DODGERS NOTEBOOK : PEDRO ROOTS FOR RAMON - QUIETLY.

The sigh of relief heard emanating from the Montreal Expos' dugout on Tuesday came from a predictable source: pitcher Pedro Martinez, Ramon's younger brother.

Before the game between the Dodgers and Expos, with Ramon Martinez scheduled to make his first start in five weeks, a nervous Pedro offered some advice: ``Just be sure you're healthy before you go out there.''

Ramon's response? ``I'm fine.''

Actually, better than fine. Martinez, back from a torn groin muscle, gave up only five hits and one run in six innings and relievers Antonio Osuna and Todd Worrell finished out a 2-1 Dodgers victory.

No one was more impressed than little brother.

``I'm pretty happy, especially when it comes to his health,'' Martinez said before Wednesday's game. ``I'm kind of surprised he pitched as well as he did. I didn't expect him to throw so many strikes. (He had three walks.)

``He's a veteran, though. He knows what he's doing. And he works so hard.''

Of course, during the game Martinez couldn't openly express his delight at his brother's good fortune. After all, he is on the other team.

He sat quietly in the dugout. And enjoyed.

``Moises (Alou) and some of the guys give me a hard time,'' he said. ``They say, `If you're rooting for Ramon, you're rooting against the team.'

``They're joking. They just want to see how I react. Hey, he's my brother.''

Well and good: The next-day report on Ramon Martinez: a bit sore, a bit tired, very happy.

``The (groin) is a little tired,'' he said. ``I did my running (on Wednesday), though. So it feels pretty good. I'd say it's almost 100 percent.''

Martinez admitted he surprised himself somewhat but came in with confidence.

He said all he needed to regain his sharpness were the two minor-league games he pitched in because he threw the ball during much of his rehabilitation.

``There was only a week, right after the injury, I didn't throw,'' he said. ``After that, I played light catch, then I threw a little in the bullpen, then every day. I really never lost my strength.''

Punch line: The Dodgers had a special visitor to their clubhouse: Eric ``Butterbean'' Esch, the roly-poly boxer who somehow has stolen America's affections.

Several players seemed thrilled to meet him. However, the Bean was in awe.

``This is amazing. A year ago, I was working in a factory,'' said Butterbean, who worked in a mobile home factory in Jasper, Alabama, before his friends talked him into taking part in the ``Toughman'' competition.

Naturally, there were a lot of wisecracks.

Eric Karros walked up, put his arm around the big fella and yelled, ``Don't hit me, man. I've seen his act. I'm not stupid.''

Said Dave Hansen: ``I've got you on my Sega game. You kick my --- every time,'' referring to the Bean's fast-selling computer game.

And, of course, there was manager Tommy Lasorda, who looked Bean in the eye and said: ``Don't (mess) with me.''

Extra innings: Delino DeShields, who suffered a bad bruise when he fouled a ball off his right foot in Monday's game against Montreal, said he could play as early as today but is listed as day-to-day. He has missed the past two games. . . .

Left-handed reliever Scott Radinsky, who has a sore pitching elbow, also is listed as day-to-day, pitching coach Dave Wallace said.