DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GRISSOM SORRY FOR INCIDENT.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

OAKLAND - An apologetic Marquis Grissom said frustration from a number of situations sparked his argument with an umpire nine days ago, and led to the six-game suspension and $3,000 fine that was announced Thursday.

Grissom was in the starting lineup as the Dodgers' designated hitter because the ruling, issued by Frank Robinson, vice president of on-field operations for baseball, was appealed by the players' association.

The suspension was set to begin Thursday. A date hasn't been set for the outfielder's appeal in front of baseball's COO Paul Beeston, but several people familiar with the process said it could be heard when the Dodgers are in Milwaukee July 23 through 25.

``I don't think I ever should have erupted that bad,'' Grissom said, talking publicly about the incident for the first time. ``I've been working hard the last three or four years, trying to come back and play. It's probably a little bit of everything boiling up together - with the fourth outfielder stuff and not playing every day, wanting to play every day. I'm not giving any excuses, but just fed up with a lot of stuff.

``You can't argue balls and strikes. I know that. Overall, I made a mistake which I really regret now. The six days and the money is nothing compared to what I got from my mom and my wife, the two dearest people, the closest to me. They came down on me pretty hard. We're trying to be a good Christian family, and my mom didn't take that too well. My wife just chewed my (butt) out real bad. Real bad. It was to the point where I felt bad about it. That's how she made me feel.''

The Dodgers didn't want Grissom to serve the suspension immediately because they face Oakland left-handers Mark Mulder and Barry Zito in this series and Pittsburgh lefty Jimmy Anderson on Tuesday.

``I would have liked to have seen it been a little bit less than six (games),'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``But for me to sit there and point a finger and say that was harsh or unfair, all that's going to do is get me in trouble.''

Robinson said he reviewed the videotape of the July 4 incident and ruled Grissom excessively argued with and bumped home-plate umpire Marvin Hudson on numerous occasions after being called out on strikes in the first inning.

``It was the bumping and it was contact with a finger two or three times and then the swipe at the end,'' Robinson said. ``I don't think (Grissom) hit (Hudson) with the swipe, but it was there. It's the whole thing taken into account, his aggressiveness in it.''

While Grissom didn't dispute contact being made with Hudson, he denied he swore before Hudson threw him out. After the game in which the incident occurred, Hudson said Grissom was ejected for swearing.

``He's lying,'' Grissom said. ``You can write that.''

Robinson added that Grissom's history as a cooperative player, and one who rarely is involved in controversy, was a factor in the ruling.

``It was a big lesson to learn for myself,'' said Grissom, who is batting .263 with 15 homers and 43 RBI. ``I think it's going to make me a better person and a better player overall. ... There's no excuse for that kind of behavior. I overreacted, especially being in the first inning.''

--Rusch week: After watching Mulder and Zito baffle Arizona's lineup before the All-Star break, it solidified the Dodgers' belief they might need a left-hander in the rotation when divisional play heats up late in the season.

So their interest in Mets lefty Glendon Rusch has been rekindled, sources said. The Mets initiated talks a month ago, trying to get rookie right-hander Luke Prokopec in a deal for Rusch, but the Dodgers wouldn't budge on their decision not to trade the Australian.

Now, the Mets are pushing to send Rusch and shortstop Rey Ordonez to the Dodgers for right-hander Eric Gagne and shortstop Alex Cora, sources said. But the Dodgers have no interest in picking up the $11 million remaining on Ordonez's contract.

The Dodgers remain interested in Rusch, but they are content to wait and see if a better deal materializes than Rusch for Gagne.

Dodgers interim general manager Dave Wallace, the Mets pitching coach last season, is fond of Rusch. And the 27-year-old lefty has pitched well lately despite a 4-5 mark and a 5.00 ERA. Rusch, who didn't allow an earned run in seven innings against Arizona earlier this season, is 0-1 with a 2.05 ERA in his last five starts.

--Bocachica update: Tracy said infielder Hiram Bocachica likely will be placed on the 15-day disabled list today. Bocachica injured his right ankle fielding grounders during Wednesday's optional workout at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers didn't immediately make the move, which Tracy said will be retroactive to Monday. There isn't a great need for position players since the Dodgers are playing under American League rules and there are few double-switch opportunities.

Gagne, who is scheduled to start Monday in Pittsburgh, could be recalled a few days early to fill Bocachica's slot.