DODGERS NOTEBOOK: NOMO'S OUTING ENCOURAGING.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

Hideo Nomo pitched a complete game Thursday, five days after allowing eight runs in less than an inning. But he claimed it wasn't his mechanics, release point or frame of mind that turned things around in the Dodgers' 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

``I didn't do anything differently, I didn't feel different from my last start,'' Nomo said. ``I didn't change anything. I give (Mike) Piazza credit for calling a good game.''

Pitching coach Goose Gregson said Nomo had better command of the split-finger fastball that he has been bouncing in front of the plate all season. Gregson said Nomo is a fierce competitor who, because of his enormous pride, often throws pitches that aren't working. But the two have been working together since Saturday's game in Chicago and the results were encouraging.

Thursday, Nomo pitched eight innings and gave up just three hits, including a game-winning homer by Marquis Grissom with one out in the seventh.

He struck out six and walked only two. Against the Cubs he walked three consecutive batters with the bases loaded.

Between starts, Gregson got Nomo to plant his right foot more parallel to the pitching rubber, giving him better balance.

``His windup can be difficult to control mechanically, so we just tried to make it more simple,'' Gregson said. ``Nomo did an outstanding job.''

Nomo's performance was a relief to Dodgers manager Bill Russell, who has been worried about the pitcher's inconsistency since spring training.

``Today, we saw the guy who has been so great for the organization,'' Russell said. ``We've been struggling and we need him to come through.''

Fast start: Unlike the Dodgers, Milwaukee is off to one of the best starts in franchise history. The Brewers are 14-6 and remain in first place in the NL Central. They also have the best road record in baseball (7-2). In seven years under manager Phil Garner, Milwaukee has a 73-58 record in April.

``That has always been important to us,'' said Garner, whose Brewers open a two-game series Monday at Dodger Stadium . ``We battle the elements in April. Winning is the only way to keep the fans in the game.''

Jaha on DL: The Brewers placed first baseman John Jaha on the disabled list. He is expected to miss a month to six week after a ligament tear was discovered in his left foot. Jaha, who hit a game-winning grand slam in Tuesday's victory against the Dodgers, injured his foot running the bases in Wednesday's 9-6 loss.

Taking Jaha's place on the roster is former USC outfielder Geoff Jenkins, who was batting .403 with three homers and 21 RBI in 14 games at Triple-A. Jenkins was Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Year in 1995, when he helped lead the Trojans to the NCAA championship game.

DODGERS vs. CHICAGO

Time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: 1150-AM, KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish).

Matchup: In the first of three games against the Chicago Cubs, Ismael Valdes (1-3, 4.44) faces hard-throwing rookie right-hander Kerry Wood (1-1, 3.72). Wood pitched five scoreless innings Saturday in an 8-1 victory vs. the Dodgers. Valdes will be glad to get back to Dodger Stadium. He is 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA in three road starts this season. Matchups for the rest of the series: Saturday (7:05 p.m., FSW2) - Darren Dreifort (0-1, 2.50) vs. Jeremi Gonzalez (1-2, 7.00); Sunday (1:05 p.m.) - Ramon Martinez (2-2, 3.27) vs. Steve Trachsel (3-1, 3.38).

- Matt Johnson

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Box: DODGERS vs. CHICAGO (See Text)