DODGERS NOTEBOOK : VALDES IS SEEKING ANSWERS.

Once among the club's most consistent pitchers, Dodgers right-hander Ismael Valdes has allowed 10 earned runs in his last two starts, over 10-1/3 innings. Following Wednesday night's game, in which he gave up 11 hits in six innings, Valdes wondered if there was a flaw in his delivery that resulted in poor pitches, especially when he was ahead in the count.

Dave Wallace, the club's pitching coach, said Thursday that Valdes' mechanics are sound.

``He got behind and he didn't locate the ball,'' Wallace said. ``He's got as good a delivery as anybody in the league.

``He's real young and he doesn't yet possess the objectivity to look back on a game like that. This is all part of the learning process.''

Valdes has a career record of 6-7 in the final two months of the season, the last two of which have seen the Dodgers in pennant races. Valdes is 22.

``I don't think it's a pennant-race issue,'' Wallace said.

Valdes is due to throw in the bullpen before tonight's game, and the pair will sort things out through the workout.

``We'll exchange thoughts and views,'' Wallace said. ``These are the mental things young guys go through.''

His day of rest: Catcher Mike Piazza did not start Thursday night's game, though the club had two days off in the past 10 days, and has another off day on Monday. Still, Piazza played six consecutive days and will play today, when the Dodgers open a nine-game homestand with three against the Montreal Expos.

It is a fortunate coincidence that Piazza's day off fell on a start by Hideo Nomo, whose sharp-breaking forkballs can batter a catcher.

``You know I'm going to be catching every day down the stretch,'' Piazza said. ``So I have to get a day off when I can.''

Hall work postponed: Dodgers right-hander Darren Hall was to throw batting practice Thursday, his biggest rehabilitation step since elbow surgery in April. However, Cardinals groundskeepers told Hall and his coaches that he would not be allowed to use the mound, because it could not be regroomed in time for the game.

Those who were annoyed by the decision remembered that the Dodgers let Cardinals reliever Dennis Eckersley pitch a simulated game at Dodger Stadium, the last time the Cardinals were in Los Angeles. The mound was ready by game time.

Hall is scheduled to pitch batting practice today, when the Dodgers return home.

Role playing: Dodgers reliever Mark Guthrie, whose 2-2 record and 1.77 ERA in 50 appearances rates among the best in baseball, is due to become a free agent at the end of the season. His contract is for $870,000 this season. If he is not re-signed by the Dodgers, Guthrie intends to market himself as a left-handed starter and not as a reliever.

Guthrie, who will be 31 in September, rose through the Minnesota Twins system as a starter and started 41 games in his first three major-league seasons. He moved to the bullpen in 1992 and has made only two starts since, both in 1994.

Loaded with starters who will return next season, and a few not in the rotation who rate ahead of Guthrie (Chan Ho Park, Darren Dreifort), the Dodgers cannot make Guthrie a starter.

Also: Tom Lasorda, who retired as Dodgers manager on July 29, was honored by the St. Louis Cardinals in a pregame ceremony. Longtime broadcaster Jack Buck emceed. ``You have made someone deeply happy tonight,'' Lasorda told the crowd. ``I thank you.'' . . . Third baseman Tim Wallach, playing with a rib he cracked on July 31, was given Thursday night's game off.