DODGERS NOTEBOOK : PADRES HAVE GRABBED DODGERS' ATTENTION.

Scoreboard-watching is supposed to be confined to the pennant crunches of September, but a couple of Dodgers regulars admit that the temptation has been great lately to sneak a peek at the surprising San Diego Padres, who have led the National League West since the fourth day of the season.

``Our thing is, we've got to go play,'' said center fielder Brett Butler, ``but, sure, you watch a little bit. Especially when they have guys like (Rickey) Henderson and (Steve) Finley not hitting the ball the way they're supposed to and they're still winning. It makes you stop and think a little bit.''

The Dodgers have been stuck at 4-1/2 games behind the Padres for the past seven days, as the teams, uncannily, have matched one another win for win and loss for loss.

Because of a scheduling quirk, L.A. and San Diego must wait until the week before the All-Star break before they square off.

``Down the stretch, though,'' said second baseman Delino DeShields, ``we play a lot (seven times in the final 10 games), which is almost preferred.

``I think it's going to be a good race (in the NL West). I don't think anybody's going to run away with it. All the teams are pretty even, but San Diego is just playing well right now. . . .

``We haven't played the way we can yet. It's just a matter of who can play well the longest.''

On the mend: Progress reports on three ailing Dodgers:

First baseman Eric Karros, who has missed six straight games with a pulled muscle in his side, took batting practice on the field for the first time Sunday morning and was encouraged by his progress. ``I wasn't ready to play,'' he said. ``It's day to day - and see what I can tolerate.''

Shortstop Greg Gagne, who has missed two games with a pulled right hamstring, said, ``It was better than yesterday. It loosened up as I ran, but I didn't want to force it (by playing Sunday).'' Gagne said he is optimistic about the prospect of returning to the lineup against the Chicago Cubs tonight.

Pitcher Tom Candiotti, who retired after just one inning Saturday night because of a sore right knee, is scheduled to undergo a magnetic-resonance imaging test today.

Getting closer: Ramon Martinez, recovering from a groin strain, had his most vigorous pitching workout yet over the weekend, throwing for 13 minutes off a mound and, in his estimation, letting his pitches fly at 75-80 percent.

``He's striding on an incline - a good sign,'' said physical therapist Pat Screnar. ``He's not favoring it at all.''