DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BEIRNE EAGER FOR START AT HOME.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

Kevin Beirne started the season with the dream of pitching at Dodger Stadium, in any game, in any scenario, but he never could have imagined this.

With the announcement that Kevin Brown's season is finished because of a bad back, Beirne will get the first shot at replacing Brown in the rotation. That will come Wednesday against San Francisco, in a game with tremendous playoff implications.

Beirne, 28 and with less than two months of major-league experience, now has a chance to play a huge role in the Dodgers' late playoff run. Beirne made his first start Friday, when Andy Ashby had a blister, and allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings at Colorado.

``I'm going to try to do the same thing I did the other night,'' Beirne said. ``I want to keep the team in the game for as long as I can go, and then turn it over to one of the best bullpens in baseball.

``I wasn't really even thinking about (starting). If I went back to the bullpen, that was fine, and if I started again, great. It's a great honor, and it feels great to do it, especially against a great team like San Francisco.''

Beirne has made 10 appearances (19 1/3 innings) since being called up Aug. 1. He's 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA, but manager Jim Tracy would not commit to Beirne beyond Wednesday's game.

--No excuses: The Dodgers insisted that the loss of Brown would not distract them in the final two weeks of the regular season, and with good reason. The Dodgers are in the playoff race even though Brown made just 10 starts this season, so his departure is not significant.

``A lot of guys here have been throwing the ball well, so we have to rely on those guys,'' outfielder Shawn Green said. ``He kept trying to battle and come back, and that might be part of the reason he's hurting. He always wants the ball and wants to get back out there.''

--Doing better: Brian Jordan, who reported pain in his neck and shoulders after Sunday's game, received acupuncture treatment Monday and returned to the starting lineup. Jordan also is suffering from soreness in his back and knee.

DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO

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

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

Matchup: In a battle of two surprisingly effective starters, Dodgers LH Omar Daal (11-8, 3.80 ERA) will face San Francisco LH Kirk Rueter (12-8, 3.23) in the second of this crucial four-game series. Daal is coming off a poor start against Colorado on Wednesday but is 2-0 with five earned runs allowed in 17 1/3 innings against the Giants this season. Rueter has rebounded from an eight-start winless streak and is 5-2 in his past 10 starts. He is 0-2 in three starts against the Dodgers this season.

- Rich Hammond

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DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO (see text)