04/17/2007 2:09 AM ET Penny handles D-backs for seven Gonzalez goes 0-for-4 in return to old home in Arizona By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com PHOENIX -- Brad Penny had an 8.44 ERA and a sore shoulder during the exhibition season, while Jason Schmidt had a 4.50 ERA and a dramatic drop in velocity. On Monday, the former remained unbeaten on the young season, and the latter underwent an MRI in search of his fastball. Penny scattered five hits over seven innings in pitching the Dodgers into first place with a 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks. But earlier in the day, Schmidt submitted to an imaging test of his shoulder and elbow, the results of which were not revealed. "We'll know more tomorrow," said Schmidt, who has a 7.36 ERA in three starts. Schmidt was signed to a $47 million contract to bolster a rotation that sagged late last year, and nobody sagged more than Penny, who has shifted back into first-half mode. At 0.89, last year's All-Star Game starting pitcher has the lowest starting ERA on the club. A year ago in the first half, he went 10-2 with a 2.91 ERA. Penny, hitting 95 mph when he needed to, credits better health and lower pitch counts to his 3-0 start, as well as good fortune. "People don't realize that this really is a game of inches," he said. "An inch here or there and an out is a hit. Last year in the second half [when he went 6-7], they were dropping in. Tonight, they're hitting balls at people, and our defense was playing awesome. And my pitch count was low. Last year in the second half, I'd have 100 pitches in the fifth inning." The Dodgers' defense erased one run at the plate on a perfect relay from former D-backs oufielder Luis Gonzalez in left field to shortstop Rafael Furcal to catcher Russell Martin. "My arm looks a lot better when Furcal is halfway out there to take the relay," joked Gonzalez, who received a standing ovation his first at-bat, but went on to an 0-for-4 night. "This was a great night, especially when you win. It was nice to get that reception from the fans, and I'm glad it's over. It's nice that they remember you." Furcal and Jeff Kent turned a slick double play behind Penny, who scattered five hits over seven innings as the Dodgers improved to 9-4. Penny is 6-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 12 career starts against the Diamondbacks. "What you've seen this year from Brad Penny, he's not out there grunting on every pitch trying to throw 110 [mph]," said manager Grady Little. "He's trying to take his stuff and throwing pitches to get guys out. He's got good command. Where he's gotten into trouble in the past is when you try to hump up and throw it by guys. What he's doing now is pitching, he's not throwing, and he's getting good results." Martin, who extended his hitting streak to eight games, said the splitter Penny took out of mothballs has made a big difference. "It's helped his whole arsenal," said Martin. "In the first half last year, he used the changeup, then went to the splitty, then back to the changeup. In Spring Training, when he was getting hit, he was working on the splitter. Now he's able to mix it in well. When a pitcher knows he's got the team made, he's approaching Spring Training just to get ready for April and the stats don't matter." Penny also said having an early lead fueled his aggressive approach. The Dodgers scored single runs in the first three innings. Nomar Garciaparra, who doubled in the first run, slugged a solo homer in the fifth and is batting .478 during a six-game hitting streak. Andre Ethier, who broke out of a two-week slump Sunday night, had two more hits and made two difficult catches. Juan Pierre had a pair of hits, a pair of runs and his fifth stolen base. "My uniform ain't been this dirty all season," said Pierre. "We sent a message early that we'll play this style of ball. Any time you're in first place, no matter what time of year, it means you're playing well." "That was a big day for Juan Pierre. That's the player we're looking for," said Little. "When he and Furcal get it going at the same time, it's going to be something to see." --

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