DODGERS NOTEBOOK: HOW GREEN GOT HIS GROOVE BACK.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

PHOENIX - The count was 0-2, Houston's Wade Miller was on the mound, a runner was on base and Dodgers right fielder Shawn Green smashed a homer that he believes triggered his stellar 2001 season.

That happened May 25, and in the next 20 games inclusive, Green had 31 hits, batted .365 and hit seven homers.

Green compared that feeling to the one he had earlier in the week in Milwaukee, although he said he began the ascent from his seasonlong abyss before enjoying a record-smashing four-homer, 19-total base game Thursday against the Brewers.

Green, who went 6 for 6 with seven RBI, said his groove began with two homers Tuesday. It's just that he became the hottest thing in sports with what he did two days ago.

``I didn't realize how much attention you can get over one game,'' said Green, who then homered in his first at-bat Friday against Arizona. ``I've had tons of phone calls. My wife's had tons of phone calls. Even walking through the mall across from the hotel, there were some people who said, 'Hey, great game.' I don't get recognized too often. One good night will do that, I guess.''

Becoming the 14th major-leaguer to hit four homers in a game will cause a stir. It held even Green captive. He said he watched ``SportsCenter'' a few times.

The mailbox on his cellular phone was full by the time the game ended. He cleared the messages, boarded the team's chartered plane and had a full mailbox again when the plane touched down in Arizona.

The usually unemotional Green also noticed how big his grin was while rounding the bases after his fourth homer.

``I didn't know what to do,'' Green said. ``I was kind of embarrassed. I didn't know how to react. The whole game just blew my mind. It was one of those games where all the stars were aligned.''

--Green continued: Green's fourth homer bounced away from fans at Miller Park, was retrieved and presented to him. The club plans on giving him the lineup card manager Jim Tracy used for the game.

``I don't think I could ever have a game that was more enjoyable on a personal level,'' Green said. ``When it comes to playing in a World Series or something like that, it would blow that away.''

--Mending lefties: Lefty Terry Mulholland arrived at the ballpark about three hours before game time and was slated to throw a bullpen session, but he isn't close to being activated from the disabled list after experiencing a setback during the week.

Mulholland said he arrived at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday with back spasms, the same ailment that sent him to the disabled list, retroactive to May 3. He might throw live batting practice Tuesday but could be a week away from returning.

In fact, lefty Jesse Orosco should return before Mulholland. Orosco will throw another bullpen session today and another Monday. The Dodgers expect to activate him before Wednesday's game against Milwaukee. That would give the Dodgers a healthy Orosco when Arizona, with its abundance of left-handed batters, plays next weekend in Dodger Stadium.

--Odds and ends: Tracy said he plans to play catcher Paul Lo Duca all three games against Arizona, despite Sunday's afternoon game after a game tonight. ... The Dodgers were averaging 2.68 runs per game against the top eight pitching teams in the league, and 4.75 runs per game against the next eight teams. Arizona ranked 10 th with a 4.16 ERA.

DODGERS vs. ARIZONA Time: 7:05 p.m., Bank One Ballpark. TV/Radio: Ch. 13; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish). Matchup: The only team RH Andy Ashby (3-4, 3.21 ERA) faced last season was Arizona - he won both of his starts but also injured his elbow at Bank One Ballpark and missed the remainder of the season. Now he returns to face the Diamondbacks and RH Rick Helling (4-4, 5.84). Ashby allowed one run in seven innings in beating Montreal in his last start. Arizona left fielder Luis Gonzalez is 16 for 46 (.348) with four homers and 14 RBI against Ashby. Helling has a 3.00 ERA in his past three starts but is 2-1 with a 9.30 ERA at home. - Brian Dohn

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DODGERS vs. ARIZONA (see text)