DODGERS NOTEBOOK: AS A FILL-IN, CROMER'S A HIT.

Byline: Kevin Acee Daily News Staff Writer

Tripp Cromer's locker is the busiest in the Dodgers' clubhouse lately. Everyone wants to know how the skinny fill-in infielder has filled in so well.

``It's too much,'' said the soft-spoken Cromer, who has obliged every interview request with the same aplomb. ``There's a long way to go in the season. I look at it like I haven't done anything. If we win and I get a couple more hits, I might be back. The first game we lose I might be back out.''

Cromer, called up from Triple-A June 17 mainly to fill in for shortstop Greg Gagne, has gone 11 for 22 with eight RBI starting the past six games in place of injured second baseman Wilton Guerrero. He started his seventh straight game Friday.

Cromer is a solid defensive second baseman, and as he has continued to contribute offensively, Russell is in no hurry to put Guerrero back in the lineup.

Cromer has no doubt Guerrero will resume his job and is just glad he has proven himself a capable back-up.

``Hopefully when Wilton comes back that will help give them confidence to give guys rest,'' he said.

MVPT (Physical Therapist): Eric Karros still will not talk directly about the tendinitis in his left shoulder that hampered him the first two months of the season. His belief is that if you're well enough to play, there should be no excuses.

It is no coincidence, though, that as the pain has subsided, Karros' contribution has increased. Karros still ices his shoulder after games as a precautionary measure.

His turnaround - .342, 33 RBI, 13 home runs in the 30 games leading up to Friday - came after he and hitting coach Reggie Smith spent weeks working on his batting stance, which had digressed into more of a batting crouch. But team physical therapist Pat Screnar deserves as much credit as anyone for helping get Karros in a position to make adjustments.

``The big things is I was finally able to work on my stance,'' Karros said, meaning he was physically able.

Demons: Karros' and Raul Mondesi's double steal Thursday night was the second time this season the pair has pulled off that feat. It was also the second straight game the Dodgers have executed a double steal. Brett Butler and Roger Cedeno did it Sunday. Those are the Dodgers' only three double steals this season.

Karros' theft of third base on Thursday, which allowed him to score on a Todd Zeile fly ball, was his career-high ninth steal this season. Mondesi's steal was his team-leading 16th. Of Karros' nine steals, three have enabled him to score when he otherwise would not have.

``He takes advantage of pitchers,'' Russell said. ``He's not a guy you expect to steal, they're not paying attention. That's the element of surprise.''

DODGERS TODAY

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: FSW 2; KABC-AM (790); KWKW-AM (1330, Spanish).

Matchup: In the third of four games at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers RHP Tom Candiotti (5-2, 2.80) faces Giants RHP Mark Gardner (9-4, 3.73). Candiotti is 2-0 with a 3.91 ERA in four starts in place of Ramon Martinez.

Attendance: 46,869 Friday; (1,859,783) on the season; 1,912,654 through 49 home games last season.

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Photo

PHOTO Giants second baseman Jeff Kent forces Roger Cedeno, but the throw was too late for the double play.

Michael Owen Baker / Daily News