense was outstanding all night, and I had great rhythm going with [Hundley] all night. That’s what it was.”

It was also Dreifort.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” said Manager Davey Johnson, his face creased by a wide grin. “That was the best-pitched game of the season.

“We saw that from Darren late last year. When he’s pounding that ball down there [in the strike zone] and throwing a lot of strikes, I don’t care what club is out there. They’re going to have problems.”

Brown watched Dreifort in admiration.

“That just makes me want to go up there and rub up against him,” the staff ace said, “to see if some of that will rub off on me.”

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