DODGERS NOTEBOOK: SIZZLING LO DUCA TO GET REST.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - Mindful of the 59-point discrepancy in Paul Lo Duca's career batting averages before and after the All-Star break, Dodgers manager Jim Tracy is determined to keep the veteran catcher well-rested this year. To that end, Lo Duca has started one game in left field and, for the first time this season, won't start at all today.

The effect is to give Lo Duca two days off, because the Dodgers don't play Monday.

Still, it must be awfully tempting for Tracy to change his mind, what with Lo Duca having gone 4 for 5 in Saturday's 5-4 win over San Francisco and with Lo Duca presently batting a National League-leading .512.

``I would like to hit .500 the whole year, but that's not going to happen,'' Lo Duca said. ``I'm not trying to do too much. I'm really just trying to stress good at-bats. Whether the game is on the line or out of reach, I always want to take good at-bats and not give at-bats away. I'm just trying to always put the ball in play.''

Lo Duca has hit safely in all 11 games this season and has six multi- hit games.

--Taking advantage: One guy who isn't known for being selective is infielder Jose Hernandez, who in 2002 with Milwaukee fell one strikeout short of tying the single-season major-league record. But Hernandez, who got a rare start Saturday and went 4 for 4 with a double, is adjusting well to coming off the bench, something he hasn't done regularly since 1997.

``They gave me a chance to play a lot in spring training, and I have been working with (coaches) Tim Wallach and Manny Mota, too,'' said Hernandez, who is 5 for 11.

``I have been patient at the plate, where sometimes in the past I would get to the plate and start jumping and swinging at every ball. So far, every at-bat this year has been great. I'm just trying to put the ball in play, and I hope I can keep doing it.''

--Cora hurt: Second baseman Alex Cora left the game with soreness in his right elbow after batting in the fifth inning. Cora said he doesn't think the injury is related to the right forearm he broke while playing winter ball.

``It just felt tight the whole day,'' said Cora, who could return to the lineup today.

Tracy had planned to rest shortstop Cesar Izturis, who had played every inning of every game and was a career 3 for 22 against Giants starter Kirk Rueter. But Izturis went in when Cora came out, forcing Hernandez to move to second.

Giants manager Felipe Alou lifted Rueter in the sixth inning, just as Izturis was about to come up. Izturis then drove in the eventual winning run with a single off reliever Jim Brower.

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DODGERS at SAN FRANCISCO

- Tony Jackson