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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
SAN DIEGO -- There was a sense of resignation in the Los
Angeles Dodgers clubhouse after another disappointing season
closed.
Adam Eaton pitched six strong innings and Ryan Klesko hit a solo
homer, giving the San Diego Padres a 4-0 victory on Sunday over the
Dodgers.
Despite a strong finish with victories in 11 of the final 15
games, Los Angeles manager Davey Johnson put the season in
perspective.
"It's a season of what could have been," said Johnson,
sounding like a manager who expects to be fired. "But there's a
good future here. I think things will be good."
Johnson's future might be decided as soon as this week by Dodgers
chairman and CEO Bob Daly.
"I enjoyed being a Dodger," Johnson said quietly as he shook
the hands of the Los Angeles sportswriters who regularly cover the
team.
Los Angeles (86-76) finished in a second-place tie with Colorado
behind National League West champion San Francisco.
Gary Sheffield, who has been vocal in his support of Johnson,
said the players will deal with Johnson's expected firing.
"I don't care who was managing the team," Sheffield said, "I
don't think they would have done any better."
San Diego broke a seven-game losing streak as Eaton (7-4) gave
up just three singles and worked out of his only jam in the first
inning.
"We really wanted to win this last weekend," Padres manager
Bruce Bochy said. "If we had lost today, it would have made this
winter that much more bitter."
Klesko hit a solo homer, his 26th of the season and first since
Sept. 9, to back Eaton. The home run off Darren Dreifort (12-9)
gave him 92 RBI, one short of his career high set in 1997 with
Atlanta.
Trevor Hoffman got the final four outs for his 43rd save in 50
opportunities.
"We didn't end up too well, but I think we have enough here to
build on," said San Diego's Phil Nevin.
The only trouble Eaton encountered came in the first when he
allowed a one-out single to Mark Grudzielanek, who went to second
on a wild pitch. After a walk to Gary Sheffield, both runners moved
up on a ground out, but Eaton retired Eric Karros on a flyout.
Dreifort gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings. He
struck out four and did not walk a batter.
Mike Darr singled with one out in the second and was balked to
second by Dreifort during John Mabry's at bat. After Mabry stuck
out, Ben Davis singled home Darr.
Dreifort and second base umpire Fieden Culbreth, who made the
balk call, got into an argument. Johnson came out to separate
Dreifort and was thrown out of the game by Culbreath.
As he was leaving, Johnson doffed his cap in a prolonged gesture
to the jeering fans along the third-base line.
Darr's run-scoring groundout in the third inning scored Klesko, who led
off with a double. Klesko then homered in the sixth for a 3-0 lead.
Kory DeHaan doubled in the eighth and scored after two wild
pitches.
Game notes
Sheffield became the first Dodger to hit .300 with 30 home
runs, 100 runs, 100 RBI and 100 walks in two consecutive seasons.
... Dreifort is 0-6 against San Diego in 12 career appearances. The
Padres are the only NL team Dreifort hasn't defeated. ...
Klesko's homer and double gave him 61 extra base hits, besting his
career high of 59 set with Atlanta in 1997. ... Dodgers third baseman Adrian
Beltre returned to the lineup after missing three consecutive games
with a bruised foot. ... The Padres held an on-field auction where
fans bid on the players' game jerseys.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Los Angeles Clubhouse
San Diego Clubhouse
RECAPS
Cleveland 11
Toronto 4
Detroit 12
Minnesota 11
Tampa Bay 3
Boston 2
Baltimore 7
NY Yankees 3
Kansas City 6
Chi. White Sox 2
Seattle 5
Anaheim 2
Oakland 3
Texas 0
Colorado 10
Atlanta 5
NY Mets 3
Montreal 2
St. Louis 6
Cincinnati 2
Florida 7
Philadelphia 5
Chicago Cubs 10
Pittsburgh 9
San Diego 4
Los Angeles 0
San Francisco 11
Arizona 4
Houston 6
Milwaukee 1
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