DODGER DOLDRUMS L.A. FAILS TO BACK STRONG ASHBY EFFORT TORONTO 2, DODGERS 1.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Fresh off an emotional series win against Anaheim that featured Shawn Green hitting homers in four consecutive at-bats, and culminated with a bench-clearing gathering after Green was plunked by Dennis Cook, the Dodgers welcomed the Toronto Blue Jays to town.

Mix in an off day, a sleepy crowd and the explanation is clear as to why the Dodgers methodically stepped and yawned their way through a 2-1 loss to the dismal Blue Jays in front of 24,991 Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay (8-3) kept the Dodgers slumbering with a biting sinker as he threw his second complete game of the season. The first five batters grounded out and the Dodgers managed four hits, two of which were infield singles as the Dodgers hit five balls to the outfield.

Toronto, already 16 games out of first and barely above Tampa Bay in the American League East, ended a losing streak at five games. The Dodgers dropped two games behind Arizona in the National League West.

``I think we were just a little sluggish, coming off the off day,'' Dodgers catcher Paul Lo Duca said. ``But you have to give credit to (Halladay). It just might be that he pitched so well. You don't know if you're alive if you would have hit him.''

The Dodgers never found that out. Halladay allowed one unearned run, walked two and struck out seven.

``The Dodgers have been playing real well. That's why it means so much to do this to a contender,'' Toronto manager Carlos Tosca said. ``This is what you want from your No. 1 guy. This is why we have Halladay. That's why he's called a stopper.''

Blue Jays right fielder Raul Mondesi, making his first appearance at Chavez Ravine since he was traded from the Dodgers after the 1999 season, went 0 for 4 without hitting the ball out of the infield. Green, acquired in the Mondesi deal, went 1 for 3 with a walk and drove in the Dodgers' lone run in the eighth.

Dodgers starter Andy Ashby (6-6) continued his strong string of starts with seven innings of two-run ball. Ashby yielded seven hits, walked two and struck out five in eight innings, the fourth consecutive time he's pitched at least 7 1/3 innings. But for the third time this season, Ashby lost despite giving up two earned runs or less.

``It's a shame when you pitch that well, but yet you don't hit enough to win,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``Then what you have to do is give credit to Roy Halladay. He has good numbers coming in here, and obviously he is their best starting pitcher and we witnessed it. He pitched a fantastic game, and so did our guy.''

Ashby also seems to be the resident cursed pitcher this season. In his losses, the Dodgers have scored nine runs.

``Just another test, probably,'' said Ashby, who missed most of last season after elbow surgery. ``It's not that we're not trying to score. The main thing is to give us a chance to win. These guys score runs.''

Toronto took a 1-0 lead in the second when Jose Cruz drew a one-out walk and scored on Ken Huckaby's one-out single to right. Ashby retired 10 in a row before Felipe Lopez, in the game because Chris Woodward injured his groin in the second inning, started the sixth with a single to center. With the option of pitching around Carlos Delgado available to face Mondesi, the Dodgers instead opted to face Delgado. He doubled to left to score Lopez and put Toronto ahead 2-0.

``I don't think it was a matter of having a day off or anything like that,'' Dodgers leadoff hitter Dave Roberts said. ``We came to the park ready to go, but just the way Halladay was throwing, he was in control the whole game. His sinker was pretty impressive. It was hard for us to do anything.''

DODGERS vs. TORONTO

Time: 7:10 p.m., Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Dodgers LH Kazuhisa Ishii (10-2, 3.61 ERA) threw a bullpen session Tuesday even though he will start today against the Blue Jays as he tries to work out his timing problems. Ishii is 2-1 with a 6.46 ERA in three June starts and he lasted just three-plus innings and allowed five earned runs on seven hits in a loss to the Angels. He is tied for third in the league with 50 walks. Toronto rookie RH Justin Miller (4-3, 5.81), a Torrance High product, is 3-3 with a 5.40 ERA in nine starts.

- Brian Dohn

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis, right, throws to first base to complete a double play in the sixth inning as Toronto's Eric Hinske slides past second.

(2) Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay (8-3) threw his second complete game of the season, allowing four hits by the Dodgers.

Krista Niles/Associated Press

Box:

DODGERS vs. TORONTO (see text)