L.A.'s Weaver hopes to erase memory of '03

The former Yankee gave up a key homer in Game 4 of the World Series.
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Jeff Weaver has lived with the memory long enough.
The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher is hoping for a better outcome than the last time he appeared in the postseason -- last year, when he allowed a game-deciding home run.
Weaver (13-13), who starts tonight in Game 2 of the NL division playoffs against the St. Louis Cardinals, has been the most consistent pitcher on a most inconsistent staff. He was among the league leaders in innings and also led the Dodgers in starts and strikeouts.
If the Dodgers make it to Game 5 of the playoffs, Weaver will be manager Jim Tracy's choice from a three-man playoff rotation to go with three days of rest.
Weaver would like to be remembered for something other than his contribution last year for the New York Yankees. Pitching for the first time in about a month, he gave up a 12th-inning homer to Florida's Alex Gonzalez in pivotal Game 4 of the World Series.
Better situation
"I don't think it's ever going to leave my mind, but this is a much better situation for me," Weaver said. "I've been thinking about this a long time in order to kind of have a happy highlight instead of a sour one. So, I can't wait."
He was 7-9 with a 5.99 ERA last year for New York before being sent to Los Angeles in a trade for Kevin Brown.
Weaver got a change of scenery, but wasn't sure if that was the reason for his turnaround. He had been enthusiastic about proving himself anew in New York.
Still, getting a guaranteed spot in the rotation was a plus.
"Knowing that you're going to be out there every five days is comforting in itself, and who knows if that was the case in New York that things wouldn't have turned also," Weaver said. "I'm happy to be home and I have a fresh start and I'm glad things have turned around and worked so we've gotten the team in the playoffs."
Perfect choice
Tracy believes Weaver is the perfect choice to help turn the tide after the Cardinals tied a postseason record with five home runs off Odalis Perez and two relievers in Game 1 on Tuesday.
"Jeff could have very easily won 17 or 18 games without doing anything differently, not one thing," Tracy said. "He's been the workhorse of our staff, there's no getting around that, and he's been the model of consistency since the first live ball we threw back in April."
Weaver faces a tall order: the NL's best lineup, plus one of the league's best-hitting pitchers. The Cardinals led the league in batting average and runs, and there are no weak spots with Jason Marquis, who hit .292 with nine RBIs. Marquis led NL pitchers in hits and was one behind Livan Hernandez of the Expos for the lead in RBIs.
"Very potent. I mean, one through eight, and in some cases the pitcher can hit," Weaver said. "It reminds me of an American League team.
"It kind of reminds me of the Yankees and Boston, because any guy in the lineup can hurt you."
Former Brave
Marquis (15-7) is one of those rare pitchers who thrived only after leaving the Braves, winning no games for Atlanta last year before coming to St. Louis in an off-season trade for J.D. Drew.
The biggest reason the Cardinals are using him instead of more experienced Matt Morris or Jeff Suppan in Game 2 is because he can go on four days of rest, a situation where he's been at his best.
Overall, Marquis' had a 4.16 ERA. But pitching every fifth day the sinkerball specialist was 8-3 with a 2.46 ERA.
"I know a lot of managers are big on statistics and people say it helps your sinker," Marquis said. "I think when you're a little fresher you may be overly aggressive, tend to overthrow, and I think that takes away from what you're trying to do."
Marquis struggled in his last start, giving up three runs in 4 2/3 innings on Saturday in a loss to Milwaukee. But that outing came on five days of rest.
Making his first career postseason appearance, he'll try to put the Cardinals ahead 2-0 in the best-of-five series.
"I think he's excited about his start," manager Tony La Russa said. "If he remembers to breathe, he'll be all right."