DODGERS NOTEBOOK: A BUSY SHUEY ADJUSTING TO NL.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Write

Paul Shuey couldn't find much work in Cleveland's bullpen. In Los Angeles, he's getting more work than he's used to.

The stumbling Indians didn't provide much of an opportunity for Shuey, one of the premier setup men. Since he was dealt to the Dodgers on July 28, he has pitched in six of his first seven days.

He's been given so much work that Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said he'd do everything he could to stay away from using him Tuesday.

Shuey is more concerned about adjusting to the National League.

``It's definitely different,'' Shuey said. ``It's definitely a change but something I've been looking forward to. The games are quicker. I'm really amazed at how different the leagues are.''

Shuey spent 11 seasons with the Indians and minor-league teams connected to the American League. He was having one of his best seasons this year, with a 3-0 record and 2.94 ERA in 39 games. With the Dodgers, he's 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in six appearances.

``Outs haven't been coming as easy as I would like,'' Shuey said. ``I'm battling, trying to establish myself in this league. I think I've had to make changes but not that big, now that I'm in this league.''

Tracy said the plan isn't to pitch him often on consecutive days.

``I want him in his element when he's in there,'' Tracy said. ``We didn't ask for that situation (when Eric Gagne was ejected). We were forced to do that.''

Reliever Paul Quantrill is getting a lot of work in, too. Before Tuesday, Quantrill pitched five consecutive days for the first time in his career and eight of the past nine.

``It doesn't bother me,'' reliever Paul Quantrill said. ``I actually like it. I thrive on that. The last road trip it was a little difficult because of the heat, but that made it difficult for everybody.

``We've been used quite a bit, but two weeks ago, you would've seen guys not getting enough work and throwing on the side to stay sharp.''

--Brown close: Kevin Brown is anticipating his comeback from back surgery and elbow injuries. It's much sooner than anyone anticipated, but it could have been sooner.

``I would've pushed it more if it was just me,'' Brown said. ``But it was a combination of listening to the doctors and my rehabilitation therapist and the people in charge of the team. But that's just my nature, I'm always trying to push.

``I had to work hard to convince them to push the envelope. Coming out of that (back) surgery, I'd probably still be doing stabilization stuff and not throwing as much, if any.''

Brown will throw 80-90 pitches with Triple-A Las Vegas in Edmonton on Friday. He said he would do side work today.

--Mourning Hearn: Dodgers players and fans mourned Monday's death of legendary Lakers play-by-play announcer Chick Hearn with a moment of silence prior to the game and flags were flown at half-staff.

First baseman Eric Karros said he remembered watching Hearn on ``Bowling for Dollars'' when he was a kid in San Diego.

``Whenever you think of the Lakers, you think of Shaq and Kobe and Chick Hearn,'' Karros said. ``He's been there a lot longer than those guys. Obviously, he meant a lot to the Southern California community.''

--Odds and ends: Dave Hansen was honored prior to the game for setting the franchise's pinch-hit record with 107. Teammates gave him a custom guitar, made from one of his bats. ... Pitcher Darren Dreifort will play light catch at the end of the week. ... Infielder Jeff Reboulet (strained lower back) will start his rehabilitation stint at Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

DODGERS vs. PITTSBURGH

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

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

Matchup: Dodgers RH Andy Ashby (7-9, 3.75) will try to earn his first victory since June 23 and assure his spot in the rotation for when Kevin Brown returns. He pitched seven scoreless innings in his last start. Pittsburgh RH Brian Meadows (0-1, 3.00 ERA) will make his second major-league start.

- Jill Painter

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DODGERS vs. PITTSBURGH (see text)