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Pierre's clutch hit propels Dodgers past Brewers

May 15, 2008 - 4:24 AM By David Cotey PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Juan Pierre continues to make the most of his opportunities.

The veteran outfielder hit a two-run double off Milwaukee Brewers closer-of-the-day Guillermo Mota to propel the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-4 win at Miller Park on Wednesday.

Pierre, the team's leadoff hitter with shortstop Rafael Furcal sidelined with an injury, had three hits and drove in three as the Dodgers snapped their five-game losing streak.

"I've led off before, so it's not too much pressure," Pierre said. "I just try to get on and score runs. Tonight I was on the other end with some RBIs."

With one out in the ninth, Mota (1-2) walked pinch hitter Delwyn Young and allowed a hit to pinch hitter Andre Ethier before Pierre doubled into the left-center field gap to give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead.

"I was looking for something up," Pierre said. "My game isn't to hit fly balls, but I was trying to get 'DY' in from third. I split the gap and the rest is history, I guess."

After Pierre stole third, he scored on Andruw Jones' groundout.

"Everyone knows that the bullpen has to be ready for any situation," Mota said. "I just tried to go out there and do my job. I was not real good tonight. It was my chance tonight and I didn't do the job."

Mota had closed out the Brewers' 8-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, but Eric Gagne finished off the Dodgers in Milwaukee's 5-3 win Tuesday. Brian Shouse also earned a save against the Cardinals last Sunday.

"Eric had thrown 60 pitches in two games," said Brewers manager Ned Yost of Gagne, who was unavailable Wednesday. "That's a lot of pitches. I needed (Salomon) Torres to get me an out, I needed Shouse to get me an out. My only choice left was Mota, (Seth) McClung and (Mitch) Stetter, so I chose Mota."

The Dodgers' rally made a winner of Jonathan Broxton (2-1), who recorded two outs in the eighth inning. Takashi Saito struck out two in the ninth for his sixth save.

"A lot of good things happened," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "Hopefully we can build on it. It's a great way to break a losing streak."

Mota's meltdown cost Brewers starter Manny Parra a chance for his second win. The 25-year-old lefthander allowed three runs - one earned - and seven hits with four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

"Manny was a totally different person on the mound," Yost said. "He's making little strides every time out. Tonight was a big stride. It was very encouraging. He threw a great game."

It was the fifth straight game that a Brewers pitcher tossed a quality start and the first time the team did that since May 27-31 of last season.

Parra (2-2) also delivered a two-run single in a three-run third inning off Dodgers starter Derek Lowe, who allowed just six singles in six innings.

"To come back and win is very, very important at this stage of the season, considering the streak we were on," Lowe said. "The bullpen came in and did a tremendous job. It was a great game for us to pull out."