DODGERS NOTEBOOK: RELIEVER SHAW AN `AUTOMATIC'.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

A year ago there were questions about Jeff Shaw and whether he had lost the ability to close games. Now, he might be the Dodgers' only representative at next month's All-Star Game in Seattle.

Shaw is tied for the National League lead with 19 saves and he has made everyone forget about his miserable first half of last season by closing 19 of the Dodgers' 36 wins in 2001.

Even the two saves that Shaw has blown cannot be traced to a rally but rather to happenstance.

The first one came April 13 at San Diego and was aided by a one-out balk with a runner on second. The run scored on a sacrifice fly. Shaw's blown save last weekend against Anaheim came after Jeff Reboulet's error and then a bloop single over a drawn-in infield led to an unearned run.

``That's being able to get out there a lot and I think that's the biggest key,'' said Shaw, whose 33 appearances are six more than any other Dodgers pitcher. ``If I can get out there on a consistent basis, I can feel a lot more comfortable and hit spots. That was my game plan because I'm definitely not going to throw the ball by you.''

During a spring-training meeting with Jim Tracy, Shaw said he asked to pitch on a consistent basis to keep sharp. His control has been impeccable as he locates his pitches well. Shaw has walked eight in 32 2/3 innings, and opponents are hitting .181 against him, which is nothing like the first half of last season when Shaw blew seven saves and had an 8.00 ERA before going on the disabled list for the first time in his career.

However, since last year's All-Star break, Shaw has been nearly automatic. He's saved 34 of 36 chances and is 3-1 with a 1.57 ERA.

``(Tracy) asked me, 'How much do you need to be used to be effective?' '' Shaw said. ``I told him four, five times a week is good.''

--Green at first? First baseman Eric Karros will be activated today, which will end the first-base platoon of catcher Paul Lo Duca and pinch- hitting specialist Dave Hansen. However, during Karros' three weeks on the disabled list, right fielder Shawn Green was a pregame fixture at first, taking grounders in an effort to maintain his hand-eye coordination.

Manager Tracy said he thought of playing Green at first but opted not to. But even with Karros' return, Green said he will continue his work at first base, as well as the outfield.

``The one thing I've learned from all these injuries that have taken place is to get to work and learn how to play another position,'' Green said. ``In case the situation comes up again, the team has more flexibility if they can move me around.''

Green has been instrumental in the Dodgers' remaining afloat in the National League West despite the injuries. He's enjoying one of his best stretches as a Dodger. He enters tonight's game in Anaheim with a season-high eight-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .382. In his last 18 games, Green is batting .363 (29 for 80) with seven homers, 23 RBI and 16 runs scored.

The 28-year-old is also on pace to establish a Los Angeles Dodgers record for single-season RBI by a left-handed hitter. Green, who is batting .292 with 17 homers, has 54 RBI. He's on pace for 133, far surpassing the mark of 99 he shares with Darryl Strawberry.

--Odds and ends: Unable to work a trade, the Dodgers placed catcher Angel Pena on waivers Thursday. They're hopeful he clears, not only because of his enormous talent but also the catching situation at Triple-A Las Vegas. Catcher Brian Johnson, who's played with seven major-league teams and was recalled earlier this season, is out with a broken hand, which he hurt Saturday. Geronimo Gil is now the starting catcher with the 51s. It makes the health of Paul Lo Duca and Chad Kreuter even more important. ... Infielder Hiram Bocachica, who will get the majority of starts at second base with Mark Grudzielanek on the disabled list, is hitting .256 with a homer and eight RBI. However, in his 15 starts Bocachica is hitting .352 (19 for 54) with a homer and seven RBI. ... The Dodgers begin a three-game series in Anaheim today as they continue a 31-game stretch in which they play solely in California. They don't leave the state until they play at Pittsburgh on July 15.

DODGERS VS. ANGELSTime: 7:10 p.m.

Time: 7:10 p.m., at Edison Field.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2;1150-AM, KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish).

Matchup: The Dodgers travel down the I-5 for the second weekend of the Freeway Series, this time in the Angels' ballpark. RH Chan Ho Park (7-4, 2.75 ERA) starts for the Dodgers. He's a dominating 6-1 at home but is 1-3 on the road. However, he won his last road start, pitching seven innings at Arizona. Park is also 5-2 with a 2.02 ERA in his last nine starts. He's opposed by Angels RH Ramon Ortiz (4-4, 4.00). The two met last week at Dodger Stadium in a 2-1 Dodgers win, though neither were involved in the decision. Saturday - Dodgers RH Terry Adams (2-2, 4.65) vs. Angels LH Jarrod Washburn (4-4, 4.39); Sunday - Dodgers RH Luke Prokopec (6-3, 4.54) vs. Angels RH Pat Rapp (1-7, 4.44).

- Brian Dohn

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DODGERS vs. ANGELS (see text)