DODGERS NOTEBOOK: HRS BY LUKE, HOWARD MEAN A DUEL IN A PINCH.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

Before Thomas Howard even came to bat in the second inning Wednesday afternoon, the Dodgers were talking about the 500-foot home run Matt Luke hit in the morning game.

Howard then stepped in against Montreal right-hander Mike Thurman and hit a two-run homer well over the fence in right field, capping an eight-run inning and helping lead the Dodgers to a 13-2 victory.

It was an unlikely game of home run derby between Howard, an eight-year major league veteran and Luke, an unknown. But both are now in direct competition for the job of left-handed bat off the Dodgers bench.

``No matter what the outcome, we have some people playing really well this spring,'' said Dodgers executive vice president Fred Claire. ``You always want the players to make it difficult. There are going to be some people who will have the right to be unhappy when we break camp.''

Because it was hit in a ``B'' game, Luke's home run will not count in the official spring statistics. But its impact on the Dodgers was clear. It came off Expos right-hander Ugueth Urbina, who saved 27 games last season.

``The guy is doing everything right,'' said Dodgers manager Bill Russell. ``He is hitting it off tough pitching.''

There are more than two weeks until Opening Day, so nothing is certain. But Luke, who has five doubles and a homer and is 3 for 3 as a pinch hitter, might be overtaking Howard. He also played in the regularly scheduled game and went 1 for 2 to raise his spring average to .389 (7 for 18).

Howard, 33, known more for speed than power, appeared to be the favorite when Eric Anthony's spring ended before it started because of a strained abdominal muscle. Howard is batting .300 (6 for 20).

``I am very pleased with the opportunity I've been given,'' said Howard, who went 2 for 4 with three RBI. ``All you want is a real chance to compete.''

Luke, whose major league experience consists of one game in 1996 with the Yankees, would have to clear waivers if the Dodgers decided to send him to the minors. Because of Luke's power, the club fears he would be claimed by another team.

Howard is a non-roster player who signed a minor-league contract Jan. 7. To make the club he would have to be moved onto the 40-man roster. That shouldn't be a problem, since the Dodgers are expected to release Billy Ashley if they cannot trade him before the March 24 deadline to guarantee contracts.

Howard has experience in center, a spot that is undecided. Expected starter Roger Cedeno has been sidelined for 10 games with a strained right hamstring and his progress has been slow.

``We think he can be back, but it's a long process,'' Claire said of Cedeno. ``A player can be 80 percent, but getting him to 85 and then to 90 can take awhile. There is still a chance he could reinjure himself and have to start over. You have to be patient.''

Windy and wild: Ramon Martinez, who is having the best spring among the starters, had control problems Wednesday. He walked four in four innings and concerned Russell by throwing 65 pitches. But with strong winds and an 8-0 lead after 1-1/2 innings, Martinez said he let down. He walked and ran the bases in the eight-run second.

Martinez walked three consecutive batters to open the second and allowed two runs. But he retired six of the final seven batters he faced.

``I wasn't as sharp, but I felt great,'' he said.

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Photo

PHOTO Montreal shortstop Mark Grudzielanek waits for a throw as the Dodgers' Tom Prince is picked off second base Wednesday in Florida.

Roberto Borea/Associated Press