DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DREIFORT STARTS OVER TODAY DODGERS STARTER BACK AFTER TWO SURGERIES AND TWO-YEAR HIATUS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO - Dodgers right-hander Darren Dreifort walked off the Qualcomm Stadium mound more than 21 months ago with his arm in extreme pain and his career in serious doubt.

After a second surgery to reconstruct Dreifort's elbow and a subsequent knee operation, Dreifort returns to the same pitcher's mound. He makes his first start since June 29, 2001, tonight against the San Diego Padres.

``This is something that we've all been anticipating because we knew how much it killed him not to be able to help us last year when we were going through the playoff race,'' Dodgers center fielder Dave Roberts said. ``It's kind of a culmination of all that hard work.

``It's going to be emotional for me, and I know it's going to be emotional for a lot of guys in this clubhouse.''

Dreifort admitted Qualcomm Stadium might be ``hexed'' for him but not for the most obvious reason. Instead, Dreifort pointed to his 0-3 mark and 6.08 ERA in seven games here.

Otherwise, the always-stoic Dreifort downplayed the significance of returning to Qualcomm.

``If you look at my track record there, it's like, I don't know, there's a hex on me there or something,'' said Dreifort, 30, who is 0-7 with a 5.40 ERA in his career against the Padres. ``I don't care where it is. Whatever. I like pitching there. It's a great mound. It's a great backdrop. I love pitching in San Diego.''

Dreifort didn't seem to be particularly anxious or excited as he prepares for his second comeback - he missed all of 1995 after elbow-reconstruction surgery - but he wants to repay teammates for their unwavering support the past 21 months.

Players typically rehab from injuries in anonymity, but Dreifort was always around last season. Rather than have therapy close to his home in Wichita, Kan., Dreifort remained in Los Angeles and attended all home games.

Teammates constantly rave about Dreifort's work ethic. That's one reason players showed up in large groups to watch Dreifort throw batting practice and simulated games last summer.

``That was awesome,'' said Dreifort, whose wife, Ann, and 19-month-old son Jacob will be at the game. ``Even though I wasn't with them, they still made me feel like part of the team. Really, those type of things kept me going. It wasn't easy sitting there watching all the time, but when you have that support from guys knowing you're not even going to contribute that year, it's awesome.

``Hopefully, I show my appreciation by helping them win a bunch of games this year.''

Though Dreifort pitched 18 1/3 innings this spring - he went 1-2 with a 1.96 ERA - and acclimated himself to game conditions, he acknowledged it could take him some time to find his rhythm.

``He's going to be the most anxious person out there,'' Dodgers catcher Paul Lo Duca said. ``I think we all want it, but I think he wants even more, especially with what he's gone through. He's going to be having butterflies and stuff, but the way he threw the ball this spring, we're all really encouraged and looking forward to see how he throws the ball.''

--Lost runs ticker: Dodgers manager Jim Tracy is keeping a new statistic this season. He calls it ``lost runs.'' And the lower the number, the better he will feel.

A ``lost run'' is when the Dodgers don't score despite having a runner on second with none out or a runner on third with less than two outs. So far, the Dodgers have three lost runs after Alex Cora grounded into a double play to end the eighth with Brian Jordan on third.

--Odds and ends: Lefty Steve Colyer allowed one run on five hits in 2 2/3 innings in his major-league debut. After the game, the Dodgers made the expected move of sending Colyer to Triple-A Las Vegas and purchased the contract of infielder Ron Coomer, who will join the team today. ... Dodgers first baseman Fred McGriff had a miserable afternoon, going 0 for 4 with four strikeouts. ... Dodgers right-hander Andy Ashby made his first relief appearance since June 24, 1993. He replaced Kazuhisa Ishii in the fourth inning and pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

DARREN DREIFORT

Starter returns to mound in San Diego, where he's never won.