DODGERS' HITS MIGHT NOT KEEP COMING TEAM HAS LITTLE ROOM TO IMPROVE ITS SAGGING OFFENSE.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

The Dodgers equaled their season high with 10 runs against Montreal on Sunday. Two days earlier, they scored eight times. That's typical Dodgers output for a week. Even team brass acknowledges this lineup can't score six, seven runs consistently.

It also is understood that the Dodgers - near the bottom of the 16-team National League in nearly every significant offensive category - better get accustomed to their poor hitting because it would be almost impossible to make a significant change.

Hefty, multiple-year contracts all but handcuff the deal-making hands of general manager Dan Evans. Short of moving a banged-up and oft-injured Brian Jordan to center field or trading economical and talented third baseman Adrian Beltre, there is no room for another bat.

And moving Jordan or trading Beltre are options the team won't consider, even if the temptation to add a bat before the July 31 trade deadline grows exponentially.

``We know with our position players we have very limited, if any, flexibility,'' Evans said. ``We didn't have one position player that was a free agent last offseason. There isn't much flexibility, but that's OK. We know that.''

Therefore, the Dodgers must figure out a way to make a batting-challenged lineup score more runs to take the burden off a pitching staff that often yields three runs and loses.

The Dodgers are 13th in the league in runs scored (161), 15th in walks (132), stolen bases (18) and home runs (28), 10th in on-base percentage (.320) and eighth in average (.256). Yet, they are sixth in hits (384) and tied for third in doubles (86).

The most glaring figures are the league-leading 54 double plays into which the Dodgers have grounded, which make for a league-leading eight shutouts.

``We're not getting the big hits with two outs. We're not getting guys over all the time,'' Dodgers outfielder Marquis Grissom said. ``When we're going good, we're getting guys over all the time. We ain't going to be a team that has five guys go out there and hit 40 homers. That ain't our type of ball. That's why we have to do the fundamental things, but we can't play station-to-station ball, either.

``We have to go out and get guys over and get them in and do those little things, just like the so-called small-market teams have to do to win.''

The latest theory on why the Dodgers - who stand at a remarkable 25-19 - have scored three runs or fewer 24 times in 44 games is the lack of breakthrough hits that extend innings and create rallies. The Dodgers pitchers have lost nine times having allowed three runs or fewer.

The Dodgers are fifth in the league at .260 when they have runners in scoring position and fifth at .237 with runners in scoring position and two outs.

``This lineup, in my mind, is going to be perfectly capable,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``What we haven't seen as a group is we haven't seen any two or three of them clicking at the same time. We've hit into (54) double plays, but we've had guys on to afford ourselves to hit into them. We're getting the hits, but where are the add-on hits?

``Is that going to remain a wishful thought for a significant period of time more, or are they going to start happening? This is the idea of the team concept you've heard me preach. If those hits start coming, how many runs do you need with this staff that you see march out there day to day?''

The middle of what was thought to be a deeper lineup is the biggest disappointment.

Most of those associated with the organization are quick to point out Gary Sheffield's departure is not a factor in the club's offensive woes. Others have said that slumping right fielder Shawn Green misses the protection Sheffield provided behind him.

Grissom said the loss of Sheffield shouldn't be underrated.

``I don't think we had problems scoring runs last year,'' Grissom said. ``Will it be tough for us to score runs this year? The bats are going to wake up. We're just not doing the things we're capable of doing right now, as a whole. Everybody.''

Green ended an 0-for-19 stretch with an eighth-inning double Sunday, the only ball he hit out of the infield during a seven-game homestand. He is batting .231 with three homers and 21 RBI and hasn't driven in a run since May 8.

Brian Jordan played in 10 innings on the homestand, missing the past six games. Still, he leads the club with six homers.

``I don't think we have to score as many runs as we did last year because I think out pitching is better,'' Evans said. ``We knew this offense wasn't going to be prolific, but we think it will be better than what they have shown.''

The optimists say Green, who belted a club-record 49 homers and drove in 125 runs last season, and catcher Paul Lo Duca, who drove in 90 runs and hit 25 homers, haven't found their swings and could turn things around when the get going. Some also believe that Eric Karros would improve upon his 15-homer, 63-RBI output of 2001 and a healthy Beltre could regain his 20-homer form of 2000.

For various reasons, Tracy said the pieces of the Dodgers lineup, which has been used in 28 variations, has yet to show its depth.

``I think it's deeper than what people are giving it credit for,'' Tracy said. ``It can be deep, but it doesn't have to be powerful. I don't want guys trying to hit home runs. I think that gets them in trouble. I want them to hit through the ball, and if it goes out of the ballpark, fine. If it doesn't, we know we've driven the ball hard toward the gap and if guys are on base, we will score runs.''

--Ishii pushed back: Dodgers rookie left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii, scheduled to start today against Milwaukee, will have to wait at least until Thursday because of a sore right-hip flexor. Though the Dodgers expect Ishii to start the series finale against the Brewers, he might have to skip his turn because of Monday's day off.

Ishii, who is 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA, is scheduled to test the hip today by playing catch. The Dodgers won't need a fifth starter again until Saturday in Arizona. Kevin Brown, who has a 1.80 ERA in his past three starts, will take Ishii's spot in the rotation.

DODGERS vs. MILWAUKEE

Time: 5:05 p.m., Miller Park.

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

Matchup: The Dodgers are one of the best road teams at 13-8 and so they should be comfortable beginning a six-game trip with three against the Brewers. Dodgers RH Kevin Brown (2-3, 3.13) gets the start after Kazuhisa Ishii was moved back two days because of a sore hip flexor. Brewers RH Nelson Figueroa (1-2, 4.89) began the season in relief but has started five in a row. He has a 5.58 ERA as a starter and allowed five earned runs in five innings to Florida in his last outing. Wednesday - Dodgers RH Hideo Nomo (3-5, 4.00) vs. Brewers RH Ben Sheets (3-3, 4.01); Thursday - Dodgers LH Ishii (6-1, 2.70 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Glendon Rusch (3-3, 3.73).

- Brian Dohn

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Brian Jordan, kneeling, is leading the Dodgers' low-calorie offense with six home runs despite missing games due to injury.

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

(2) Shawn Green hit 49 homers and had 125 RBI last season but is hitting .231 this year. He hasn't driven in a run since May 8.

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Box:

(1) OFFENSIVE BLUES

(2) DODGERS vs. MILWAUKEE (see text)