DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DODGERS' PEREZ READY TO PITCH.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

CINCINNATI - Odalis Perez got away from pitching for 10 days. He spent four days at his home in the Dominican Republic, where he saw his newborn son, Odalis Jr., for the first time.

But the time away was given not for that but to allow Perez, who is 1-4 with a 7.31 ERA in his last five starts, time to refresh his mind for the final two months of the season. Manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn concurred that Perez seemed mentally fatigued. Lapses in concentration were evident.

So there is little question Tracy is a bit curious to see how his All-Star left-hander reacts to the rest his mind and body received. And by the time your Danishes and muffins are gone, Tracy should know, since Perez starts today's series finale (9:30 a.m. PDT) against the Reds.

``I'd like to see him be very consistent and focused,'' Tracy said. ``I think if he does that, we're going to see the Odalis Perez we saw much of April, May and June. I think if there's anything that left Odalis, it's his concentration and focus maybe have slipped a little bit.

``His stuff is still very, very good. He would be a big boost to us in this final two months of the season if he returns to that form.''

Perez, who threw one bullpen session in the Dominican Republic and one upon rejoining the club Tuesday, hasn't started since he allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings July 22 in San Diego.

Perez has already pitched a career-high 144 1/3 innings and made a career-best 21 starts, but he said that isn't a concern.

``I feel fine,'' Perez said. ``I went to the Dominican and didn't think baseball for three or four days. My mind is fresh; now I know I have to take care of business.''

--Planning Brown's return: Right-hander Kevin Brown will make his first rehab start Saturday in Las Vegas, but the Dodgers are kicking aroundpossibilities about his second rehab start and his activation from the disabled list.

Among the more popular ideas right now is to have Brown make his second rehab start Aug. 9 in Edmonton, since Las Vegas has a noon local start the day before in Omaha. However, the Dodgers also are considering whether they want Brown to pitch on one of their affiliates' mounds, which they can control, or another mound. Double-A Jacksonville (Fla.) is home Aug. 9 and Class A Vero Beach (Fla.) is home Aug. 8.

Either day would allow Brown to rejoin the team in Montreal, but the club is skeptical about letting him pitch on Olympic Stadium's hard turf given he would be two months removed from back surgery. As of now, he could be on schedule to pitch during the ensuing weekend series against the Mets in Shea Stadium.

--Odds and ends: With today's early start, Tracy said Tyler Houston will start at first, Alex Cora will play in the middle of the infield and Chad Kreuter will catch. He added that left fielder Brian Jordan, who has a sore right knee, will get at least one day off the hard turf in Philadelphia this weekend. ... Dodgers infielder Jeff Reboulet (back strain) is taking ground balls and batting, but the club doesn't anticipate activating him soon. Reboulet will go on a rehab assignment at some point this month, but, barring an injury to another player, it's unlikely he will be activated before rosters expand Sept. 1. ... The Dodgers will play their last regularly scheduled game at Cinergy Field today. The ballpark, which opened in 1970, will be demolished after the season. And the Dodgers, who were 123-117 here, are the only National League opponent with a winning record at Cinergy.

DODGERS vs. CINCINNATI

Time:9:35 a.m., Cinergy Field.

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

Matchup: LH Odalis Perez (10-7, 3.30 ERA) returns to the rotation after having nine days off and the Dodgers hope it helps his focus. After an All-Star first half, Perez suffered from mental fatigue. He went 1-4 with a 7.31 ERA in his last five starts. He last pitched July 22, allowing four runs on eight hits in five innings. Reds RH Elmer Dessens (9-5, 2.68) opposes him. Dessens is 2-1 with a 1.75 ERA since the All-Star break. He allowed two runs in seven innings but wasn't involved in the decision May 2 at Dodger Stadium. INF Tyler Houston is 5 for 16 (.313) against him and 3B Adrian Beltre is 2 for 6 (.333).

- Brian Dohn

CAPTION(S):

box

Box:

DODGERS vs. CINCINNATI (see text)