DODGERS NOTEBOOK: OSUNA'S STRUGGLES CONTINUE IN SETUP ROLE.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

For two innings, Antonio Osuna looked like he was ready for the setup role. Then came the third.

Osuna, who has struggled since being moved out of the closer role when Jeff Shaw was acquired at the All-Star break, allowed three consecutive singles to start the eighth Sunday night. The first two came around to score to tie the game, and the Dodgers lost 5-4 in the ninth.

``I'm just not very good right now,'' said Osuna, who allowed a season-high three runs Friday night, including Mark McGwire's second home run. ``But it is not the role I'm in. Tonight, I lost concentration.''

Osuna struck out Tom Pagnozzi to end the sixth. In the seventh, McGwire took Raul Mondesi to the wall, but Osuna escaped trouble.

Then, Ron Gant and John Mabry singled and Pat Kelly laid down a perfect bunt to load the bases. Scott Radinsky came in and two runs scored.

``We need Tony in that spot,'' manager Glenn Hoffman said. ``He looks comfortable, but if he's not we'll have to talk about that.''

Good reviews: ESPN broadcaster Charlie Steiner, in town for Sunday night's telecast, worked with former Dodgers GM Fred Claire during a July 4 game between the Mets and Braves in Atlanta.

Steiner said it was clear Claire was still stinging from the June 21 firing but offered valuable insights during the game.

``It was great for me because I got to play GM for a night,'' Steiner said. ``There are so many moves that are made that the average fan doesn't think about.''

The Mets might have been the perfect team for Claire to analyze because Mike Piazza and Hideo Nomo used to play for the Dodgers.

Claire, aware that fans in New York want to sign Piazza for any price, said it isn't that simple.

``He pointed out that Al Leiter and John Franco are free agents and that Rey Ordonez and Edgardo Alfonzo and others are eligible for salary arbitration,'' Steiner said. ``Everyone says give Mike what he wants, $90 million, $100,000 million, but Fred was saying `Where does the money come from?' He said a lot of things I never thought about. He was very good.''

Claire, who is looking into a baseball job with other clubs, is expected to do at least a few more broadcasts for ESPN this season.

Quick hit: After getting hits in his first three at-bats of the series, Wilton Guerrero went 0 for 16 the rest of the way.

DODGERS vs. CINCINNATI

Time: 7:05 p.m., Dodger Stadium.

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

Matchup: In the opener of a two-game series, Darren Dreifort (5-8, 3.73) faces right-hander Steve Parris (1-0, 4.05). Dreifort leads the Dodgers in ERA and strikeouts (108). Parris is making his fourth start for the Reds since his recall June 19. Tonight also marks the return of Paul Konerko, who was sent to Cincinnati with left-hander Dennis Reyes at the All-Star break for reliever Jeff Shaw. Konerko is batting .161 (5 for 31) with two homers and four RBI since joining the Reds. Reyes is pitching in Triple-A.

- Matt McHale

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: DODGERS vs. CINCINNATI (see text)