DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DREIFORT TO GET A REST.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Darren Dreifort proved himself as a starter with a torrid stretch the last seven weeks, which is why Dodgers manager Davey Johnson erred on the side of caution and said the right-hander's season is likely over.

While Johnson wouldn't rule out the possibility of Dreifort's pitching an inning or two as a reliever, he said Dreifort wouldn't start again this season because of tightness in his pitching shoulder. Instead, lefty Jeff Williams will start Sunday against San Diego.

The decision came after Dreifort had trouble loosening his ailing shoulder during an eight-minute bullpen session Thursday afternoon, and with the Dodgers hopelessly playing out the string, it made no sense to push him.

Pitching coach Claude Osteen said Dreifort also experienced tightness in his right forearm during the session.

``I'd rather finish (the season), but we're better off not,'' Dreifort said. ``It feels a lot better, but it's to a point where it's taken a long time to recover from the last start and I probably wouldn't be 100 percent for Sunday.''

Dreifort won a career-high 13 games (and lost a career 13) and had a 4.79 ERA. He's pitched 178-2/3 innings, the second-highest total of his career, and left his Sept. 15 start against Montreal with tightness in his shoulder.

At the time, the Dodgers said it wasn't a big deal, but Dreifort's recovery time was slow. And with his history of arm problems, the Dodgers didn't want to push Dreifort in meaningless games.

``After you miss two starts late in the year, I don't see the point (of him starting again),'' Johnson said. ``It's 80 percent (certain that) he's done; he won't pitch again this year. If he comes out here (Saturday) and is loose and wanted to throw an inning, I wouldn't have a problem with that.''

Though it's been a breakthrough year for Dreifort, particularly the last two months, he doesn't view it that way. However, he did earn a spot in next year's starting rotation by averaging 7-2/3 innings and going 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA in his last five starts.

Asked if he considered the year successful, Dreifort said, ``Nope. I can take positives in learning a lot of things this year, but the season as a whole, I don't see it as a positive.

``I had a lot of (poor) games early. You want to get better, but I feel I didn't come through in some games when we needed it.''

Even with Dreifort missing his last three starts, he's in for a sizable raise. After making $1.9 million this season, he's eligible for arbitration and could make approximately $4.5 million in 2000.

Chasing Wills: The last Dodgers shortstop to hit .300 (with minimum 100 at-bats) was Maury Wills, who batted .302 in 1963. Barring one of the worst slumps in major-league baseball history, Mark Grudzielanek will break that record.

Grudzielanek, who leads the Dodgers with a .327 average, could go 0 for 40 and finish the year at .300. Since coming off the disabled list July 6, Grudzielanek is hitting .352 with 16 doubles and 33 RBI. He also leads the National League with a .378 average in September.

FYI: Raul Mondesi was out of the starting lineup for the first time since his anti-management tirade in Montreal on Aug. 11. He's been experiencing problems with his left eye, so he underwent an exam at the UCLA eye institute. Mondesi had his pupils dilated, and Johnson said he would be hesitant to use the right fielder even in a pinch-hitting role. Dodgers officials hadn't received word on the results as of Thursday night. . . . . . . . Right-hander Mike Judd won't go to the Arizona Fall League because the tendinitis in his shoulder, which has caused him to miss the last 10 days, isn't getting any better. He last pitched Sept. 12, and won't pitch again this season.

DODGERS vs. SAN DIEGO

Time: 7:10 p.m., at Dodger Stadium.

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

Matchup: The Dodgers open their final series at home with right-hander Kevin Brown (17-8, 2.98 ERA) facing lefty Sterling Hitchcock (12-12, 4.10) and his former teammates. Brown is bidding to become the first Dodger to win 18 games since Ramon Martinez won 20 in 1990. He also needs to win to keep alive hope of winning 20 games for the second time in his career. He's 8-3 with a 2.01 ERA in 15 home starts. Hitchcock is one shy of tying his career high for wins. Saturday - Dodgers RH Eric Gagne (0-1, 3.18) vs. Padres RH Woody Williams (10-12, 4.58); Sunday - Dodgers LH Jeff Williams (1-0, 1.29) vs. Padres RH Buddy Carlyle (1-3, 6.49).

- Brian Dohn

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Box: DODGERS vs. SAN DIEGO (See text)