Sheffield Finally Has Reason to Smile

Dodger outfielder Gary Sheffield still has doubts about his ability to play left field, concerns about his surgically repaired throwing shoulder and frustration in his personal life.

But one couldn’t tell by his performance since the curtain has been raised on the regular season.

After playing a key role in an opening-day victory, Sheffield hit a one-out, game-winning home run in a 3-2, 10-inning victory Tuesday over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.

Sheffield hit the first pitch from loser Brian Anderson into the left-field pavilion, stirring a celebration in the crowd of 33,139. The game also was marked by a bench-clearing shoving match in the sixth after Dodger starter Chan Ho Park barely missed hitting Diamondback cleanup batter Matt Williams with a pitch.

Sheffield had a two-out walk in the 11th inning of Monday’s 8-6 comeback victory over the Diamondbacks, setting up Raul Mondesi’s game-winning homer. This time, it was Sheffield’s turn to save the day for the Dodgers.

“He’s just a special kind of player,” Dodger Manager Davey Johnson said. “Whenever I was managing against him with the game on the line, I would always try to avoid pitching to him.

“If I had a base open, I would put him on, because I’ve seen him do that too many times. He’s in the same class with Barry Bonds. You just don’t want to see those guys up there in those types of situations.”

Sheffield’s blast gave reliever Alan Mills his first victory as a Dodger. Mills pitched two scoreless innings, and the Diamondbacks stranded a runner at third against him in the top of the inning.

“The way we won today and yesterday, that sends a message that we’re winners,” said Sheffield, who in part struggled in the exhibition season because of his aforementioned problems.

“We’re setting the tone, and I feel good. I just have to stay with the game and good things will happen.”

The Dodgers wasted several opportunities with runners on base and less than two out. Mondesi, who powered the opening-day victory with two homers and six runs batted in, and Devon White opened the sixth with back-to-back singles, but Eric Karros grounded into a double play, and Mark Grudzielanek popped to short.

In the eighth, Sheffield led off with a single and White walked with one out on four consecutive pitches from Diamondback starter Todd Stottlemyre, ending Stottlemyre’s work after 7 1/3 effective innings. A balk by reliever Darren Holmes moved the runners over, but they were stranded when Karros popped out and Grudzielanek flied out.

The shoving match in the sixth began after Park made his first pitch to Williams. Williams hit a towering fly ball down the left-field line, but the ball curved into foul territory, concerning nervous fans who figured Williams had just missed hitting his second homer of the game.

Park figured similarly. The Diamondback cleanup batter had tied the score in the fourth with a leadoff homer to center against Park, and the sight of another ball heading toward the seats was unsettling for the right-hander.

Regardless of Park’s intentions, his next pitch went behind Williams, who shouted at Park while catcher Todd Hundley and home plate umpire Mark Hirschbeck discouraged Williams from charging the mound.

Then the Dodgers and Diamondbacks came from all directions. The dugouts and bullpens emptied, and the teams converged around Park near the mound.

Karros stepped between Park and the onrushing Diamondback mob, protecting his pitcher, and it appeared Stottlemyre had to be restrained from going after anyone wearing Dodger Blue.

There was a lot of pushing and shouting, but no one was ejected. The at-bat resumed, and Williams eventually struck out, eliciting cheers in the crowd.

Park was removed for a pinch-hitter after seven strong innings, giving up four hits--including two homers--and two earned runs. He struck out seven and walked one.

Adrian Beltre opened the scoring in the second, hitting a two-out, two-run homer to left field against Stottlemyre. The blast on a 0-and-1 count gave Park a 2-0 lead.