Dodgers Are Sweep Deprived

Before the Dodgers rush a printing order for playoff tickets, they still might want to address the little matter of their National League-worst offense.

Their recent impressive run isn’t enough to make that major problem disappear, a point Jason Schmidt illustrated Thursday night in a 2-0 victory by the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.

The power pitcher overwhelmed the Dodgers before 51,044, tossing a three-hitter with 11 strikeouts to end their winning streak at eight while helping the Giants salvage a victory in the three-game series and reclaim sole possession of first place in the NL West.

Schmidt (6-3) delivered the type of big-game performance the Giants expect from their ace, relying on a crackling fastball -- clocked consistently between 94-97 mph -- to silence the Dodgers, who scored 12 runs in taking the first two games.

The Giants (43-28) escaped Los Angeles with a one-game advantage over the Dodgers (42-29), and that’s better than the alternative.

“One game’s better than nothing, right?� Giant Manager Felipe Alou said. “To avoid the sweep, we felt pretty good with Schmidt on the mound. He controlled that game all night long.�

Solo home runs from Benito Santiago in the fourth and Andres Galarraga in the seventh against Dodger starter Odalis Perez (4-5) provided the offense, and Schmidt did the rest to end the Giants’ losing streak at three.

Even Paul Lo Duca was overmatched.

Schmidt ended Lo Duca’s career-high hitting streak at 25 games, retiring the catcher on two fly balls and a groundout after he walked in the first.

“My first at-bat, I knew he was throwing BBs,� said Lo Duca, who batted .422 during the streak. “I didn’t put too much pressure on myself, I’m more disappointed that we lost. We won the series, but I’m a little disappointed we didn’t get the sweep.�

Schmidt was especially pleased about ending Lo Duca’s run.

“It’s a little added bonus,� Schmidt said. “Going into the game, you know that’s someone you’re going to have to keep off base.�

The streak tied for the fifth longest in franchise history, and it figured Lo Duca would come up empty on a night Schmidt’s tank was full.

“He was pretty nasty tonight,� said struggling right fielder Shawn Green, who grounded into a double play in the first inning and struck out with runners on first and second to end the third while going 0 for 3 with a walk.

“He was throwing 97 [mph], up in the zone, and mixing off-speed stuff in there. Really, it was as good an outing as you’re going to see. It was as good a pitched performance as you’re going to get.�

Said third baseman Adrian Beltre: “We took the first two and were looking for the third one, but Schmidt was pretty tough. He was locating his fastball, throwing 94-97.

“We only had a couple of chances and we didn’t take advantage of it. We didn’t have too much for him.�

As further proof of his dominance in a 127-pitch, 92-strike outing, Schmidt retired the side in order in the second, fourth, fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth. In the ninth, Green flied out and Brian Jordan and Daryle Ward struck out swinging.

“It’s one of those days with a little extra incentive,� said Schmidt, coming off a mediocre performance by his standards in a loss to the Kansas City Royals.

“We lost two of three in Kansas City, and the first two here. I just couldn’t wait to get out there. I felt strong from the beginning.�

Schmidt was so good that Perez’s fine seven-inning, two-run outing was dwarfed in comparison. And that came from Perez.

“He was pitching like a Cy Young tonight,� said the left-hander, who had his second consecutive strong performance.

“For me to pitch a quality game like that was good. It makes me feel like I’m getting back on track.�

But if Perez was on the track, Schmidt was the big train.

“He was throwing hard, first-pitch strikes,� shortstop Cesar Izturis said. “You go up there and do your best, but nothing you can do about it.�