BROWN HITS THE BRAKES DODGERS' SKID ENDS AT FOUR AS ACE IN VINTAGE FORM DODGERS 3, MILWAUKEE 0.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

From the depths of where Kevin Brown was last season with a debilitating back injury, just getting back on the mound and pitching competitively was a fine goal.

Quietly, the Dodgers hoped for more, and once Brown believed he was healthy and recovered in spring training, he demanded more.

Talk around baseball is that Brown is back to his pre-injury form, and Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers he showed what a staff ace should be. Backed by a strong defense, Brown pitched eight shutout innings to help the Dodgers stop a losing streak at four games with a 3-0 victory at Dodger Stadium.

Brown (7-1) has won his past four starts and past six decisions. In his past seven starts, Brown has a 1.06 ERA and has not allowed more than one earned run in any of the outings.

``I don't think there's any question. To me, he's the best pitcher in the National League,'' said Dodgers catcher Paul Lo Duca, who extended his hitting streak to 10 with an eighth-inning RBI single. ``It's like he was before, before he was injured. Just dominant. The kind of guy that can embarrass you.''

Furthermore, Brown used his heavy sinker and slick-moving fastball to improve to 4-2 with a 1.80 ERA in six starts following a Dodgers loss. His allowed six hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out six to lower his ERA to a National League-best 2.02.

``There are times when I feel physically better than what I was in '99 or 2000,'' said Brown, who led the league with a 2.58 ERA in 2000. ``I say that with a grain of salt, knowing there are no guarantees. At this point, I think physically, I may be a little bit better even before my arm and the back and stuff came up.''

Dodgers first baseman Fred McGriff provided much-needed run support with a two-run homer in the third inning, the 487th of his career. His shot to right field off starter Ruben Quevedo (0-2) was his team-leading ninth of the season and boosted his team-leading RBI total to 31.

Closer Eric Gagne pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 19th save of the season, and his 27 th straight dating back to 2002.

Dodgers left fielder Brian Jordan returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sore left hand after being hit with a pitch Wednesday in Colorado. He batted with a protective pad on his left hand and went 1 for 4.

``It hurts, but I can move around and get pretty good bat speed,'' Jordan said. ``I just have to work through it.''

While McGriff's homer gave Brown the early 2-0 cushion, the infield aided greatly with a pair of stellar double plays.

In the third inning Brown fielded a grounder and fired to second base. He was throwing to second baseman Alex Cora, but shortstop Cesar Izturiscut in front to stretch and catch the ball, then dragged his leg to tag the bag before throwing to first.

The strong defense continued in the seventh when Adrian Beltre fielded Royce Clayton's grounder deep behind third. Beltre quickly threw to Cora at second to being an inning-ending double play.

``I think if I had that kind of defense behind me my whole career I might have a few more wins,'' Brown said. ``It definitely would have been a lot easier.''

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

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Kevin Brown, who has won his past four starts and past six decisions, pitched eight shutout innings Saturday to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer