DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DODGERS RESERVES ARE PRODUCING.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

There's one bench in Los Angeles that's been quite effective recently. And no, it's not that of the two-time defending NBA-champion Lakers.

Dodgers reserves Dave Hansen, Alex Cora and Co. have managed key hits at critical times recently. Sunday was no different.

Hansen, playing third base for the slumping Adrian Beltre, had a run-scoring single to right field in the third inning to tie the game against Arizona 2-2. Mark Grudzielanek followed with a single to right to score Brian Jordan for the game-winner as the Dodgers won 6-3.

``It was really exciting to be out there,'' Hansen said. ``That is part of our job. Fortunately, I found some grass instead of a glove. I'm just trying to do my job. As a role player, you just try to do your best. That's all a manager asks you to do. You don't try to go outside your game.''

Hansen is 3 for 5 on this homestand. But he's not the only one producing. Cora batted .429 on this homestand and has a five-game hitting streak. Marquis Grissom, who plays center field against left-handers, is batting .290 with seven home runs.

``It says a lot about the guys that are, quote unquote, reserves,'' Eric Karros said. ``You can't say enough about Dave Hansen and what he's been doing throughout his career.''

He received an opportunity because Beltre was benched, although that's not how Tracy would characterize the situation. Beltre was demoted to eighth in Saturday's lineup and wasn't in the starting lineup Sunday.

Beltre entered Sunday's game in the seventh because of his defensive prowess and a one-run Dodgers lead. Beltre is 4 for 31 (.129) over the past nine games with one home run and three RBI. He was 2 for 16 on the homestand and is hitless in his past 10 at-bats.

Dodgers manager Jim Tracy doesn't like to use the term ``benched'' but that's what it was.

``When it's a day to clear out the sinuses, I don't look at it that way,'' Tracy said. ``Beltre needs a day off. When you care about your players, you can read their body language and what it's telling you, and it was time to give him a day away from the action.

``Adrian Beltre has been very good offensively in Colorado. This way, he can go in there with as positive an attitude and frame of mind as he can. He's struggled here as of late. I think it's to the point where it's become necessary for him.''

Tracy said Beltre will be back in the lineup for today's game at Colorado, which begins a nine-game road trip.

Tracy switched his lineup Saturday to protect Shawn Green. Even though the Dodgers mustered just two hits off Brian Anderson in a 2-0 victory, Tracy won't hesitate to use the lineup again.

``Do I still like it? Yes. Every once in a while, you have to give credit to the other side,'' Tracy said. ``Will I use it again? Yes.''

--Brown off: Kevin Brown, who's on the disabled list with inflammation - which still hasn't subsided - in the back of his right elbow, wasn't at Sunday's game. Tracy said Brown also had stiffness in his back and he didn't want Brown to have to sit in the car and drive to the stadium and back home. Brown will not travel with the team to Colorado.

--Odds and ends: Reliever Terry Mulholland, on the disabled list, will have his workload extended and likely will be activated Wednesday. He threw a bullpen session Sunday and will throw a simulated game Tuesday. He'll also travel with the team to Colorado.

DODGERS vs. COLORADO

Time: 6:05 p.m., Coors Field.

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

Matchup: LH Odalis Perez (5-3, 2.52 ERA) returns to Coors Field, where he earned his first victory as a Dodger. In his last start, Perez allowed 10 hits but just two runs to earn the victory as the Dodgers beat Milwaukee 4-3. Perez has 50 strikeouts and has issued just 12 walks in 78 2/3 innings. RH Denny Stark (3-1, 3.47), making his fifth start, has walked more batters (14) than he's struck out (12). Stark was wild in his last start as he walked seven and allowed eight runs in an 11-3 loss to San Diego on Wednesday. Stark was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs to take the place of the injured Shawn Chacon.

- Jill Painter

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DODGERS vs. COLORADO (see text)