DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GAGNE TIPPING OFF BATTERS?

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

There might be a simple reason Eric Gagne is failing to solidify his standing in the Dodgers' starting rotation, and he and pitching coach Jim Colborn addressed it Tuesday.

Colborn said Gagne is tipping his pitches when runners are on base. Gagne apparently moves his glove in a particular manner depending on which pitch he was throwing, and both said the Colorado Rockies have picked up on it.

And it wasn't just Monday, when the Rockies ripped Gagne for seven runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings, but also when Gagne allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings last week at Colorado's Coors Field.

``They were stealing his pitches,'' Colborn said. ``They probably picked it up over there (in Denver). It's pretty easy to see and that's the first thing hitters look for.''

Gagne said it didn't matter which pitch he threw - changeup, slider, fastball or curve - the Rockies hitters knew what was coming. Several players in the dugout told Gagne after his outing he was tipping pitches.

So Gagne worked in the bullpen Tuesday to mask his delivery and grip of the ball. Colborn said the adjustments went well.

``(The Rockies) were right on my pitches all the time,'' said Gagne, who is 1-3 with a 5.14 ERA. ``Every time there were people on base, I couldn't get a pitch by 'em. They were on every single pitch. When nobody was on, they were easy innings. I know (Todd) Walker got it. There's no way he could have picked that one up even in Denver, a fastball down and away, a very good first-pitch fastball down and away. (Todd) Helton's a good hitter, but he was looking for that fastball down and away.''

Helton ended up hitting a grand slam in a five-run third inning, and Gagne was knocked out in the fourth when the Rockies scored twice more.

Gagne reviewed videotape of about 15 starts and said he thought San Francisco and the Mets also recognized his pitches in the past two years. Against San Francisco, he was 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA last season and allowed six runs on eight hits in six innings the first week of this season. Gagne was 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA against the Mets in 2000.

``When you know where to look, it's easy to pick up,'' Gagne said. ``I could hit home runs every time I go up there if I know what is coming. If you look at tapes and see when nobody's on, they don't look the same. They told me after the game and I slept a little better. I wish I could face the Rockies again.''

--Injury roundup: First baseman Eric Karros is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list next Wednesday, which would make him available for the final two games of the four-game series at Arizona. However, he'll probably remain inactive.

Neither Karros nor left fielder Gary Sheffield, who's eligible to return from his sprained left index finger June 8, will accompany the team on its seven-game road trip to Houston and Arizona.

Remarkably, the Dodgers were 8-0 in the eight games Sheffield missed entering Tuesday. When Sheffield missed 11 games with a viral infection last season, the Dodgers went 8-3.

``What I'm getting out of this is that it's showing everybody in the room, whether I'm in there or not, we can get the job done,'' Sheffield said. ``Now, we can rely on everybody, and then I don't have to put too much pressure on myself.''

Right-hander Andy Ashby will take a big step today in his hopes of returning from a sprained right elbow. He'll throw breaking pitches for the first time since being placed on the disabled list six weeks ago. If all goes well, Ashby will throw another bullpen session Saturday and face batters early next week in either a rehab start or a simulated game, manager Jim Tracy said.

--Odds and ends: Dodgers third-base coach Glenn Hoffman, who served as the club's interim manager during the hectic 1998 season, is on the Florida Marlins' long list to replace the fired John Boles as manager. ... Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek (right thumb) returned to the lineup after taking Monday off to rest an injury. Grudzielanek added he has no plans to join teammates Gary Sheffield and Eric Karros on the disabled list. ... Hiram Bocachica started in left field for the first time in his major-league career. He played the position regularly in winter ball.

DODGERS vs. COLORADO

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

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

Matchup: Manager Jim Tracy altered the rotation last week so RH Chan Ho Park (5-4, 2.95 ERA) would work twice on the homestand, and Park closes the six-game swing against the Rockies. Park is 5-1 with a 1.99 ERA in six starts at Chavez Ravine, including allowing one run and striking out 10 in 7 2/3 innings Friday against Houston. He's allowed 24 hits in 40 2/3 innings. Colorado counters with LH Mike Hampton (7-1, 2.65), who's defied the Coors Field odds and pitched better at home than on the road. Hampton is 4-1 with a 2.86 ERA on the road and 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA at home.

- Brian Dohn

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DODGERS vs. COLORADO (see text)