Greg Maddux pitched the Dodgers back into the playoffs, a key second-half piece on the club's remade roster put together to bring Los Angeles back to respectability after an awful 2005.
Maddux outdueled star rookie Matt Cain, hit a single and even stole a base as the Dodgers won their sixth straight game, beating the San Francisco Giants 4-2 Saturday.
After winning the NL West in 2004, the Dodgers went 71-91 last year, among the worst seasons in franchise history.
Los Angeles and San Diego began the day tied for the division lead. The Dodgers' victory ensured them and first-year manager Grady Little at least the wild card _ the rest of the NL playoff picture was still to be sorted out.
It was fitting that Maddux (15-14) had much to do with the Dodgers' return to the playoffs. They acquired the 300-game winner from the Chicago Cubs at the trading deadline to give them a veteran arm for the stretch run _ and he won six games for them.
Los Angeles, which led the NL West from Aug. 10 to Sept. 16, had its share of dramatic wins to get to this point _ including a 4-3 victory in Friday night's series opener.
Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti left his job as assistant GM of the rival Giants and overhauled the Dodgers last winter, hiring Little to replace Jim Tracy.
Julio Lugo hit a sacrifice fly in the first for the Dodgers and the Giants tied it in the bottom half on Lance Niekro's RBI groundout.
Lugo doubled in a run in the third before Niekro's solo homer leading off the fourth. J.D. Drew doubled in a run in the Los Angeles fifth.
Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra missed the game after re-injuring his left side on a swinging strikeout in the eighth inning Friday.
Last season marked the Dodgers' second-worst finish since moving west from Brooklyn in 1958, and Colletti decided Little was the man to turn things around.
Los Angeles also added Garciaparra and Kenny Lofton to join holdovers Jeff Kent and Drew, then dealt for Maddux.
Maddux allowed three hits and two runs, struck out four and didn't walk a batter in seven strong innings. Takashi Saito finished for his 24th save in 26 chances.
Garciaparra moved from shortstop to first base, and Los Angeles also brought in shortstop Rafael Furcal, third baseman Bill Mueller and pitcher Brett Tomko as free agents.
Los Angeles reached the playoffs despite not having closer Eric Gagne for most of the year. He has spent two stints on the disabled list after undergoing surgery to remove a nerve in his elbow and also an operation on his back.
Cain (13-12) allowed nine hits and four runs, struck out four and walked two in 5 2-3 innings.
Giants outfielder Randy Winn was a late scratch because of a left calf strain. Slugger Barry Bonds had the day off and was set to play in Sunday's season finale.
Notes: Giants C Eliezer Alfonzo left in the fourth with dizziness after getting hit by a foul tip. ... Los Angeles has won four straight in the rivalry. ... The Dodgers set a franchise record for doubles in a season with 305. The 1930 Brooklyn Dodgers hit 303 doubles.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
