DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GRUDZIELANEK HAS HITTING IN ORDER.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO - Mark Grudzielanek wouldn't allow himself to become preoccupied with his placement in the batting order. However, for the first time this season the Dodgers second baseman might have more than a cameo in the second spot.

Grudzielanek, who has five multihit games over a six-game span and is batting .368 since the All-Star break, returned to the No. 2 spot for the first time since June 16 as the Dodgers began a 13-game road trip Monday in San Diego.

Could it be more than a one-game thing?

``I don't have the answer to that question,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``You can't ignore the way the guy is swinging the bat. If it affords you the possibility to try this scenario here, it's worth a shot. Let's see where it takes us. It would be a very difficult thing to do if we're not getting some of the offense we're getting from him.

``We're trying to get some additional offense going. I think if we do that, what you'll see is a lot of different areas of our ballclub re-settle themselves.''

In the previous three seasons, nearly 81 percent of Grudzielanek's at-bats came in the second spot, but he was relegated to seventh or eighth much of this season.

Going into Monday, the Dodgers scored 27 runs in their 2-9 slide since the All-Star break, which prompted the move.

Shortstop Cesar Izturis spent the first two months batting second and had a .218 average there. Paul Lo Duca hit .303 from the second spot in extended duty there, but he was moved to fourth. The No. 2 spot in the order has produced a .248 average, worst among the first eight spots.

``It's to the point right now where I'm sure (Tracy) is going to be mixing it up a little bit, trying a little different lineup in there,'' Grudzielanek said. ``Where we're at right now, you have to try everything. We'll see what happens. I'll do what I can do.''

--Brown throws: Dodgers right-hander Kevin Brown, who had back surgery June 11, threw from a mound for the first time since he injured his elbow for a second time May 26. He threw 50 pitches in Los Angeles under the supervision of physical therapist Pat Screnar and pitching coach Jim Colborn.

Brown is scheduled to throw mound sessions Wednesday and Friday and right-hander Darren Dreifort will pitch a simulated game today. The Dodgers are targeting September returns for both.

``There will be more mound work and some simulated games (for Brown),'' Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said. ``(Brown) will go on a rehab assignment.''

--Minor trade: Evans acquired a utility player but probably not one for the major-league level. The Dodgers received infielder/outfielder Jolbert Cabrera from Cleveland for minor- league pitcher Lance Caraccioli.

Cabrera, 29, was playing for Triple-A Buffalo and is expected to join the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas by Friday. The Dodgers acquired him for minor-league depth this season, but he could be used as a utility player on the major-league level next season.

Cabrera made national headlines in December when he was shot in the right buttock during an attempted car-jacking in his native Colombia. He batted .111 with seven RBI with Cleveland before he was demoted July 11. Cabrera was 1 for 24 (.024) against right-handers.

Caraccioli, a left-hander, was 4-3 with a 4.14 ERA with Las Vegas, but the Dodgers viewed him as a potential situational lefty in the future, at best.

--Odds and ends: Evans has had substantial talks with Milwaukee about trading for third/first baseman Tyler Houston, but no agreement has been reached, sources said.

The Dodgers are offering Triple-A second baseman Joe Thurston and the sides are trying to agree on another player. ...

Tracy said his son, Bryan, a right-handed pitcher out of Claremont High and selected by the Dodgers in the 21st round of June's draft, informed the club he will go to UC Santa Barbara.

DODGERS vs. SAN DIEGO

Time:7:05 p.m., Qualcomm Stadium.

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

Matchup: In a rematch of Thursday's game at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers RH Andy Ashby (7-8, 3.79 ERA) faces Padres RH Brett Tomko (5-6, 3.53). Tomko allowed one run on five hits in eight innings in beating the Dodgers. He is 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA against the Dodgers but 3-6 with a 3.90 ERA against the rest of baseball. Ashby has worked diligently with pitching coach Jim Colborn on his mechanics and is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in his last four starts. He's allowed 30 hits in 22 2/3 innings, including yielding 10 hits and four runs in six innings in his last start.

- Brian Dohn

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DODGERS vs. SAN DIEGO (see text)