DODGERS NOTEBOOK: POST-CLARK ERA BEGINS.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

For the first time since hitting coach Jack Clark was fired, Dodgers players went back to work.

Interim hitting coach George Hendrick made his debut Tuesday, two days after Clark was let go. Hendrick had his first meeting with Dodgers manager Jim Tracy and another with position players.

``He said all the right things,'' Jeromy Burnitz said. ``He talked about getting a good pitch to hit and taking your best swing.''

Hendrick declined comment through a Dodgers spokesman, not like that is anything new. Hendrick, 54, has made a habit of not talking to the media throughout his 18-year playing career with Oakland, Cleveland, San Diego, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and the Angels.

Hendrick was the hitting coach at Triple-A Las Vegas, where utility player Jason Romano spent part of the season.

``He's a great guy,'' Romano said. ``He's very positive. He always has something to say to help you out. He helps you with your confidence. He knows how to hit. He did it throughout his whole career.''

Hendrick, a friend of Clark's, has a tough task in trying to help an offense that has been unproductive all season.

``I don't expect miracles,'' Tracy said. ``I don't expect him to be a savior.''

Players expressed sadness about losing Clark, who was in his third season with the team. He recently made critical remarks about Dodgers personnel, no doubt precipitating his departure.

``It's pretty obvious at this point of the season that he was the fall guy,'' Shawn Green said. ``But it definitely wasn't his fault.''

Said Jolbert Cabrera: ``I feel very bad. Our poor production cost him his job. He tried to help us. He did everything he could. We just didn't produce.''

Clark was fired late Sunday night after the Dodgers finished 2-7 on their road trip, on which they scored a combined seven runs in the first six games. The offense has been horrible this season and is ranked last in 11 of the 25 offensive categories in the National League.

--You make the call: Burnitz, ejected twice for arguing calls during the weekend series in Atlanta, was interested to hear umpire Tim Welke admit he might have made a mistake on a call he made during a game between Colorado and Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Welke called out the Rockies' Jay Payton at first base for the game's final out. The tying run would have scored.

Burnitz was vocal about the umpires last weekend and said his feelings stemmed from ``years of watching.'' He was glad to hear about Welke's statement.

``That's good,'' Burnitz said. ``Admitting you make a mistake, sometimes that's the path to performing better. We want to find a way to get them to make the right call more often. That's it. You want them to do the best job possible.''

--Injury report: Fred McGriff ran at about 90 percent Tuesday, according to Tracy. McGriff was running on a straight line but has yet to run the bases.

McGriff went on the disabled list July 6 with a groin strain. He sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during rehabilitation. ...

Catcher Todd Hundley, who had back surgery, is running and making throws from home plate to second base. He's also hitting off the tee in the batting cage. ...

Reliever Troy Brohawn (left rotator cuff tendinitis) is playing catch and throwing on flat ground.

--Also: Actress Sharon Stone threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and her toss reached home plate.

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DODGERS vs. CINCINNATI

- Jill Painter