DODGERS NOTEBOOK: WALL INCIDENT WILL COST GRUDZIELANEK.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

The fire that has been missing from most of the Dodgers this season will cost Mark Grudzielanek at least two weeks on the disabled list.

Grudzielanek was diagnosed Friday with a fracture in his right hand after punching a wall outside the Dodgers dugout during Tuesday's loss at Pittsburgh. His hand was placed in a cast, but he will remain with the team and expects to be ready when he is eligible to return.

``The doctor wanted the hand in a cast for three weeks and I talked him into two,'' Grudzielanek said. ``I played four innings after I did it and I feel I could play tomorrow, but the swelling is pretty bad. I will be ready.''

Grudzielanek said he was not trying to set an example for his teammates, who appeared particularly lethargic during the sweep by the Pirates.

``They play their way, I play my way,'' Grudzielanek said. ``But I am not going to stand up and talk about what other guys do. It isn't my business. I mean it is, but I've always felt it is better to lead by example.''

Grudzielanek actually was embarrassed by his emotional outburst, which came after grounding into his ninth double play this season. He said he thought the wall had some give, but quickly learned he was wrong and apologized to manager Davey Johnson.

``I really messed up,'' Grudzielanek said. ``Davey should be upset. I play with a lot of emotion, but these things just can't happen. You have to learn how to draw the line. You are hurting the team when you do something like that.''

Grudzielanek will be replaced at shortstop by Jose Vizcaino, who returned from the disabled list Friday after missing 14 games with a strained left hamstring. Outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, sidelined since May 27 with a torn muscle on his right side, finally was placed on the DL and Triple-A infielder Chance Sanford was called up from Albuquerque.

Sanford started at second base in place of Eric Young and led off. He struck out in his first major-league at-bat against the Angels' Omar Olivares, but then singled home two runs in the fourth.

Major-league debut: Sanford was told by manager Mike Scioscia after Thursday's game in Albuquerque that he was heading to Los Angeles. When he arrived, Sanford was met by Johnson, who told him he was in the starting lineup.

``This is a dream,'' said Sanford, signed as a minor-league free agent after six years in Pittsburgh. ``Down in Albuquerque we don't talk much about the big club because there really isn't any room up here. I was shocked when I got the call.''

First pick signs: Jason Repko, the Dodgers' top selection in Wednesday's amateur draft, worked out at Dodger Stadium on Friday after signing with the club. Repko, a high school shortstop from West Richland, Wash., is headed to the Dodgers' extended spring-training camp in Vero Beach, Fla., and will play at Great Falls, Mont., of the Pioneer (Rookie) League.

``The last few days have been incredible,'' said Repko, the 37th pick overall.

Quick hits: Left-hander Carlos Perez (2-6, 5.73), who beat Atlanta in his last start, will pitch Sunday in place of right-hander Ismael Valdes. Friday was Perez's day to pitch, but the Dodgers wanted to keep Kevin Brown and Chan Ho Park on their five-day schedule. Park will pitch today. . . . Although the crowd was less than capacity, the Dodgers passed the one million mark in attendance in 25 games, the quickest they've done it since 1995.

ANGELS vs. DODGERS

Time: 1:05 p.m., at Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Channel 11, KXTA-AM (1150), KLAC-AM (570), KWKW-AM (1330, Spanish).

Matchup: In the second of three games between the Dodgers and Angels, Chan Ho Park (4-3, 4.66 ERA) faces former Dodgers right-hander Tim Belcher (3-4, 7.08). Park was involved in a no-decision in his last start during Monday's 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh. In six innings, Park allowed five hits and three runs. On July 2, 1997, Park hit former Angel Tony Phillips, prompting a bench-clearing brawl at Anaheim Stadium. Belcher, who signed a two-year, $10.2 million contract during the winter, is 2-1 with a 3.62 ERA in his past four starts after a poor April.

- Matt McHale

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Box: ANGELS vs. DODGERS (See text)