DODGERS NOTEBOOK: STRUGGLES AGAIN FOR MULHOLLAND.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Terry Mulholland hasn't quite figured out his role, nor how to pitch in it. He'll have to do both or his relief appearances will continue to be infrequent.

The struggling Dodgers' reliever has pitched in just 17 games this season and the results aren't pretty. He has a 8.88 ERA, down from 9.13 before Saturday's game. He has allowed 28 runs on 40 hits.

``I should be getting used to (infrequent appearances) by now,'' Mulholland said. ``That's my problem. If that's the way I'm going to be used, I've gotta figure out how to stay sharp. There are guys that physically need to rest, but I'm ready to take the ball day in and day out but I'm not getting that this year.''

Perhaps Jim Tracy has given up on quality outings from Mulholland. But if that's the case, it's not something Mulholland is worried about.

``When I go out on the mound, I have a job to do,'' Mulholland said. ``It doesn't matter whether the manager has confidence in you or not. When he gives you the ball, he's asking you to get people out. I'm not here to play for the manager's approval. I'm here to win ballgames.''

Not that Mulholland has been getting batters out. He's allowed 10 home runs in 25 1/3 innings. He was called upon Saturday, but his second pitch - a breaking ball - was tagged for a two-run home run by Arizona's Rod Barajas in the sixth inning.

A 5-2 deficit quickly turned into a 7-2 deficit for the Dodgers.

Mulholland last pitched July 7 at St. Louis and wasn't sharp in that outing, either. He allowed three earned runs on four hits in two innings.

He said he feels ready when he's given the ball. Only the results don't back his contention.

``I go out there ready to get people out,'' Mulholland said. ``It was my breaking ball again that went out of the park.''

--Ashby's plight: Starter Andy Ashby, who began the season strong after right elbow surgery last year, has struggled in his past three starts. He won three starts in June but hasn't won since June 23.

The home run he allowed Saturday was his 12th this year.

``It's embarrassing when you fall behind and walk guys,'' Ashby said. ``Good things aren't going to happen. I didn't find my rhythm. It's not good right now.''

Ashby said he's trying too hard and thinking too much.

``The main thing is to stop thinking and let it happen,'' Ashby said. ``I think I'm forcing the ball and not being aggressive with it. I've been going on two paths here, being too aggressive or not enough.''

--Battling Beltre: Adrian Beltre, the 23-year-old third baseman, continues to be baffled at the plate. Despite having the most at-bats on the team with 330 - eight more than Shawn Green - Beltre is hitting just .236 with 50 strikeouts and just 31 RBI. Beltre is 2 for 10 on this homestand.

But Tracy has stuck with him.

``You continue to encourage him and continue to send him out there and continue to play him,'' Tracy said. ``It's something we've done, and something we'll continue to do. I believe he has more at-bats and plate appearances than anyone on this ballclub. I don't know what else you can do.''

--Odds and ends: Dave Hansen, in his bid to become baseball's all-time career pinch hitter, struck out in his at-bat against Arizona closer Byung-Hyun Kim in the ninth. Hansen is tied with Manny Mota with 106 career pinch hits. ... The last time Tracy was ejected from a game was Aug. 22, 2001 at Florida.

DODGERS vs. ARIZONA

Time: 5:05 p.m., Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: ESPN; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Arizona RH Miguel Batista (4-5, 4.85 ERA) allowed just two runs as he beat the Yankees on June 12, his last victory. Batista is 4-2 with a 3.53 ERA against the Dodgers. LH Kazuhisa Ishii (11-5, 3.58) hopes to benefit from the All-Star break rest. He has lost his past three starts after starting the season 10-1. He last won June 19.

- Jill Painter

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DODGERS vs. ARIZONA (see text)