DODGERS NOTEBOOK: ASHBY WANTS TO HELP SAVE CASTAIC LAKE.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Andy Ashby received a phone call from his agent, Adam Katz, before Sunday's game. Ashby made a plea for help, only it had nothing to do with baseball.

A hobby of his is in jeopardy.

When Ashby isn't at Dodger Stadium, he's usually fishing at Castaic Lake. That's where he went after he won his start Saturday. The lake - which Ashby visits frequently - might be shut down soon, and it has Ashby up in arms.

``I don't understand why they want to close her down,'' Ashby said. ``What are they going to do with the fish? I don't understand why they would shut it down.''

A group has been organized to try to help the lake and recreational area continue operations. Ashby has hung a flier in his locker and signed petitions.

Ashby said he was going to put in a call to organizers to see what could be done to help and he asked his agent what Katz could do as well. Los Angeles County has recommended closure of the site or its return to state control. But the state is in a budget crisis and the lake's fate is uncertain either way.

``I understand the way the economy is, but there has to be a way around it,'' Ashby said. ``A lot of people grew up around that lake. A lot of people have built businesses because of that lake. There's an old man, God bless him, who has a bait store up there. What's he going to do?''

--Saving Gagne: Closer Eric Gagne has earned a save in 15 of the Dodgers' 44 victories. He has converted all 29 save opportunities this season and 37 consecutive dating back to last season. Twice, he has earned saves in five of six games. But Gagne is so dominant, he doesn't throw many pitches.

When there's a save situation, fans expect to see Gagne. But Dodgers manager Jim Tracy doesn't feel pressure to use him if he doesn't want to.

``I get to answer that question a lot,'' Tracy said. ``We're aware what we have going on the next three days (games at San Francisco) and that we don't have a day off until Thursday. ... I'm not affected by peer pressure. I'm affected by the effect it will have on that group of people (in the clubhouse). That's all I'm affected by.''

--Behind the plate: Backup catcher David Ross was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas when Todd Hundley went on the disabled list with back problems and eventually had surgery. Ross has proven to be more than adequate as a fill-in.

While Ross is known for his defensive abilities, he's had an impressive start at the plate. He has three home runs already and is batting .290 with six RBI in 17 games.

``I'm just trying to put a good swing on it,'' Ross said. ``When you don't play every day, you're just battling. Sometimes, I don't play for a while and I'll miss a pitch. I'm just trying to put some good at-bats together.''

--Eye of the tiger: Several Dodgers took advantage of Saturday's day game and went to the boxing match between Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko at Staples Center. It was the first fight Dave Roberts has attended.

The fight was stopped after Klitschko suffered a nasty cut over his eye.

``It was disgusting,'' Roberts said. ``It looked like he had two eyes.''

Roberts said he thought Lewis would have won the fight anyway.

--News and notes: Fred McGriff didn't start for the eighth consecutive game because of a strained groin. McGriff hit, took grounders and ran Sunday. He said he was at about 80-90 percent. ... Brian Jordan didn't start Sunday although Tracy said he would have had the day off anyway. Jordan left in the sixth inning Sunday with a strained oblique muscle. When asked if he'd be back today, Jordan said: ``I don't know. I didn't even hit today. I tried to give it another day to heal.'' ... There was a new left-hander throwing in the bullpen before Sunday's game. Actually, it was the Dodgers' second-round draft pick, Chuck Tiffany, a Charter Oak High of West Covina product.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com