DENVER - Olmedo Saenz and Sandy Alomar Jr. usually have a lot of time on their hands. But both role players came off the bench Sunday to help the Los Angeles Dodgers reclaim a 6-5 victory from the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
The Dodgers rallied for two runs in the ninth, winning a series they were two outs from losing and taking sole possession of first place in the NL West for the first time since May 13, 2005.
"That's huge," rookie catcher Russell Martin said of the role-player rally. "That's tough to do - every time you come up, you're coming in cold off the bench and you do that? That's a talent."
Dodgers starter Derek Lowe took a 4-1 lead into the sixth inning thanks to three runs on two home runs by rookie outfielder Matt Kemp. But Lowe gave up two runs in the sixth and left after 52/3 innings, his shortest outing since opening day. Reliever Jonathan Broxton gave up a two-run home run to Todd Helton in the seventh, and the Dodgers went into the ninth trailing, 5-4.
With one out in the ninth, Dodgers manager Grady Little turned to Saenz, who has hit .279 (29 for 104) with four home runs and 25 RBIs as a pinch-hitter since the Dodgers signed him in 2004.
"I think it's more about having an idea of the pitcher and what he's trying to do," said Saenz, who studies situations as much as pitchers to prepare for his pinch-hit appearances. "It's more mental than anything else. You come in and get your work every day (to stay ready) but once the game starts you have to be ready mentally and be prepared and have a plan for that at-bat."
Saenz worked the count full against Rockies closer Brian Fuentes and his funky delivery, then lashed a double into the left-field corner, barely beating the throw to second.
"I was trying to put myself in scoring position to tie the game," Saenz said. "It was going to be a lot harder for me to score from first, let me tell you. My wheels are not so good. I have to be honest."
Saenz's gamble paid off when Martin followed with a double down the third-base line to tie the score.
Little then pinch-hit for Kenny Lofton against the left-handed Fuentes. Alomar hadn't played since June 2, has made just four starts since Martin was promoted on May4, and has had more than one at-bat in a game just six times since April 26.
But he poked a single past Helton to drive in Martin with the go-ahead run, raising his average for the season to .367 (18 for 49) and a remarkable .625 (10 for 16) with runners in scoring position.
"This guy's a professional. He's always ready," Little said. "We have a few of those on this team . . . . They can go a week or 10 days and when they're asked to do something, they're always ready.
"Olmedo's the same way. He's good at his job, very good at his job."
