DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SHAW WON FIGHT AFTER BIG BRAWL HE REMAINS FOCUSED AND RECORDS SAVE.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

CHICAGO - Lost in the fight between the Dodgers and the fans at Wrigley Field was another homer by Todd Hundley and an incredible escape by closer Jeff Shaw.

The Cubs had runners on second and third and one out with the top of their lineup coming to the plate in the ninth inning, but Shaw got former Dodger Eric Young to pop out to third and Ricky Gutierrez to fly out to right to give the Dodgers a 6-5 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.

``Coming in, E.Y. was hot and talking in the Chicago papers about (not liking Dodgers manager Davey Johnson). I know he was jacked and ready to get the job done, so I knew he'd be anxious,'' said Hundley, whose three-run homer in the eighth was his seventh homer in eight starts. ``That's what was so huge. I think it was probably Shaw's toughest save all year.''

Of course, it was more than overshadowed when a fight started down the right field line that eventually had some of the Dodgers players and bullpen coach Rick Dempsey fighting in the stands.

It started with two outs in the ninth, after an RBI double by Julio Zoleta pulled the Cubs within 6-5. Johnson said a fan punched backup catcher Chad Kreuter in the back of the head, took his hat and several players went after the fan.

The fighting lasting nine minutes, and Shaw said he never made it further than the right-field foul line to see what was going on.

``With everything going on, I was trying to think how to get out of the inning,'' Shaw said. ``I just tried to focus on what I wanted to do to get out of the jam.''

--Perez's day: Dodgers left-hander Carlos Perez, or at least his representative, has his day in a Indian River County (Fla.) court today to answer charges stemming from his March 11 arrest for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol during spring training in Vero Beach, Fla.

Perez won't be present at the proceedings, but he said he knows what to expect. Perez, represented by Vero Beach-base attorney Norman Green, said he's anticipating a fine, a suspended driver's license for six months, community service and to have to take a class on the perils of driving under the influence.

``I'll be ready for anything,'' Perez said. ``What happened to me down there can happen to anybody. I talked to my agent (Adam Katz) Monday and he said it's only hurting me and to stay out of trouble. I don't want any new problems.''

Perez said he just wants to concentrate on pitching, and until he was shelled for seven runs in 1 2/3 innings Sunday in St. Louis, he was throwing fairly well.

Johnson said Perez's poor showing wasn't enough to classify the lefty's status in the starting rotation as being start-to-start, though a few more starts like that could make it time to dust off right-hander Orel Hershiser in the bullpen and return him to the starting rotation.

``To me, one start isn't the end of the world, especially for a guy who has to be good in the strike zone,'' Johnson said. ``Sometimes when you get into a jam, it's hard to go to plan B. (Everything is status quo) as long as his confidence is not shaken and I don't think that's the case.''

--Feeling better: Right-hander Mike Fetters played catch in the outfield and if he experiences no swelling in his right elbow, he will do the same today and throw in the bullpen Friday. Johnson said he wants Fetters to throw at least two bullpen sessions before being activated from the disabled list. He's eligible Friday but probably won't be back until after the road trip.

``We're going to be slow with that,'' Johnson said. ``I told him, `Once you throw a couple of pens, you don't need to go out on a rehab.' `'

The Dodgers could send lefty Onan Masaoka back to Triple-A Albuquerque when Fetters is activated. Masaoka has appeared in one game since returning to the Dodgers last Wednesday, but his velocity remained in the mid 80s. Masaoka is the only lefty in the Dodgers bullpen, but Fetters is particularly strong against left-handers, who are 1 for 16 against him.

--Odds and ends: Shortstop Kevin Elster continued to take ground balls and batting practice and he said he'll be ready to come off the disabled list Friday in Florida. The expected move is to send Alex Cora back to Albuquerque despite how well he's played in Elster's place. . . . Cubs left fielder Henry Rodriguez left the game in the bottom of the third inning after fouling a ball off his right knee. He's listed as day-to-day.

DODGERS vs. CHICAGO

Time: 11:20 a.m., at Wrigley Field

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1150-AM, 610-AM, KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish)

Matchup: Dodgers right-hander Darren Dreifort (3-1, 2.59 ERA) looks to carry momentum over from perhaps the best start of a his career, a two-hit complete-game shutout of St. Louis, in his start against the Cubs. Dreifort is fifth in the NL in ERA and opponents' batting-average-against(.199). He leads the league in road ERA at 1.08, and he's won his past three decisions. Chicago's rookie lefty Scott Downs (1-1, 6.69) makes his eighth start, and he's had trouble lately. He allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks in three innings in his last start, which came against Milwaukee.

- Brian Dohn

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Box: Dodgers vs. Chicago (see text)