DODGERS FEELING COMFY GREEN, ASHBY (2-0) SPARK VICTORY DODGERS 5, ARIZONA 4.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

PHOENIX - There is comfort for Shawn Green because it's his second year in the National League. There is comfort from the team because the fourth starter can take a four-run lead and not blow it. There is comfort the bullpen will protect leads late.

Those comforts translate into confidence, and right now the Dodgers have it.

Right-hander Andy Ashby was the benefactor of two Green homers and four Green RBI, and despite some anxious moments provided by closer Jeff Shaw, the Dodgers survived and beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 in the decisive game of the three-game series Thursday at Bank One Ballpark.

Indeed, the Dodgers managed to win despite all four of the pitchers they used not having what they classified as mediocre stuff. The patchwork included five innings of one-run ball from Ashby, two innings from Matt Herges and an inning apiece from Terry Adams and Shaw.

``Finally, because I really hadn't thrown too good against this team,'' said Ashby, who was 0-4 with a 7.43 ERA at BOB. ``We made pitches when we had to. I didn't have too good of stuff tonight, but we made some pitches when we had to. Defense played great and they came out and scored runs early.''

The Diamondbacks had 11 hits but left eight runners on base and had another two thrown out trying to steal. But in crucial situations, the Dodger pitchers made the big pitch, particularly the last one of the game.

Shaw, who hasn't blown a save since before last season's All-Star break, allowed a two-out, two-run pinch-hit homer to Greg Colbrunn to pull the Diamondbacks within 5-4. Luis Gonzalez already hit his league-leading seventh homer off Ashby, but he struck out as Shaw notched his third save.

``I didn't have my good control and I could have easily given up runs,'' said Adams, the only Dodgers reliever to allow a run. ``I made pitches when I had to, and that's what counts. That's what we all did.''

Ashby (2-0) allowed one run on seven hits in five difficult innings. The Diamondbacks had at least two runners on three times, but the only run Ashby allowed came on Gonzalez's homer in the third inning.

A model of consistency for pitching 200 innings the past four seasons, the constant pressure took its toll this night. Ashby threw 77 pitches through five innings, but with runners on base throughout, manager Jim Tracy opted for the reliable bullpen.

Yet the outing is surely welcomed given the well-publicized shortcomings of last year's starting rotation. The fourth and fifth spots combined to go 11-26 with a 6.28 ERA. This year, those two spots are 3-0 with a 2.79 ERA in three starts.

``I had like 80 pitches, and that's not really the way I pitch,'' Ashby said. ``It's early and we want to win. (Tracy) made the right decision. ... It feels good to go out and pitch and give them a chance to win, especially here.''

Green gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the second inning when he led off with a homer to center field against Arizona starter Armando Reynoso (0-2). He made it 4-0 an inning later when he homered with Mark Grudzielanek and Gary Sheffield on base. It's the second time this season and 13th time in his career Green has hit two homers in a game. All six of his RBI have come via the home run.

``This year my swing is a lot shorter,'' Green said. ``It's the swing that I had before last year, and now I'm just trying to maintain it. I worked hard over the winter and (batting coach) Jack (Clark) has really helped me stay focused on staying on top of the ball.''

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(color) Shawn Green is congratulated by teammate Gary Sheffield after hitting his second home run in Thursday night's game against Arizona.

Matt York/Associated Press