Dodgers Feeling the Loss Before Game Is Over

Injuries weren’t among the Dodgers’ many problems during last season’s big-budget flop. Neither was their closer.

Things have changed.

Catcher Todd Hundley and outfielder Geronimo Berroa were hurt Tuesday, continuing a troubling trend for the Dodgers, and Jeff Shaw pitched himself out of his closer’s role when the New York Mets rallied for six runs in the ninth inning to win, 10-5.

Shaw (2-3) started the ninth with a 5-4 lead, but he ended up giving up a game-tying single to Todd Zeile. Terry Adams replaced Shaw and gave up a bases-loaded walk to Melvin Mora for a 6-5 New York lead. Then Todd Pratt put the game all but out of reach with a grand slam.

Shaw’s fifth blown save in 16 chances convinced Dodger Manager Davey Johnson to make a change.

“I’m going to have to stay off him for a little while,” Johnson said. “He needs a little rest. I talked to him today, and he said he felt good, but he’s not popping [the ball] like he usually does. I’ll probably do a little bit of a [closer] by committee.

“I’ve got several guys with experience. I’ve got several guys capable of doing the job. Hopefully, he’ll get better with a little rest.”

Said Shaw: “It’s a bad streak that I’m going through right now. It’s a rough streak.”

He was low-key about Johnson’s decision to move him out of the closer role temporarily.

“I understand his thinking,” Shaw said. “I don’t know if it’s good or if it’s bad. I’m just doing what he says.”

Hundley and Berroa left during the sixth inning after helping the Dodgers erase a one-run deficit and take the lead before 26,102. Hundley suffered a strained rib cage and Berroa a left-foot contusion.

“This was not a good day,” Johnson said of Hundley’s injury. “He felt a little burning in there [in his rib cage]. He pulled something, maybe a muscle. We won’t know until he sees the doctor today.”

A team spokesman said the extend of their injuries will be determined today.

The Dodgers have already had several key players go on the disabled list.

They are currently without everyday center fielder Devon White and third baseman Adrian Beltre. But the Dodgers keep rolling.

The Dodgers rallied in the sixth while chasing Met starter Bobby Jones. Berroa’s run-scoring single tied the score at 4-4, and Mark Grudzielanek’s put the Dodgers ahead.

Berroa fouled a pitch off his left foot before hitting a bloop single down the right-field line against reliever Dennis Cook. He left the game after advancing to second on Kevin Elster’s single. Berroa was taken for precautionary X-rays, which were negative. His status is day to day.

Dodger starter Eric Gagne pitched four-plus innings in his fifth no-decision in eight outings. The rookie right-hander gave up six hits and two runs.

He labored again, throwing only 53 strikes among 95 pitches. Gagne walked four and struck out three.

Gagne hasn’t pitched as much as the Dodgers would prefer, and Johnson isn’t pleased about the situation. But Johnson has been forced to shuffle the rotation because of the Dodgers’ schedule, making Gagne the odd man out at times.