Lima Is Central to Astros’ Success

HOUSTON —  The applause began before Astro Manager Larry Dierker emerged from the dugout in the eighth inning Saturday afternoon, and a standing ovation soon followed.

An appreciative and raucous Astrodome crowd of 52,062 simply couldn’t wait to thank pitcher Jose Lima for his dominant 7 2/3-inning outing during the Astros’ key 3-0 victory over the Dodgers.

With Lima leading the way, the Astros (96-65) took a one-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central Division. The Astros now have the upper hand in the race for the division championship and NL wild-card berth, although the situation remains unresolved with the regular season ending today.

“I can’t say enough about what Jose Lima did on three days’ rest,” said Dierker, whose team has lost nine of 14. “He has a resilient arm; he always volunteers to pitch between starts.

“But to get 7 2/3 shutout innings from him on the fourth day at the end of a logjam season is remarkable.”

The flamboyant right-hander overwhelmed the Dodgers with a crackling fastball and single-minded focus. And the crowd helped too, energizing Lima (21-10) by cheering louder than usual while enjoying his typical mound antics.

Holding a 1-0 lead courtesy of Craig Biggio’s sixth-inning leadoff homer, Lima worked the fans into a frenzy when he was replaced by closer Billy Wagner with two out and a runner on in the eighth, gesturing for more noise by holding his cap as if he were seeking donations.

Wagner gave up a single to Eric Karros to put runners on the corners with Raul Mondesi coming up. However, Wagner induced a fielder’s choice from Mondesi to end the final Dodger threat.

Pinch-hitter Bill Spiers’ two-run single in the eighth against Mike Maddux gave the Astros a 3-0 lead. The hard-throwing Wagner did the rest in earning his 39th save.

Wagner retired the side in the ninth after giving up a leadoff single to Devon White, striking out pinch-hitter Jose Vizcaino looking on a 98-mph fastball to end it.

The Astros will clinch the Central Division title with a victory over the Dodgers (77-84) today, or if the Reds lose to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Astros and Reds (95-66) would finish with identical records if the Dodgers and Reds win today.

The Astros could also make the playoffs as a wild-card team if they lose today, the Reds win and the New York Mets lose to Pittsburgh, but they weren’t focused on those details Saturday. They have survived a season-ending slump to reach this point, and Lima was the man of the moment.

“After the game, it was another level [of emotion] on the field,” Dierker said. “I think he was more excited after this game than he was after he won 20 because, to him, what happens to the team is more important than what happens to any individual.”

Lima gave up seven hits and was in command throughout his 108-pitch, 77-strike effort. His toughest moment occurred in the sixth when the Dodgers loaded the bases on two hits and a walk, but Mondesi grounded into a fielder’s choice and the game remained scoreless.

Biggio opened the Astros’ half of the inning with his 16th homer against Dodger starter Chan Ho Park (13-11), who pitched arguably his best game of the season but was overshadowed by Lima.

In seven innings, Park gave up Biggio’s solo shot and only three other hits. He was scheduled to return to Los Angeles on Saturday night, then leave Thursday for South Korea to begin four weeks of mandatory military basic training.

“It’s hard to beat a 20-game winner,” Park said. “He pitched great and he was very impressive today, but I feel great about how I pitched, especially against a good team. They were ready for us today because they really had to win.”