DODGERS NOTEBOOK: NOMO PITCHES FOUR INNINGS.

Byline: Kevin Modesti Staff Writer

JUPITER, Fla. - Almost every Dodgers pitcher faces an issue this spring, whether he's trying to return from an injury, trying to earn a starting job or trying to repeat a breakout season. Then there's Hideo Nomo.

``He's not one I have to worry too much about,'' manager Jim Tracy said.

Nomo continued his steady preparation for a likely opening-day start by becoming the first Dodger to pitch four innings this exhibition season and holding the Marlins to a hit and a walk in a game Florida won 7-0 on Saturday afternoon.

Two unearned runs scored on Nomo's watch because of two errors on one play by third baseman Adrian Beltre.

Nomo, whose 16-6 record led the Dodgers last year, follows a different training program than his teammates and it seems to work. He has a 1.00 ERA in three appearances.

He got through the four innings with 50 pitches, 38 of which were strikes.

--Bad day: Andy Ashby, hoping to stay in the starting rotation, had a very bad relief appearance against the Marlins, failing to get through two innings, giving up five runs (six hits, two walks).

``Andy, mechanically, obviously was out of sync,'' Tracy said. ``That's what spring training is all about.''

--Back on the field: Shortstop Cesar Izturis (rib cage muscle) and backup catcher Todd Hundley (sore back) returned to action. Izturis had a bunt single in two at-bats. Hundley took a third strike in his one time up.

Eric Gagne (stiff back) played catch in Vero Beach, Fla.