Aase Saves Day for Dodgers’ Short Staff : Baseball: With Howell and Gott unavailable, veteran reliever shuts down Padres in ninth.

Top of the ninth. The Dodgers had just taken a 4-2 lead over the San Diego Padres. Power hitter Joe Carter was leading off the inning. It was the perfect situation for stoppers Jay Howell or Jim Gott.

But on opening day at Dodger Stadium Monday, Howell was nursing a sore shoulder and Gott was on the disabled list.

So, the call went to Don Aase, who was such an unexpected roster addition that he is not mentioned in the Dodgers’ media guide or program.

Aase retired Carter on a pop fly to first baseman Eddie Murray, made things interesting for the sellout crowd of 48,686 by walking Fred Lynn and giving up a single to Benito Santiago, then earned the save by getting Garry Templeton on a pop-up to the left side and pinch-hitter Rob Nelson on a called third strike.

Not a bad outing for a guy who wasn’t sure he had a career left when the New York Mets released him last fall.

As Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda put it, “You couldn’t have a better script for opening day.”

But for bullpen injuries and the expanded 27-man rosters this spring, Aase, a one-time Angel mainstay, might not have been in a position to earn his first save since August.

The mustachioed veteran was released by Baltimore after the 1988 season and got similar treatment from the Mets last year after posting a 1-5 record in 49 appearances.

Over the winter, Aase went into business with former pitcher John Verhoeven, opening a batting cage in Anaheim. The 35-year-old right-hander continued to work out, even though his phone stayed inactive.

“At that point, I had not heard anything (from a major league club) until the middle of February,” he said. “The last couple years, I’ve been taking it one day at a time. When you don’t hear anything, those (retirement) thoughts cross your mind.”

The Dodgers were the only team interested and Aase was signed on Feb. 20. He didn’t have impressive spring numbers--1-1 with a 4.50 earned-run average and 14 baserunners in eight innings--but the Dodgers liked his stuff and circumstances favored him.

“Basically, because of the (expanded) rosters, some of us are getting a longer look,” he said. “You just go out there and try to impress somebody.”

Aase hopes to be impressive enough to stay on when the rosters go back to 24 on April 30.

Catcher Mike Scioscia and pitching coach Ron Perranoski were impressed Monday. In saving the game for John Wetteland, Aase threw 25 pitches, mostly fastballs.

“He was throwing great,” Scioscia said. “He was very pumped. He really made some good pitches. He’s definitely throwing the ball hard. It looks like he’s throwing a little bit harder than when we saw him last year. He’s been probably our most consistent reliever in the spring. I don’t think anyone expected him to take Howell’s spot but he should get a number of saves for us.”

Perranoski said Aase may even have been too excited. They have been working on an off-speed pitch and a cut fastball, but Aase went back to basics Monday.

“I made a couple mistakes,” he said. “Opening day--I was excited. I have to concentrate better.”

With one out, Aase walked Lynn on a 3-and-2 pitch and gave up the single to Santiago on an 0-and-2 count. But then he took command. Aase struck out Nelson for the game winning out with a high fastball on the inside corner.

Perranoski said: “There were some things I saw in the spring we’re working on, things you’ll see later. He just went out there and pumped it today.”

Aase, who has a 63-59 record and 80 saves--topped by a high of 34 with Baltimore in 1986--was signed with a set-up role in mind. But with Howell and Gott hurting, he may get more save opportunities in the near future.

“We’ll go by the situation,” Lasorda said.

Said Aase: “The biggest key is to be able to go out and have good stuff consistently. I didn’t know what plans they have for me. They call your number, you go out there.”