Saenz lifts Dodgers over struggling Jays

Last Updated: Saturday, June 9, 2007 | 2:00 AM ET

CBC Sports

Pinch hitter Olmedo Saenz's two-run home run in the 10th inning gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 4-3 victory over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays during interleague action Friday night.

With the Jays clinging to a 3-2 lead, Saenz took closer Jeremy Accardo over the left-field wall, extending Toronto's losing streak to three games.

Blue Jays pitcher Dustin McGowan, bottom, is forced out at second by Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal in the sixth inning Friday night.
(Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

It was the second straight defeat for Accardo, who allowed two runs against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the ninth inning Thursday afternoon during a 5-3 loss at home.

On Friday, Accardo walked Dodgers third baseman Tony Abreu before giving up the game-winning blast to Saenz.

The Jays appeared headed for a win in the top of the 10th after Gregg Zaun's first hit in more than a month put Toronto in front 3-2.

Zaun, who's recovering from a fractured thumb, slapped a base hit off the glove off Abreu to score John McDonald.

But Accardo simply couldn't fend off the pesky Dodgers, who won their second consecutive game.

The loss spoiled an outstanding pitching performance by Jays pitcher Dustin McGowan.

In his best start of the season, McGowan (2-3) proved challenging for the L.A. hitters. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed a second-inning double, and then retired the next 16 straight Dodger batters.

However, L.A. second baseman Jeff Kent stroked a one-out double in the seventh before outfielder Luis Gonzalez parked a McGowan fastball over the right-field wall to give L.A. a 2-1 lead.

Stairs ties it up

The Jays would not go quietly as first baseman Matt Stairs homered off Dodgers closer Takashi Saito to even the game in the ninth.

The Fredericton native, replacing the injured Lyle Overbay at first, has hit eight home runs for the season.

Since going 0-2 with a 7.17 ERA in his first four starts of the season, McGowan has allowed just seven runs in his last 21 2/3 innings. On Friday, McGowan pitched seven solid innings, giving up only four hits, including the Gonzalez homer.

Dodgers starter Brad Penny was also terrific Friday night, earning the victory after allowing one run and no walks in 7 2/3 innings of work. Penny, who sports an impressive 8-1 record, began the game retiring the first seven Blue Jays.

The Jays got on the board first in the fourth when Troy Glaus singled over the outstretched glove of Kent to bring home Alex Rios.

The Jays continue their long stretch of interleague play Saturday against the Dodgers (10:10 p.m., ET).

Following the three-game set at Dodger Stadium, the Blue Jays will head to San Francisco to take on another National League West opponent in the Giants before returning home to face the Washington Nationals, the Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies.

Toronto won't meet another American League team until opening a four-game road series against the Minnesota Twins on June 25.