DODGERS LINEUP RESTORED : DODGERS 3 CHICAGO 2.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

When Saturday night's game began with Eric Karros and Roger Cedeno both in the lineup, Dodgers executive vice president Fred Claire exuded the confidence of a general who now had his offense ready to go to war.

Although Chicago Cubs pitcher Jeremi Gonzalez's counterplan was successful for the most part, the Dodgers conjured up enough offense to reach the .500-mark (11-11) for the first time since April 18 and please Claire and new boss Rupert Murdoch, who sat among the fans.

A two-run homer by Raul Mondesi and a wild run generated by pinch-hitter Wilton Guerrero gave the Dodgers a 3-2 comeback triumph over the Cubs in front of a sellout crowd of 53,755 at Dodger Stadium.

``It feels good because this is the lineup we expected to see,'' Claire said. ``When you go through the winter, make your decisions and think about the team on a daily basis, this is the lineup we projected to be here on opening day. Unfortunately, it hasn't been the lineup we had out there.

``There isn't anyone that is happy with where we are today. If you locate somebody (who is happy), let me know because I would like very much to talk to them. I expect us to improve.''

One of the Dodgers who needed improvement was Mondesi. The Dominican slugger has a career .273 average in April, but was just .208 with two home runs coming into the game.

For the first four innings, Mondesi wasn't the only Dodger struggling offensively. Gonzalez had a no-hitter in tact. But Gonzalez's hopes went for naught in the fifth when Todd Zeile opened with a single. Mondesi followed by tagging a 2-0 pitch into the center field seats that tied the game at 2-2.

``I felt good because I did something to help the team,'' Mondesi said. ``I don't feel too good right now (at the plate), but I try hard every day.''

What was a great outing for Gonzalez (1-3) resulted into a head scratcher in the sixth.

Guerrero hit for Dodgers starting pitcher Darren Dreifort. Guerrero, who entered the game with two hits in seven at-bats as a pinch-hitter, didn't disappoint as he opened with a double - the Dodgers' third, and last hit of the game.

Eric Young followed with a bunt to the pitcher. After finding no play at third to nab Guerrero, Gonzalez hurled a wild throw to first that went off Mark Grace's glove, that allowed Guerrero to scored the eventual game-winning run.

``Jeremi is so quick and athletic on the mound,'' said Cubs manager Jim Riggleman, whose club has dropped four straight games. ``He thought he could get the runner at third.''

In seven innings, Gonzalez struck out a career-high 10 and allowed just three runs (two earned), three hits and walked one.

After three innings of shutout baseball, Dreifort allowed two runs in the fourth. The Cubs took a 2-0 lead on an RBI double from Sammy Sosa and an RBI single from Grace. Those runs, however, would be the only ones Dreifort would allow in just his second start this season. He struck out six and gave up two runs on four hits in five innings.

The bullpen also contributed with four shutout innings to clinch the win, including one from Mark Guthrie (1-0), who has not allowed a run 9.1 innings this season. Scott Radinsky pitched 1-2/3 innings for his his fourth save.

The bullpen also extended its scoreless streak to 24-2/3 innings, a stretch over the last seven games.

Karros, batting in the No. 6 spot behind Mondesi, was 0 for 3 with a strikeout in his first game of the season since coming off the 15-day disabled list after knee surgery. Cedeno also went 0-for-3 in his second game back.

On this night, they may have snuck out a win. But with everyone back in place, the Dodgers feel the future can only be brighter than the offensive popless recent past.

``We have been inconsistent, everyone can admit that,'' said Karros. ``But the season isn't won or lost in the first 20 games.''

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Photo

Photo: Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros, batting sixth in the lineup, went 0 for 3 in his first game this season coming off injury.

Myung J. Chun/Daily News