DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GRUDZIELANEK IS NEW MUSCLE MAN.

Byline: Steve Dilbeck Staff Writer

These days everyone powers the ball for the Dodgers, but in the process they've discovered an unexpected source - Mark Grudzielanek.

The second baseman never has hit more than seven home runs in a season during his six-year career, but his two-run shot in the second inning Saturday made it the third consecutive game in which he's homered.

Grudzielanek has four home runs on the young season, one behind Arizona's Luis Gonzalez and Toronto's Carlos Delgado for tops in the majors.

``It's just one of those things I guess,'' Grudzielanek said. ``One year (1996) I went out and hit five the first month and finished with six.

``I'm going to try and maintain my workout schedule as far as lifting. I put on about 15 pounds this offseason, got back from the viral infection I had last year to my playing weight. I got stronger than in the past. I'm sure that's part of it.''

Manager Jim Tracy said the Dodgers have encouraged Grudzielanek to be more patient at the plate.

``I think Grud is very focused on driving the ball and staying on top of it,'' Tracy said. ``The other thing he's doing better than previously, he's trying to be more patient at the plate. He's gotten to the point now where he gets upset at himself if he doesn't do it.

``We've tried from the start of spring training to make him aware that if they're not going to throw the ball over the plate to you and want to pitch to the guy behind you, let them.''

But Grudzielanek said if a mistake is made, he's being more aggressive in going after it.

``If I'm trying to do anything, it's just hit the mistakes a little better,'' he said. ``I'm trying to be a little more aggressive and take a little bigger hack. In the past, I was kind of feeling for the ball toward the middle and right side, instead of really swinging and getting after it. I'm trying to swing a little harder and hit the mistakes.''

--Brown to start Tuesday: The Dodgers decided to go the cautious route and push right-hander Kevin Brown's first start of the season from today to Tuesday in Arizona.

Brown, on the disabled list with a strained right Achilles tendon, hit and fielded before Saturday's game, but Tracy said they decided to wait until today for him to run the bases full speed. He also will throw on the side.

``We feel like we have done everything that we need to do to minimize the risk (of re-injury) as much as possible,'' Tracy said.

Brown will miss not only starting against the San Francisco Giants today, but by going Tuesday, will miss the Giants again next week.

Brown is 8-1 with a 1.45 ERA lifetime against the Giants.

DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO 

Time: 5 p.m., at Dodger Stadium

TV/Radio: ESPN; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish)

Matchup: No doubt ESPN was longing for the season debut of Kevin Brown, but it's right-hander Eric Gagne who gets the nod in the evening start. Gagne, who beat out veteran Ramon Martinez for the fifth spot in the rotation, allowed one run in the five innings of his first start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's made three career starts against the Giants, going 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. He'll be opposed by left-hander Kirk Rueter, 6-4 with a 4.18 ERA against the Dodgers, but who went 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA last year against L.A.

- Steve Dilbeck

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DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO (see text)