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Lyon's throwing error gives Dodgers 6-3 win

Sep 12, 2010 - 4:59 AM HOUSTON (AP) -- Dodgers manager Joe Torre wasn't around to see the wild ending of Los Angeles' victory.

Reliever Brandon Lyon's threw away a bunt for a tiebreaking two-run error in a three-run ninth inning, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

Torre was ejected in the first inning by plate umpire Paul Emmel. Torre complained from the dugout after Casey Blake was called out on strikes, then left the dugout following the ejection to speak with Emmel.

"I wasn't around long enough to see much but it turned out good," Torre said.

Torre said he was defending his player.

"The umpire looked over and says 'that's enough, I don't want to hear it.' and I said 'then get it right.' He warned me and I said it again and he threw me out. I didn't curse him and I shouldn't have been thrown out. I'm just glad we had a good result."

With the score 3-3, Trent Oeltjen singled off Lyon (6-6) and Reed Johnson reached on a bunt single down the first-base line.

A.J. Ellis bunted, and Lyon picked up the sacrifice, then hesitated and threw wildly to first as two runs scored. Ellis went to third on the error and scored on pinch-hitter James Loney's double.

"I was able to see from where I was running that the ball got through on a low throw," Ellis said. "I was trying to get everybody's attention to start running."

Kenley Jansen (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth inning to win his first major league decision in his 18th appearance.

"That's how you win and lose games is defense and making plays," Lyon said. "It just snowballed into that and before you know we were down some runs. Those were the games we've been winning as of late and tonight wasn't one of those days."

Dodgers starter John Ely, recalled Monday from Triple-A Albuquerque, made his first big league appearance since July 10 and allowed three runs and six hits in six innings with four strikeouts and one walked.

"We needed that from Ely," Torre said. "He started a little rough like he was trying to overthrow. But after three innings he seemed to smooth out. That was a quality start, six innings. He got in a jam and out of a jam. I was pleased and I know he had to be."

Ely acknowledged he was excited in the first inning.

"You get out there and get a little anxious," Ely said. "I settled in and got into a rhythm and kept the hitters off balance for the most part."

Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez gave up three runs and five hits in seven innings, matching his season high by striking out 10 for the third time.

"It was nice to see Wandy finish strong, even after what all happened there in the fourth inning," Astros manager Brad Mills said. "He had 10 strikeouts in seven innings. Other than the fourth inning, he threw the ball really well."

Blake's 15th homer, and run-scoring singles by Johnson and Ellis put the Dodgers ahead in a three-run fourth.

Michael Bourn tripled in the fourth and scored in Jeff Keppinger's single. Brett Wallace homered leading off the sixth, and Bourn's RBI groundout tied it.

"I got a pretty good pitch to hit there, and I did. I think, like I've said all along, it's just a matter of being comfortable," Wallace said. "I think that I am finally back to being aggressive in my game plan. I feel good up there, and hopefully I can continue with that."

Notes: Dodgers Triple-A Albuquerque manager Tim Wallach will spend the remainder of the season as a coach with the Dodgers. ... Torre's ejection was his second this season and his fourth as Dodger's manager. ... Former Astros C Brad Ausmus is to start against his old team in Sunday's series finale.