Dodgers 6, Giants 0

By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Even in June, the NL West race is serious business. Just ask Hideo Nomo, who didn't crack a smile while keeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the thick of it.

Nomo allowed two hits over seven dominant innings, and Adrian Beltre hit a three-run homer as the Dodgers salvaged the finale of an entertaining rivalry series, beating the San Francisco Giants 6-0 Wednesday night.

After scoring just three runs in the first two games of the series, the Dodgers got 16 hits but the night belonged to Nomo (9-6), who won his third straight start. He faced just three batters over the minimum, never allowing a runner to reach third base as Los Angeles cut San Francisco's lead atop the division back to one game.

``We lost the last two nights in a row, so that means it was really good to win tonight,'' Nomo said through an interpreter.

Nomo had no trouble with Barry Bonds or the rest of the Giants' lineup in his 13th career victory over San Francisco the Japanese right-hander's personal best against any opponent. He's 9-1 in his career at Candlestick Park and Pacific Bell Park.

``We got a couple of big hits this time, and with (Nomo) pitching, that's all you need,'' Beltre said. ``He's our ace, and I think people know that now.''

Mike Kinkade also homered, and Ron Coomer and Cesar Izturis had run-scoring singles as the Dodgers won for just the second time in their last 10 games in San Francisco. Their first five games here this season were all one-run losses.

Four of Nomo's nine victories have followed a Los Angeles loss, and a fifth came on opening day. Nomo struck out seven while lowering his ERA to 2.41 third-lowest in the NL behind teammate Kevin Brown and San Francisco's Jason Schmidt.

``That was quite a step-up performance once again,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``He has developed a habit of doing that for us. He's throwing a lot of Strike Ones, and when he's doing that, you know there's a long night ahead of that other team.''

After minor cramps developed in Nomo's legs, Wilson Alvarez finished the combined three-hitter with two innings of relief.

``Nomo took advantage of a big lead,'' Giants manager Felipe Alou said. ``He had better stuff the last time we faced him. Their pitchers don't normally have that luxury. I've seen him with better stuff, but he had an easy time of it tonight.''

After opening the series with two contentious, low-scoring defeats, the Dodgers thrashed Damian Moss (7-6), who was dismal in the shortest start of his first season with the Giants.

The Dodgers began the game with two fly-ball outs, but 11 of their next 14 hitters reached base before Moss was chased without getting an out in the third. The Australian left-hander allowed eight hits, five runs and a walk, hitting two batters and balking once.

``I don't know what's going on,'' Moss said. ``I'm throwing strikes, but the results aren't there. It's very frustrating. I've got to look at some film from last year and try to figure it out.''

Shawn Green's leadoff double in the third was followed by singles from Kinkade and Coomer, who drove in Green. Beltre hit Moss' next pitch into the left-field stands for his sixth homer of the season.

Kinkade hit a solo homer in the seventh off reliever Chad Zerbe.

After watching the auction of his 73rd home run ball in the clubhouse before the game, Bonds went 0-for-3 with a seventh-inning strikeout against Nomo.< ^Notes:@ Jim Brower pitched four scoreless innings in relief of Moss. ... Brian Jordan was a last-minute scratch from the Dodgers' lineup. Jordan, already bothered by sore oblique muscles, strained his left leg while beating out an infield single on Tuesday night. ... The Dodgers open the second half of the Freeway Series in Anaheim on Friday, while the Giants host the Oakland Athletics in the Bay Bridge Series.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)