Dodgers’ New Duo Remains Dynamic

Team chemistry is a funny thing.

The Dodgers, who seemed ready to implode two months ago, have exploded after acquiring Otis Nixon and Eric Young.

Nixon had three hits in four at-bats and drove in three runs with a two-run single and a suicide squeeze as the Dodgers extended their winning streak to five games Saturday with an 11-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners before a paid crowd of 53,638 at Dodger Stadium.

Nixon also drove in the winning run in Friday night’s 5-4, 10-inning victory over the Oakland Athletics. The 38-year-old outfielder is playing with the energy of a 28-year-old.

“It depends on what day you catch me on,� Nixon said. “I don’t look at age. I’ve been blessed with speed and staying healthy over the years. I feel just as good as I did five years ago.�

Young had a two run-scoring doubles in three at-bats and scored three runs. Nixon and Young have a combined .400 batting average with eight runs batted in, eight runs and six steals in their last three games.

“We’ve added that speed dimension that was probably lacking earlier in the year for the Dodgers,� Young said. “If Otis and I can get on base, we’re going to cause havoc on the basepaths and it’s going to make it tough on the pitcher who has to face Mike Piazza.�

Piazza, who has 16 home runs and 46 RBIs since the All-Star break, hit a two-out, three-run home run in the sixth inning.

Piazza, who was hitless in his first three at-bats, drilled a 3-and-2 pitch from reliever Bob Wells into the right-field bleachers for his 32nd home run.

The Dodgers’ NL West lead remained at 2 1/2 games over the San Francisco Giants, who defeated the Angels, 7-3. The Mariners, who have lost four consecutive games, remained a game ahead of the Angels in the AL West.

“It’s just like surfing,� Piazza said after the Dodgers won for the 14th time in their last 18 games. “Sometimes you get a little bit of a down time, but when you get a wave, you’ve got to ride it for as far as you can go.�

Eric Karros hit a solo home run in the first inning against starter Bob Wolcott (5-6). That came after Young was hit by a pitch, stole second, advanced to third on Nixon’s sacrifice and scored on a passed ball.

Karros, who hammered a 3-and-1 pitch into the center field bleachers for his 27th home run, has hit nine home runs in interleague play to help the Dodgers win nine of 13 interleague games.

Pitcher Ramon Martinez, making his second start after sitting out 51 games and 10 starts because of a shoulder injury, gave up one run on three hits in six innings to win his fifth consecutive decision.

“I’ve told myself that I don’t have pain any more,� said Martinez, who suffered a slight tear in his rotator cuff in his last start against the Mariners on June 14. “I don’t feel anything.�

Martinez, who registered seven strikeouts, two under his season best, struck out Ken Griffey Jr., who shares the major league home run lead, on three pitches in the first and third innings and he got him to ground out in the sixth.

“It was just not being able to see,� said Griffey, who didn’t take batting practice because the Mariners arrived in Los Angeles early Saturday morning after playing in Denver on Friday night.

Dodger Manager Bill Russell said Martinez, 2-0 with a 1.64 earned-run average since he was activated Aug. 20, pitched his best game since returning.

“He was out 2 1/2 months, so it’s just like spring training,� Russell said. “He’s got to work his way back and get his strength back.�

Martinez worked his way out of a first-inning jam by striking out Alex Rodriguez, the defending American League batting champion, on a 3-and-2 fastball with runners on first and second.

Martinez, who gave up two home runs in five innings in his first start against the Mariners, gave up a home run to Jay Buhner in the second inning.

Martinez, who had five hits in 33 at-bats coming into the game, had two hits and scored twice.

Reliever Darren Dreifort worked the final three innings and gave up a leadoff home run to Andy Sheets in the ninth inning.

Dreifort gave up two hits and struck out five of the 10 batters he faced as the Dodgers beat the Mariners for the first time in three games.

* BILL PLASCHKE

Dodger starter Ramon Martinez is back, and he looks as good as ever. C2