DODGERS NOTEBOOK: HOULTON'S SLIDE MIGHT SEND HIM OFF.

Byline: Tony Jackson  Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS - Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said earlier this week that if club management decides to cut back to an 11-man pitching staff to add another bat, it might have to make ``a very, very tough decision'' with rookie reliever D.J. Houlton, a Rule 5 pick from Houston. Since that comment, though, Houlton might have made that decision a little easier.

During his last three appearances, the right-hander has allowed 12 earned runs and 12 hits in 3 2/3 innings, with six walks. His ERA, which was 2.08 a week ago, has soared to 10.22.

Houlton isn't sure what the problem is. But apparently, it isn't his mechanics.

``These are the best two days he has thrown,'' pitching coach Jim Colborn said Thursday, just after Houlton gave up four runs in one-plus innings in a 10-3 loss to St. Louis. ``We just have to figure out how to make the results better. But the quality of his pitches is way better. There is more life on his fastball, and his curveball is sharper. It's just sort of the travails that a young guy has to go through.''

That's nice to hear, but Houlton is tired of going through them.

``For the most part, I'm throwing the ball where I want to,'' he said.

``But it's just not working out for me right now. I probably won't get too many more opportunities.''

Houlton admitted his Rule 5 status, which in most cases suggests a player is being rushed to the big leagues, has been in the back of his mind when he has pitched lately. Eric Gagne could be activated from the disabled list as soon as today.

While it has been widely assumed that Steve Schmoll will be optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room for Gagne, it is conceivable the club would instead offer Houlton back to Houston, something the Dodgers would have to do before they could send him to the minors. The Astros almost certainly would want him.

--Staying put: Tracy said he has no plans to drop J.D. Drew from the third spot in the batting order despite Drew's season-long failure to produce in the clutch. After striking out with runners on second and third to end the fourth inning Thursday, Drew is hitting .080 (2 for 25) for the season with runners in scoring position.

``It will happen for him,'' Tracy said.

``When you hit third as much as he has in his career, you go through periods where you go 24 or 25 at-bats and only get a couple of base hits with runners in scoring position. So what? It happens to everyone.''

--Miscellany: Jeff Kent, who had played all but two innings this season, was given the day off. ... Infielder Norihiro Nakamura and pitcher Buddy Carlyle, designated for assignment over the past week, have cleared waivers and been outrighted to Las Vegas.