DODGERS RIDE MARQUIS PERFORMANCE GRISSOM'S BAT HELPS DAAL SHUT DOWN HOST PIRATES DODGERS 5, PITTSBURGH 1.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH - In an era when offseason workout programs are more rigorous than in-season, Dodgers outfielder Marquis Grissom made time for himself instead of concentrating on baseball. He rose early in the morning and drove 60 miles from his Atlanta home to his farm to ride a tractor all day.

It's done wonders for his mind, and bat. On the trading block much of the offseason, a re-committed Grissom is now playing himself into a more prominent role on the Dodgers.

Grissom homered and drove in two runs to aid another fantastic pitching performance from lefty Omar Daal as the Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 Wednesday at PNC Park. The Dodgers, winners of seven of their past nine, can sweep the three-game series today.

The victory also came after a team meeting in which manager Jim Tracy stressed the importance of executing the smaller points of the game.

``Last year, as far as the second half, the mental part was gone as far as wanting to play, wanting to win,'' Grissom said. ``All that stuff combined took its toll. You can't use that stuff as an excuse, so I went home in the offseason and didn't think about baseball. I think it's the best thing that ever happened. I came into spring training pretty much starting over, like a rookie.''

Oddly, Daal (3-0) turned in a masterful start in which he allowed one run in six innings, yet his reward is a trip back to the bullpen when Kevin Brown comes off the disabled list Tuesday.

Daal expected it, will deal with it, but he certainly would rather have a permanent home in another team's starting rotation than trudge back to the bullpen, particularly after winning his second consecutive start.

``At least I showed what I can do to everybody, and myself,'' said Daal, who allowed five hits, struck out six and walked one. ``It's out of my hands. Whatever they do, any time I get the ball I have to do my job.

Daal's job was made a bit easier thanks to Grissom, who provided a 1-0 lead with a first-inning homer off starter and loser Dave Williams (2-2). Grissom added a sacrifice fly in a three-run seventh inning as the Dodgers went ahead 5-1.

Grissom, who batted .175 after the All-Star break last season, is batting .324 and is tied for second on the club with 10 RBI. But he's done it in half the at-bats of the regulars because he remains in a loose platoon with Dave Roberts. It will force him to sit in the series finale as Roberts starts.

``My biggest thing is with the base of my batting stance,'' Grissom said. ``It allows me to use my hands more and spread out a little more and have a better base. Everything starts with the base.''

Tracy said Grissom's turnaround is directly related to a better, more disciplined, approach at hitting. He's walked three times in 41 plate appearances. Grissom, who cut down his leg kick, didn't walk for the third time last season until June 10.

``He's been swinging the bat well, hitting the ball hard and making it difficult for Tracy to sit him down,'' said Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros, who went 2 for 3 with an RBI. ``The way he's swinging the bat, you've got to find a place for him in the lineup.''

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(color) The Dodgers' Marquis Grissom trots around third base after hitting a solo home run in the first inning at PNC Park.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press