DODGERS 1, ARIZONA 0.

Byline: Staff Writer

If only the Dodgers had fourth and fifth starter this season, then maybe what Kevin Brown, Chan Ho Park and Darren Dreifort did to the Arizona Diamondbacks would have more meaning than just show.

If only the Dodgers had a fourth and fifth starter, maybe Dodger Stadium would have been sold out rather than hosting an announced crowd of 31,631.

If, if, if. . . That's what becomes when a season full of expectations turns into disappointment and distress.

Dreifort followed the lead of the first two starters by throwing 7 2/3 shutout innings of his own and Eric Karors led of the bottom of the ninth with a homer as the Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks 1-0 Wednesday. In sweeping the three-game series from Arizona, the Dodgers allowed one run.

Karros' homer was his first in 29 games, his longest drought since 1994. It was his 31st of the season and came off Arizona reliever Byung-Hyun Kim. It also was the 242nd of his career, tying him with Roy Campanella for third on the Dodgers' (Brooklyn and L.A.) career list.

The Dodgers' sixth straight win, matching a season high, vaulted them into second place in the National League West for the first time since June 8. The Dodgers (81-72) also tied a season high by going nine games over .500.

However, it would still take a miracle, if not more, to get the Dodgers into the playoff picture. With nine games left they trail the Mets by 5 1/2 games in the wildcard.In the three games against the Diamondbacks, Brown, Park and Dreifort didn't allow a run in 22 2/3 innings. That trio is 39-24 while the fourthand fifth starters are 10-25, and that includes three wins in the last nine days.

Matt Herges pitched a scoreless ninth inning to improve to 11-3, including 11-0 in relief.

With Brown and Park already mastering the Diamondbacks, Dreifort took his turn by matching Arizona lefty Randy Johnson, who allowed five hits and struck out eight in seven shutout innings. Dreifort allowed five runs, walked two and struck out eight.

Scoring chances were few for both sides, but the Dodgers had an early chance to get to Johnson when Mark Grudzielanek, playing shortstop for the first time this season, tripled into the left field corner with one out. But Shawn Green, 3 for 12 lifetime against Johnson coming in, struck out. Karros also struck out to end the inning.

The Dodgers also had first and second and none out in the fourth, but Karros struck out and Grudzielanek was thrown out trying to steal third. Bruce Aven eventually grounded out to end the inning.

Dreifort, making his career-high 30th start, breezed through most of the way, retiring 14 straight Diamondbacks at one point. But Kelly Stinnett ended that string with an infield single with one out in the eighth inning.