DODGERS NOTEBOOK : NIXON CONTRIBUTES WITH TWO BIG CATCHES.

Byline: Kevin Acee Daily News Staff Writer

After Dodgers center fielder Otis Nixon robbed Montreal's David Segui of a home run in the second inning, he saw Segui staring him down. And every time Nixon looked at Segui after robbing him again in the fourth, Segui was glaring at him.

``I just looked away,'' Nixon said. ``He's too big for me to be messing with.''

It isn't the first time Nixon has ticked off somebody that way.

He once robbed Pittsburgh's Andy Van Slyke of a home run at old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, where the walls dwarfed those at Dodger Stadium. In Atlanta, they still refer to the play as ``The Catch.''

Van Slyke doesn't refer to it.

``He doesn't talk to me to this day,'' Nixon said, smiling.

That's OK. Nixon made plenty of friends Thursday. After both of his catches, Dodgers starter Ismael Valdes went to him in the dugout to congratulate (and thank) him. Nixon also received two small standing ovations from the crowd.

``Since my bat isn't rolling yet, anything I can do to come over and be an asset is what I want to do,'' said Nixon, who is 1 for 8 at the plate.

Another setback: Brett Butler did not start Thursday due to a ``tweaked'' left wrist, which he hurt in his final at-bat Tuesday. Butler said he will be able to start today, though manager Bill Russell said earlier in the week Roger Cedeno will likely start against left-handed Mike Remlinger.

Rehab: Outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, on the disabled list since Aug. 2 with a fractured distal humurus (elbow), will begin a rehabilitation assignment tonight with Single-A San Bernardino.

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Photo: Montreal's David Segui was twice robbed of home runs Thursday by Dodgers outfielder Otis Nixon.

Associated Press