DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GREEN FEELING BETTER: IS HOT STREAK NEAR?

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

When things are going well, Shawn Green has one of the sweetest swings in baseball.

But Green hasn't been able to find that groove this year. At least not on a consistent basis.

Green homered Friday for just the eighth time this season. He hit 42 home runs last year and 49 - a franchise record - the year before. Green is a notoriously slow starter. And while it might seem things usually come easy for Green, that's not always the case.

``I feel good. Obviously, I've been battling all year,'' Green said. ``It's nice to feel good at the plate. For me, I'd like to see it happen for a few days in a row. But I've felt good the last couple of days. It's a constant battle every year. Sometimes, you're not swinging well. And with me, it tends to come in streaks.''

Green didn't expect a smooth transition when he was traded from Toronto. He hit 24 home runs in his first season with the Dodgers in 2000. But it was the 49 home runs - a number etched in the Dodgers' mural on the outfield wall - that people come to expect.

``I'm sure that set the standard, and when you're behind like I've been this year, you want to catch up and live up to expectations,'' Green said.

--Interleague success: Many players and managers don't like the interleague schedule, but the Dodgers should think about lobbying for even more games. The Dodgers own the best interleague record in the majors at 11-3. They were 12-6 last year.

``It's worked out well,'' Green said. ``The thing that's been different this year is that when we went to Cleveland and Detroit, we swept them. Last year, we probably would've won two or three. We've swept six teams this year and that's tough to do.''

The Dodgers can add their third interleague sweep with a victory over the Angels today.

--Crime Dog sits: Fred McGriff missed his seventh consecutive game Saturday with a strained groin. McGriff hit in the batting cage Saturday and ran at about 100 percent. He should be available for pinch-hitting duty today.

McGriff has been replaced at first base with Mike Kinkade, Paul Lo Duca and Daryle Ward. McGriff needs 12 home runs to make the 500 club.

--Second chance: Left-handed reliever Wilson Alvarez had thought about retiring several times the past couple of years because of injuries. Alvarez, 33, didn't make the 25-man roster out of spring training. He went home to ponder his Triple-A assignment and then decided to come back.

``What can I say?'' Alvarez said. ``This organization gave me the chance to do something. The only way I got the chance was to work hard and show that I can still pitch.''

He can.

Alvarez pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief Saturday, taking over for Andy Ashby with two runners on base in the sixth. Alvarez got Garret Anderson to fly out to center field but then hit Brad Fullmer on the brim of his cap to load the bases. He struck out Scott Spiezio to get out of the jam. The strikeout was met with a roar from the fans and celebration by Ashby.

--News and notes: Today's game against the Angels is a sellout, the sixth of the season. Friday's game against the Angels also was a sellout. ... Kevin Brown, who starts today, needs just seven more victories to reach his 200th career victory. ... Dave Roberts leads the majors with 13 bunt singles. He also stole his 24th base of the season.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com