DODGERS NOTEBOOK: ALVAREZ ALLOWS 7 RUNS IN LOSS.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - This wasn't how Wilson Alvarez wanted to end his season of revival.

Alvarez, whose career appeared over after a terrible 2002 stint with Tampa Bay, turned into the Dodgers' most reliable pitcher during their failed playoff run. But Alvarez ended the year Sunday by allowing seven runs (five earned) in two innings as the San Francisco Giants beat the Dodgers 12-3 in front of 42,142 at Pacific Bell Park.

The Dodgers finished in a second-place tie with Arizona in the National League West with an 85-77 record, with seven fewer victories than in 2002. After the last out, manager Jim Tracy stood in the dugout and tipped his cap as the Giants congratulated each other on the field.

``We know there is still some room for improvement, and we will keep working on it,'' Tracy said.

Sunday's finale was decided early, as the Giants scored five runs with two outs in the first off Alvarez (6-2), who entered the game having allowed a combined three earned runs in his previous five starts, a span of 35 innings. Alvarez allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out one.

Cesar Izturis went 3 for 5 with an RBI single for the Dodgers. Shawn Green's first-inning groundout drove in a run, as did Alex Cora's second- inning infield single. Giants starter Kevin Correia (3-1) allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings.

--Sticking around? The Dodgers will be busy trying to court free-agent hitters and perhaps trying to fend off teams interested in hiring away pitching coach Jim Colborn, who guided baseball's best pitching staff. Tracy had high praise for Colborn's efforts.

``A-plus,'' Tracy said when asked to grade Colborn's performance. ``For things to be as good as they've been, a lot of things have to happen behind the scenes, and those things surge him to the top of the list of pitching coaches.''

Dodger pitchers led the NL in shutouts, fewest hits allowed, fewest home runs allowed and lowest opponents' batting average, among other categories.

``It's pretty amazing,'' catcher Paul Lo Duca said. ``You can compare them to some of the best pitching staffs in the history of baseball. It's amazing, especially in this era with the way the ball flies and the size of these new ballparks. It's been phenomenal to be able to catch them every day.''

Colborn finished his third season as pitching coach, and the Dodgers' staff improved on an impressive 2002 season in which it finished third in the league in ERA.

``They far exceeded my expectations in terms of consistency,'' Colborn said. ``One of the biggest pluses is that they were able to keep their concentration amid some pretty tough times, when they knew we weren't scoring a lot of runs. But they kept their concentration and continued to give us chances to win close games.

``They competed well the first two years, and a lot of things came together this year, but I don't consider it a fluke by any means.''

--Waiting it out: Given the uncertainty regarding the Dodgers' ownership, Tracy was asked whether he would consider taking another managing job, if offered. Tracy has one year remaining on his contract, but his job could be in jeopardy after an ownership change.

``That's not something I want to speculate on,'' Tracy said. ``My goal remains winning a championship for the Los Angeles Dodgers.''

--Pay day: The Dodgers and Diamondbacks tied for second in the NL West. They also will split one percent of the playoff revenue among all the players.

--Nice ending: Steve Colyer, the Dodgers' rookie left-handed pitcher, struck out Barry Bonds on a full count Sunday, one day after rookie Edwin Jackson did the same.

``Any time you get a chance to strike out a guy of that caliber, it's special,'' Colyer said, ``especially for me to come in as a rookie and strike him out. It's not just that Edwin did it. Barry usually doesn't miss too many fastballs, and to get a couple by him like that is pretty tough.''

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com