DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SILVER LINING NOT LOST.

Byline: TONY JACKSON  Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS -- By the time David Eckstein was crossing the plate with the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning, Mark Hendrickson's performance was all but forgotten.

But for the first time since he was traded from Tampa Bay on June 27, Hendrickson says he finally feels like a bona fide member of the Dodgers.

The impossibly tall left-hander held the high-powered St. Louis Cardinals to fivehits over 6 2/3 innings on a sweltering afternoon, the only run scoring on a solo homer by Albert Pujols. Hendrickson left after issuing a two-out walk to Scott Spiezio in the seventh having thrown 110 pitches in his first legitimately good outing since joining the club.

``I'm starting to get a little more settled in,'' Hendrickson said. ``My first couple of starts were kind of hectic, but the (All-Star) break allowed me the chance to get a place (to live) and some normalcy and kind of re-evaluate what I did in the first half.''

Toby Hall, who was traded from the Devil Rays with Hendrickson, started behind the plate for the second time in Hendrickson's three starts, which also probably helped Hendrickson's comfort level. Although he is still looking for his first National League win, Hendrickson slashed his ERA with the Dodgers from 4.91 to 3.57.

Tomko open: Dodgers manager Grady Little has met with right-hander Brett Tomko to gauge his willingness to possibly pitch out of the bullpen when he returns from the disabled list, probably in about two weeks. While Tomko said he is perfectly willing and perhaps even eager to do it, Little has yet to make a firm decision.

``It's always something that has been really intriguing to me,'' said Tomko, who briefly worked as a long reliever for San Francisco last season. ``I told them I'm open to whatever they want me to do.''

The Dodgers bullpen has struggled all season, presently is a collective 12-19 with a 4.36 ERA and could use a pitcher with Tomko's stuff. Returning Tomko to the rotation probably would mean either removing veteran Aaron Sele, who has pitched well, or optioning rookie Chad Billingsley to the minors.

Tomko tested his strained left oblique by throwing 20 pitches off a mound at about 90-percent intensity and said he felt good.

Also: Outfielder Jason Repko (left ankle) took Saturday off from his rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas after going 1 for 4 with an RBI in Friday's loss to Tucson. In two games, Repko is 1 for 7. ... Rafael Furcal extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

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- Tony Jackson