DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DABBLING DAVEY IS DISAPPOINTED.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Dave Hansen started at third and Todd Hollandsworth was in center. Short of picking names from a hat, Dodgers manager Davey Johnson continues to dabble in an effort to find offensive consistency, using his 50th different lineup.

``There's no magic formula,'' recently acquired second baseman Craig Counsell said. ``Everyone's looking for a magic formula. Guys have to get on base and guys have to get them in. The first couple guys have to get on for the big guys like (Gary) Sheffield and (Raul) Mondesi and they have to drive them in.''

The Dodgers have done neither well, which is why they're 13th in the National League with 316 runs scored.

In losing eight of their past 11 games, the Dodgers have scored more than three runs three times and they're averaging 3.4 runs per game.

Thursday's game against San Diego ended a nine-game homestand in which the Dodgers performed abysmally on offense. Heading into the game, the only regular to hit better than .280 on the homestand was Sheffield, who was at .412.

Eric Karros was tops at .280, followed by Adrian Beltre (.250), Devon White (.217), Jose Vizcaino (.208), Eric Young (.158), Angel Pena (.120) and Raul Mondesi (.111). ``I wish I knew (what was wrong),'' Johnson said. ``I don't figure we can be any worse. They have to get better.''

Johnson's latest attempt to find the nonexistent offense was batting Hansen, who started for Beltre, second and sitting White to get Hollandsworth's left-handed bat in the lineup. It came a day after Young and Mondesi were given days off.

``Beltre's kind of overswinging a little bit, so this should kind of freshen him up,'' Johnson said. ``Devo, the same thing. I haven't had Hollandsworth in there, and I want to get him in there and see if I can get him locked in like he was in the spring.''

Gwynn back on DL: San Diego right fielder Tony Gwynn admits the worst part of chasing his 3,000th hit is answering the same questions over and over. For another two weeks, though, he'll do just that.

For the second time in a month, a strained left calf sent Gwynn to the 15-day disabled list. The Padres announced the move (retroactive to Sunday) before Thursday's game against the Dodgers. Gwynn, who is 18 hits shy of 3,000, is eligible to come off the disabled list July 5.

``I've thought about this for so long and now I'm going to have to sit and answer two more weeks of questions,'' said Gwynn, a Long Beach Poly graduate. ``It'd be easy to sit here and be frustrated, but I take the other approach. It could be my Achilles' (tendon) again and I'd be done.''

Gwynn is batting .338 in 45 games. He was originally placed on the disabled list May 22, returned June 12 but was reinjured during a weekend series with Pittsburgh.

Pena's plate problems: Since taking over the top catching duties, Pena has kept runners from stealing bases, but he's also fallen in line with the rest of the Dodgers and can't hit a lick.

Seven runners attempted to steal in the last eight games. Four of them were thrown out. However, he's 3 for 25 in that span and is hitting .190 with four RBI this season.

``After the games I'm coming in and watching the review on the tape,'' Pena said. ``I'm in a slump. Sometimes I see it good. Maybe I'm trying to do too much. I'm trying to hit the ball and I'm opening too quick.''

FYI: Reliever Doug Bochtler accepted his minor-league assignment and reported to Triple-A Albuquerque. . . . Dodgers pitchers have allowed 95 homers. Only Chicago, Colorado and Florida have given up more in the National League.

DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO

Time: 7:35 p.m., at 3Com Park.

TV/Radio: Channel 5; KXTA-AM (1150), KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish).

Matchup: The Dodgers begin a six-game road trip with three games at rival San Francisco. Dodgers right-hander Kevin Brown (8-4, 2.92 ERA) has been fabulous against the Giants. In seven starts he's 6-0 with a 0.58 ERA. And at 3Com Park, Brown is 4-0 with a 0.25 ERA. Included in that figure is a no-hitter Brown threw against the Giants as a member of the Florida Marlins. The Giants open the series with lefty Shawn Estes (4-4, 4.91), who could keep the weak-hitting Dodgers frustrated. Estes is 2-0 with a 3.20 ERA in his last four games, during which opponents are hitting .198. Saturday - Dodgers LH Carlos Perez (2-8, 7.38) vs. Giants RH Chris Brock (5-6, 5.36); Sunday - Dodgers RH Chan Ho Park (4-5, 5.14) vs. Giants RH Mark Gardner (1-6, 7.28).

- Brian Dohn

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO (see text)