DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GREEN HOPES HIS HITTING IN S.D. DOESN'T GO TO THE DOGS AT PETCO.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Shawn Green can't wait to check out Petco Park in San Diego, where the Dodgers visit for a three-game series Tuesday through Thursday. Actually, he's more relieved he never has to see Qualcomm Stadium again.

Green never liked it because he said he had trouble hitting there. And the numbers seem to back him up, as Green had a career .216 average with just six home runs and 16 RBI at Qualcomm.

``I hated hitting and playing at Qualcomm,'' Green said. ``It's one of those parks. Everyone has a place or two where they can't hit or don't like to play and for me that was by far the worst.''

Green had a little scare at Dodger Stadium on Sunday when he was hit on the hand by a fastball thrown by Shawn Estes. Green fell to the ground and rolled over, but shook it off and played the rest of the game.

``It's fine,'' said Green, who iced it afterward. ``I knew he was trying (to come inside) after throwing a couple of breaking balls.''

--Ring of fame: Dodgers outfielder Juan Encarnacion got a call Saturday from former Florida Marlins teammate Miguel Cabrera, who had just received his World Series ring and told Encarnacion about it.

``I'll get that ring,'' Encarnacion said. ``Mine will be late but there's no rush. (My teammates) will see it.''

The Dodgers will have a small window of opportunity to see the ring, valued at $40,000. Encarnacion said he'll wear it just for a few days because it's so big. The ring has 229 diamonds and 13 rubies.

--Also: Former Japanese pitcher Choji Murata, who at 54 years old still can throw an 88-mph fastball, threw the first pitch Sunday. Murata, a 215-game winner who underwent Tommy John surgery during his career, was clocked at just 77 mph. ... Phil Mickelson received a round of applause as the Dodgers showed his Masters win - his first victory in a major - on the stadium screen during the game. ... A fan wearing a tank top, shorts and a New York Yankees cap was chatting on his cell phone as he ran onto the Dodger Stadium field during the ninth inning Sunday. He was tackled by security and arrested without incident.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com