Kelly Makes Amends as Dodgers Win, 4-2

Tom Candiotti pitched seven strong innings and Roberto Kelly broke a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the seventh to lead the Dodgers past the Florida Marlins, 4-2, Sunday night.

Mike Piazza pinch-hit in the eighth for Candiotti (5-8) and belted his 16th homer against reliever Richie Lewis. Todd Worrell struck out Tommy Gregg with the bases loaded to end the eighth, then allowed one run in the ninth for his 16th save.

Chris Hammond (6-3) had a two-hit shutout until Kelly hit his third home run of the year following a walk to Eric Karros with two out in the seventh.

Kelly added an RBI double in the ninth, redeeming himself for a mistake the previous day.

On Saturday, he dropped a popup that led to five unearned runs in Florida’s 11-10 victory. The Dodgers, who lost that game despite 16 hits, won Sunday with six hits.

Trailing, 2-0, Florida loaded the bases in the seventh on two singles and a hit batter. Center fielder Todd Hollandsworth made a tumbling catch of Charles Johnson’s sacrifice fly, and Candiotti struck out pinch-hitter Alex Arias to end the inning.

Quilvio Veras drove in the Marlins’ other run with a two-out single in the ninth.

Candiotti allowed one run, one walk and five hits, all singles, while striking out seven. He has a 1.59 ERA in his past 12 starts but had been winless since June 25.

The Dodgers’ starters have an ERA of 1.36 in the past 10 games.

Hammond, who beat Candiotti and the Dodgers, 4-0, on July 13, lost this time despite a career-high 10 strikeouts, including nine in the first 4 1/3 innings. Hammond retired 17 of the first 18 batters and allowed three hits in seven innings.

Center fielder Chuck Carr kept the Marlins close with two catches in the eighth, diving on one and bouncing off the wall on the other.

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Dodger Notes

Prior to the game, Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda pitched in an all-star game for Cuban legends. He was knocked out in the first inning, and one single went between his legs.