DODGERS NOTEBOOK: CORA BIDS FOR HOME AT SHORT.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

LAKELAND, Fla. - Alex Cora began spring training bobbling ground balls, dropping a toss on a sure double play and with one hit in 12 at- bats. He admits his nerves got to him during a terrible first week.

Two weeks later, Cora is showing why the Dodgers moved Mark Grudzielanek to second base, and in the process he is trying to close the competition for the opening-day shortstop position.

Cora made a pair of dazzling defensive plays and had a pair of doubles in the Dodgers' 4-1 win Saturday against the Detroit Tigers.

And, no longer concerned with impressing anyone but himself, Cora is again confident.

``I'm playing the way I'm supposed to play; diving for balls and playing hard,'' Cora said. ``That's all I can do. The first week, that was not me. And everybody knows it. But I can't worry. If the season starts and I'm in there, then I'll be 100 percent sure. Until then, I'll keeping working.''

Cora remains the front-runner, but with a few more performances like the one against the Tigers, he could clinch the spot over the more offensive-minded Kevin Elster.

One of the Dodgers' objectives during the offseason was to make the defense better, particularly through the middle.

With Cora and Grudzielanek, the Dodgers got better at second base and shortstop. Of course, there was some nervousness from Dodgers officials early in the spring, but that's changed.

Cora has been sensational in the field. Against the Tigers, he made a sliding catch along the left-field line in the third inning and a diving stop and throw behind second an inning later. Cora also has five hits in his last 14 at-bats.

``He seems to be more relaxed,'' manager Davey Johnson said. ``He played a helluva game. But we made the switch with Grudzielanek primarily because of him.''

--Terry tears it up: The lone ``major league ready'' player the Dodgers got in the controversial trade that sent Eric Young and Ismael Valdes to Chicago was right-handed setup man Terry Adams, who's thrown six shutout innings in six appearances. His latest was against the Tigers.

``I feel great, like my fastball is back,'' said Adams, who had a 4.02 ERA with the Cubs last season. ``Last year I sprained my elbow in spring training and never got my fastball back. My velocity was 91 or 92 (mph) instead of 96. I feel like that's back. I had no confidence in it, but this spring I do.''

--Odds and ends: Van Nuys native and Ventura College product Brent Cookson suffered a concussion when he crashed into the left-field wall on an inside-the-park homer by Willie Magee. . . . Kevin Brown has two more starts remaining this spring, but he looks ready. Brown threw 74 pitches in five shutout innings against Detroit and has a 1.69 ERA this spring. ``My timing rhythm was a lot better. I'm not disappointed with where I'm at,'' Brown said. More roster cuts are expected today or Monday. With starters going longer, a few pitchers could be sent to minor-league camp.

DODGERS vs. MONTREAL

When/Where: 11:05 a.m., Holman Stadium, Vero Beach, Fla.

TV/Radio: Channel 5; XTRA-AM (1150)

Today's game: Dodgers right-hander Chan Ho Park (0-1, 6.30 ERA) tries to build off his first strong outing of the spring against the Expos. Park has already been told he'll start the second game of the season in Montreal. Right-hander Carl Pavano pitches for Montreal.

Saturday's result: Todd Hundley and Chad Kreuter each homered as the Dodgers beat Detroit 4-1 in Lakeland, Fla. Dodgers righty Kevin Brown pitched five shutout innings. He allowed two hits, walked one and struck out five.

- Brian Dohn

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Box: Dodgers vs. Montreal (see text)