DODGERS NOTEBOOK : GUTHRIE GIVING ALL BATTERS PROBLEMS.

Mark Guthrie of the Dodgers is bucking convention for left-handed relief pitchers.

In today's game, most teams keep a lefty around to face one or two left-handed sluggers late in a close game, then send the guy to a shower he probably doesn't even need. The embodiment of this is the St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Honeycutt, who has accumulated more appearances than innings pitched in each of the last six seasons.

Guthrie, who came to the Dodgers from Minnesota last July, is proving quite a bit hardier, capable of working his way through hitters from either side of the plate. He chewed up three innings in a 2-1 win over the Cardinals Monday night. Last week, he had outings of two innings and 1-1/3 innings in games against Pittsburgh.

``He's got some ammunition for the right-handers,'' pitching coach Dave Wallace said. ``He's got a good split-finger. He can paralyze guys in(side) with his fastball and use the split-finger away to get them out.''

Guthrie, who is 1-0 with a 1.24 ERA, has allowed only one run over his last 22-2/3 innings.

``When I was a starter,'' the pitcher said of his time with the Twins, ``I didn't fare too well against left-handers. My best pitch is the forkball, and it's not real effective against them. I've had to learn to use it against left-handers.''

That splitter is still proving much tougher against right-handed hitters. They are batting only .194 against Guthrie this season, while lefties are hitting him at a .250 pace.

Too fine: Chan Ho Park was pleased that the Dodgers could get a win out of his spot start Monday night, but he was distressed over the five walks he issued in as many innings.

``Sometimes, when I feel good, I try a corner, and I have good control,'' Park said. ``(Monday), my control wasn't as good. I missed a lot of first-pitch strikes.''

He rolled his eyes and said, ``Next time, I try the middle.''

Control has been a fleeting proposition for the South Korean pitcher. He leads the Dodgers with 39 walks allowed - this despite working only 55 innings.

Steady climb: Third baseman Mike Blowers' continuing adjustment to National League pitching is evident in the fact he's raised his batting average 45 points in four weeks, from .195 to .240 (entering Tuesday night's game).

Increased familiarity with the pitchers, Blowers said, ``definitely helps, because I like to go into a game with a game plan, have an idea. It's a lot tougher for me to go up for the first time against a guy and be successful.

``Pitchers have an advantage when I haven't seen them before. I think the more I see them, the more that evens out.''