Career Has Been Quite a Trip for Cromer

Shortstop Tripp Cromer was a hit in his first Dodger start.

Cromer, whose contract was purchased from triple-A Albuquerque last Tuesday, had a career-best three RBIs and tied his career-high with three hits in Saturday’s 11-0 victory over the Giants.

“I don’t want to say I was surprised, but I wasn’t expecting such a good game,” Cromer said.

He singled in a run in the fourth inning off Giant starter William VanLandingham, doubled in a run off Jim Poole in the sixth and singled in a run with two out in the eighth off Rich Rodriguez.

Cromer appeared in 95 games as a shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1995 when Ozzie Smith was sidelined because of a shoulder injury. The Dodgers signed him as a free agent last winter after he had spent seven seasons in the Cardinal organization.

“Until last year I had some doubt,” Cromer said. “I didn’t know where my career was going. I’m just thankful the Dodgers gave me another chance.”

*

Pitcher Ramon Martinez, scratched from Saturday’s game against the Giants because of a tender shoulder, said it’s been bothering him for about two weeks.

“I’ve felt bad before, but I haven’t had this kind of pain,” Martinez said. “I want to take care of it.”

Martinez, who has pitched 94 2/3 innings, will be examined by team physician Frank Jobe on Monday.

*

Russell rested shortstop Greg Gagne and center fielder Brett Butler on Saturday. . . . Roger Cedeno, who started in place of Butler, had two hits in four at-bats with a run.