Grand day lifts Ross, Dodgers
PITTSBURGH -- If this was Cody Ross's last game for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he certainly gave them something to remember him by.
Ross hit a grand slam and a three-run homer in successive at-bats and the Dodgers rode a big game from a spare outfielder whose roster status is in doubt to a 13-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday.
Ross started only because J.D. Drew got the afternoon off after playing the night before, and went on to drive in seven runs. He hit a go-ahead grand slam in the fifth off Oliver Perez (0-2) and a three-run drive an inning later against Damaso Marte.
Bill Mueller added a two-run double in the five-run sixth, and Olmedo Saenz had a two-run homer among his three hits and drove in four runs. Saenz went 8 for 14 with two homers and seven RBIs as the teams split the four-game series, combining for 18 homers -- nine by each team -- in what is supposed to be a pitchers' park.
The 25-year-old Ross went into the game knowing it might be his last for the Dodgers. Center fielder Kenny Lofton (calf) is ready to come off the disabled list, and manager Grady Little said the logical move is to send Ross to Triple A. However, Ross is out of options and must pass through waivers if the Dodgers try to demote him.
''Normally it's day by day, but, seriously, it's minute by minute around here," Ross said. ''I have no clue. I haven't had one person say anything remotely close to what's going on."
After the first seven-RBI game by a Dodgers player since Shawn Green against Milwaukee on May 23, 2002, Little backtracked somewhat. He said the Dodgers might keep Ross and send down one of the seven relievers in a bullpen that has underperformed all season.
If nothing else, Ross gave another team an idea of what he is capable of doing. He is 6 for 12 with nine RBIs this season.
''I know somebody's got to go down, and I'm sure they have a tough decision, but I try not to let that affect my game," said Ross, who began the game with eight career RBIs. ''It weighs on my mind, it's stressful, but I try not to think about it during the game."
Ross also became one of the few major leaguers in history to hit grand slams for each of his first two career homers. Before yesterday, his only previous homer was a grand slam for the Tigers on Sept. 2, 2003, against the Indians.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other active major leaguer to begin his career by hitting grand slams for each of his first two homers was Craig Counsell for the Marlins in 1997-98.
Ross ended that streak with his three-run drive in the sixth -- not that the Dodgers cared after losing the previous two nights when the Pirates hit a combined eight homers.
Dodgers starter Derek Lowe (1-1) wasn't especially sharp while pitching on three days' rest, allowing four runs -- two earned -- and six hits in six innings, but got deep enough into the game to benefit from Ross's two homers. He struck out five and walked three.
