DODGERS NOTEBOOK: VALDES SHAKES OFF TRADE TALK.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

Ismael Valdes knows a lot about the major-league trading deadline and Randy Johnson. Saturday, he claimed he wasn't concerned with either.

Valdes (8-9), one of the Dodgers' most tradeable commodities, lost to Johnson 4-2 in front of 37,114 at Dodger Stadium but continued his most impressive stretch of the season. He pitched eight innings and tied a season high with 10 strikeouts.

``You never worry about the other pitcher no matter who he is,'' said Valdes, who has a 2.35 ERA in his last five starts. ``We didn't win today, but what else is new? I was concentrating on keeping us in the game and I did that.''

Valdes, who nearly was traded to Seattle for Johnson in December 1998 and again last summer, was more concerned with his lower back, which stiffened up in the seventh inning. Valdes, bothered by blisters and a bruised pitching hand earlier this season, remained in the game and will make his next start.

The first time the Mariners called, the Dodgers turned down the deal. The second time, Valdes' stock had dropped after a second straight mediocre season and Seattle wanted Darren Dreifort instead.

It was a lack of grit that scared away the Mariners. Now, Valdes seems to have plenty.

``When you go through things like that, it toughens you up,'' he said. ``You realize some things are out of your control and there is nothing you can do. I just want to pitch well for this team.''

Spin doctor: Dodgers manager Davey Johnson had some interesting answers for a couple of issues that came up in Saturday's game.

About the decision to bench Raul Mondesi, who was upset over mild trade rumors: ``I guess he saw something in the paper about him going some place and it left him a little mentally confused. So I gave him the day off.''

About center fielder Devon White, who drew boos for not reaching Jay Bell's bloop single in the fifth: ``He has been good for us. He plays day and night.'' White remains hot at the plate, finishing July with a .382 (34 for 89) average but has not started 26 games this season despite staying off the disabled list.

Quick hits: With a home run and two RBI on Saturday, Eric Karros finished July with 12 homers and 26 RBI. Karros, who has 25 homers and 67 RBI overall, finished three homers short of Pedro Guerrero's club record of 15 homers in June 1985. Karros, who beat Johnson last Sunday with a home run, now has 202 for his career, nine behind Steve Garvey for second on the Dodgers' all-time list. Ron Cey is first with 228. Karros' name came up in trade talks with several clubs, including Atlanta, but the Braves were unwilling to give up left-hander Bruce Chen.

ARIZONA vs. DODGERS

Time: 1:10 p.m., at Dodger Stadium.

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

Matchup: In the final game between the two clubs this season, Chan Ho Park (6-8, 6.07 ERA) faces right-hander Andy Benes (6-9, 5.30). Park, who has pitched better in the second half of the season, had a no decision Tuesday in his last start. He allowed three runs and 11 hits in six innings but was gone when the Dodgers lost 5-3 in the 10th. Benes started last Tuesday in San Diego but left after two innings when he was struck on the right arm by a line drive from pitcher Woody Williams. The Dodgers are 5-7 against the Diamondbacks this season.

- Matt McHale

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Box: ARIZONA vs. DODGERS (See text)