DODGERS NOTEBOOK: LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT JOHNSON WANTS PLAYERS TO FOCUS ON FUNDAMENTALS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

DENVER - Mark Grudzielanek failed to get a bunt down Sunday. Third baseman Adrian Beltre made an error when he rushed a throw and Alex Cora booted a ball in the ninth inning.

The Dodgers won that one, but the Dodgers aren't doing enough of the little things, and that's what manager Davey Johnson said must change now that the club is in a playoff race. Not coincidentally, it's the little things management was harping on when Johnson was criticized during the All-Star break.

``The first half is jockeying to try to solve some problems, get everybody on track, solidify roles and be positioned to play at a championship level,'' Johnson said. ``Those are things we have to get a little bit better at. There's still inexperience. We still make some mistakes that can cost us, that have cost us. This road trip, this should be fun. We're in position. We're in a pennant race. It's who can execute.''

The Dodgers began their 10-game road trip Monday four games behind National League West-leading Arizona and 2 1/2 games behind San Francisco in the wild-card standings.

However, one thing the Dodgers must solidify is their lineup, which has been in flux because of the injury to catcher Todd Hundley, the illness of Grudzielanek and the erratic batting of Todd Hollandsworth, who was yanked from the leadoff spot and replaced by Cora.

The return of Devon White should help the leadoff spot, but the Dodgers need more production from the bottom of the order. No. 6 hitter Adrian Beltre is 5 for 30 (.167) with six RBI with runners in scoring position in the last month. Cora, who usually bats eighth, is batting .172 (10 for 58) in his past 19 games. His average has dropped to .244 and he has one RBI since June 26.

``This is when it gets really fun to come to the ballpark,'' Johnson said. ``The every-day lineup needs to come together a little more.''

--Easing Devo back: Activated Sunday, White returned to the Dodgers lineup Monday after missing 71 games with a partially torn left rotator cuff. White batted leadoff and had in infield single in his first plate appearance. The center fielder was on base three times in five plate appearances and scored once.

However, it's yet to be decided how much White will play. Johnson said he will check in with White daily to monitor the outfielder's health, but White's intentions are clear.

``If I'm feeling ready to play, if I feel I can play every day, so be it,'' White said. ``I missed 2 1/2 months. I look at it as my turn to be healthy, and as long as I'm doing the job, I expect to be in there.''

--Odds and ends: Right-hander Gregg Olson is expected to be activated soon, possibly by the end of the four-game series against Colorado. The Dodgers are debating whether to send lefty Onan Masaoka to Triple-A Albuquerque or go back to 12 pitchers and option out Chris Donnels. . . . Utility outfielder F.P. Santangelo, on the 15-day disabled list with a left hand contusion, began a rehab assignment with Single-A San Bernardino and went 0 for 1 with a walk. He's not eligible to be activated until Aug. 1, but at that time Santangelo has to serve his five-game suspension. But going to San Bernardino now is more to get his swing in line. Santangelo is hitting .183. . . . Left fielder Gary Sheffield's hearing for his appeal of a five-game suspension is tentatively set for Aug. 29 in Milwaukee. . . . While Johnson reiterated catcher Todd Hundley might be lost for another week to 10 days with his broken right thumb, Hundley said he threw a little Sunday and is hoping to return at the end of the week. . . . Jason Repko, the Dodgers' top pick in 1999 who was at short-season Great Falls (Mont.), is out for the season with a back injury. The club's 2000 No. 1 pick, Ben Diggins, a pitcher from the University of Arizona, remains unsigned.

DODGERS vs. COLORADO

Time: 6:05 p.m., at Coors Field.

TV/Radio: Channel 5; 1150-AM, 610-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: In a rematch of the Dodgers' 6-3 win over the Rockies on Thursday, Los Angeles right-hander Chan Ho Park (10-7, 4.23 ERA) will face Colorado righty Masato Yoshii (4-11, 5.73). In the first meeting, Park broke a losing streak at three games and won for the first time in a month despite walking five in six innings. He allowed three runs on four hits. Yoshii couldn't hold a two-run lead in the sixth inning and lost on Shawn Green's three-run homer. Yoshii allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings.

- Brian Dohn

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Box: Dodgers vs. Colorado (see text)