DODGERS NOTEBOOK: HUNDLEY FELT READY, GEARED FOR RETURN.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Todd Hundley knew long before catcher Angel Pena left the game in the sixth inning that he would probably work his way into the lineup.

Just like Hundley knew his solo homer in the ninth wasn't the biggest thing he did in the Dodgers' 4-2 win against the Giants on Friday at 3Com Park.

More importantly to Hundley, and the long-term health of the Dodgers, is the way he pounced on F.P. Santangelo's bunt in the eighth inning and fired a strike to first baseman Eric Karros.

``That definitely is more satisfying,'' Hundley said. ``I'm getting back to feeling like myself behind the play. The hitting will happen. I'm not worried about the hitting.''

Hundley's return wasn't due until today. It was supposed to coincide with lefty Carlos Perez's return to the starting rotation.

But before the game Pena was feeling tightness in his right hamstring. Before he pulled the muscle, Dodgers manager Davey Johnson pulled Pena from the game. ``I tried to stretch it before the game so I could be ready,'' Pena said. ``I think I'll be fine.''

Pena said he expects to be ready for Sunday. Hundley's been gearing up the last 11 days for today.

Hundley caught the last two innings in Thursday's loss to San Diego. That wasn't planned, but his start today against the Giants was set. After spending 11 days in Camp Dempsey, Hundley gets his first start.

For the past 10 games, Hundley has worked on his throwing mechanics and built arm strength by throwing balls to second and third base under the guidance of bullpen coach Rick Dempsey.

``In the baseball world, yeah, it's been (humbling),'' Hundley said of his ordeal. ``It has nothing to do with the fans. You can't cheat the world of baseball and expect to get away with it. I missed two spring trainings and didn't get to do the work.''

Lineup lingo: Dodgers manager Davey Johnson continued his lineup tweaking by switching Eric Karros to the cleanup spot and moving Raul Mondesi down a slot to fifth. Johnson said he did it for a night because the slumping Mondesi, who's homered once in his last 81 at-bats, entered the night with a .150 career average against Giants starter Shawn Estes.

And Mondesi has struck out nine times in 20 at-bats against Estes.

Johnson also started Trenidad Hubbard in center field and batted him second, giving Devon White his second straight day off. Johnson said he'll probably rest Eric Karros today against right-hander Chris Brock and start left-handed hitter Todd Hollandsworth at first.

Perez returns: Perez (2-8, 7.38 ERA) last pitched June 16, getting pulled after allowing four runs in 3-1/3 innings. But Johnson's been pleased with Perez's side work, much of which focused on long-tossing.

``He's been able to loosen his shoulder,'' Johnson said. ``He's been throwing from left field to home. That's the way you used to test starting pitchers. If you couldn't throw from the left-field wall to home plate, you wouldn't start.''

Osuna update: When Antonio Osuna underwent elbow surgery in May, the Dodgers hoped he would be back between the All-Star break and Aug. 1. Before the game at 3Com, Osuna threw his second bullpen session, after which Johnson said the right-handed reliever could be ready to begin a rehab stint late next week.

``You have to have three good sessions, and preferably four,'' Johnson said. ``He's going to throw again Sunday. We'll see how it feels on Tuesday.''

Osuna threw fastballs and change-ups in his first two workouts. He's slated to throw breaking pitches in Sunday's session. Johnson acknowledged if things went well, Osuna could begin a rehab assignment late in the week.

Balks, walks and chalk: Giants manager Dusty Baker said outfielder Ellis Burks (right knee inflammation) would be a activated from the disabled list today. . . . San Francisco's Jeff Kent entered the night 1 for 12 against starter Kevin Brown, but he went 2 for 3.

DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO

Time: 1:05 p.m., at 3Com Park.

TV/Radio: Channel 11; KXTA-AM (1150), KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish).

Matchup: It's an important game to the long-term health of the Dodgers since Todd Hundley returns behind the plate and lefty Carlos Perez (2-8, 7.38 ERA) gets the umpteenth chance to prove he should remain in the starting rotation. Perez last pitched June 15, which is when he was removed after giving up four runs in 3-1/3 innings before taking out his frustrations on a water cooler in the corner of the Dodgers dugout. Perez was skipped in the Dodgers' last run through the rotation, and with Monday's day off a poor performance can bring the same consequence. The Giants will start right-hander Chris Brock (5-6, 5.36), and lately, believe it or not, has pitched perhaps has poorly as Perez. Brock has lost three straight, during which his ERA is 8.89 spanning five games.

- Brian Dohn

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BOX: DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO (see text)