DODGERS NOTEBOOK: CALLS RAISE REPLAY ISSUE.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Football and hockey have it. Basketball does, too.

But baseball remains the lone major American sport without instant replay. And after a four-game series with Arizona, in which there were two blown calls, there are some Dodgers who are now instant-replay proponents.

``Baseball doesn't have a lot of things,'' Dodgers outfielder Brian Jordan said. ``In a big game, you can't make a mistake like that. All the umpire has to do is walk back to the guy behind the screen and get a quick answer.''

Umpire Bill Hohn admittedly blew a call in a tie game in the eighth inning Thursday, and Bill Miller made a gaffe Saturday.

Dodgers catcher Paul Lo Duca doesn't believe baseball needs it.

``Just like anything else, (umpires) are human,'' Lo Duca said. ``They're going to make mistakes. You see it in football, even with instant replay, it's not 100 percent. To me, it makes the game a lot longer.''

And Major League Baseball has made a concerted effort to try to ensure quicker games in recent years.

Dodgers manager Jim Tracy doesn't believe it's necessary. And that it's a hindrance to pitchers.

``It's a very spontaneous game,'' Tracy said. ``We're human. We all make mistakes. I don't know how long a game could be interrupted if you involve instant replay. How long would you leave a pitcher standing there before you would step out on the field and say, `Upon further review ...'?''

But at least one Dodgers pitcher - Giovanni Cararra - wants instant replay. He's not bothered that he could be left standing on the mound for a couple of minutes, waiting for a decision.

``I wish we did,'' Cararra said. ``If we had it, at least it would be the right decision. Those calls cost us two games. If they make us wait five minutes, you will get five or six extra (warm-up) pitches. It's not going to be a problem.''

--The Gagne debate: Tracy doesn't take kindly to speculation that he's overusing All-Star closer Eric Gagne. On Saturday, Gagne was warming up in the bullpen in the eighth inning despite a two-run Dodgers deficit. He pitched Thursday with a one-run deficit.

Gagne has pitched in 44 games and thrown 47 1/3 innings.

``We've not overused Eric Gagne,'' Tracy said. ``You've gotta have the guy ready in case you need the man. It bothers me that people sit there and speculate. ...

``When you're in a pennant race, you use your closer. You do come into situations where a big out can change the complexion of the series, which we've done that, but not to abuse. Maybe once or twice.''

--What have you done lately? That's how Tracy fills out his lineup card when choosing his cleanup hitter. With All-Star Shawn Green batting third, Eric Karros and Brian Jordan have taken turns batting fourth.

``The hottest hand hits behind Shawn Green,'' Tracy said. ``That's the way we're going about it. We're far enough along in this season and we have a chance to play in October. You put egos aside and you have to understand the hottest hand goes in behind Shawn Green.''

--Odds and ends: Darren Dreifort will pitch a simulated game today in which he'll throw about 30 pitches. He'll pitch, rest and then throw again in the simulation. ... Actor James Van Der Beek, who plays the role of Dawson in the TV series ``Dawson's Creek,'' played Dodger for the day. He donned a uniform and hung out at batting practice and in the clubhouse

DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS

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

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

Matchup: LH Omar Daal (7-4, 4.15 ERA) lasted just 3 2/3 innings in his last start when the Dodgers lost 12-6 at St. Louis. Daal had won his previous three starts. Cardinals RH Travis Smith (2-0, 5.92) was promoted to the starting rotation after the sudden death of Darryl Kile. Smith has allowed 41 hits and 26 runs in 38 innings.

- Jill Painter

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DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS (see text)