DODGERS SAD SACKS AGAIN AGAINST REDS; RALLIES RUINED AFTER ASTACIO WOES CONTINUE : CINCINNATI 5 DODGERS 3.

Byline: Kevin Acee Daily News Staff Writer

This past Sunday in Cincinnati, Mike Remlinger held the Dodgers to a run on four hits in a complete-game victory, his first complete game in six years. In that game, the Dodgers bumbled in the field and stumbled on the bases to help the Reds to eight runs.

It was, as one Dodger said that day, a ``sad, pathetic'' ending to a 10-game road trip.

Speaking before Friday's game against Remlinger and the Reds at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers manager Bill Russell said, ``We're a different team since then.''

While early on Friday it appeared the Dodgers would prevent being hypnotized again by Remlinger, they ended up sleepwalking through another loss to the converted reliever. And one key Dodger continued to struggle more noticeably than the rest.

Dodgers starting pitcher Pedro Astacio lasted just four innings for the second straight game as the Dodgers lost 5-3 to the Reds to fall back to 2-1/2 games behind the San Francisco Giants.

``We were still in the game, but fundamentally we didn't play well at all,'' Dodgers manager Bill Russell said, referring to the 4-3 score about the time his team turned Little League on him. ``There were no errors on the board, but there were a lot of mistakes out there.''

Astacio, whose last start was that Sunday game in Cincinnati, mowed through the Reds in order and then was handed a 3-0 lead in Friday's first inning. It did appear this would be a much different game.

But Astacio lost it quickly. What he lost is anyone's guess, but he once again might be facing the question of whether he is pitching well enough to avoid a vacation from the crowded Dodgers starting rotation. After losing five straight starts in early 1995, Astacio was moved to the bullpen for the season's final three months.

Russell sounded genuinely uncertain about what to do now that Ramon Martinez is done rehabbing, Tom Candiotti is hot and Astacio is glaringly not.

``You look at who's pitching well and you go from there,'' Russell said, perhaps solving his quandary with that statement.

After going 4-0 with a 2.85 ERA in his previous seven starts, Astacio's ERA the past two games is 10.13. He was dressed early and gone by the time reporters entered the clubhouse postgame Friday, leaving pitching coach Dave Wallace to speak.

``I've got no complaints with the pitching,'' Wallace said, showing signs he is willing to acknowledge the strain his pitchers will not admit to feeling, having been backed by just 14 runs in the past seven games. ``If it comes down to pitching in that game tonight, we're in trouble.''

The rest of the Dodgers lost it more slowly than Astacio on Friday. But they definitely lost something - apparently interest.

After walking, rookie Adam Riggs was picked off first base for the first out of the fourth inning. Riggs was again the culprit in a rally-killing move in the sixth inning. With two outs and Riggs batting, Greg Gagne successfully stole second base, but Riggs was called out for catcher's interference.

The ultimate disgrace, though, was the seventh inning. After pinch-hitter Wayne Kirby drew a leadoff walk and Otis Nixon singled to give the Dodgers runners at first and second with none out. But Brett Butler followed this crowd-stirring rally by popping up a bunt weakly in front of the plate. Reds catcher Eddie Taubensee caught the ball and whipped it to second base to double up Kirby. Mike Piazza's grounder ended the inning.

The Reds got their first run on a double and a single in the second inning. They took the lead with three runs in the fourth, which Astacio would finish before being finished. Taubensee singled to center with one out. After another out, Astacio loaded the bases by allowing a single by Nunnally and walking Bret Boone. Remlinger - yes, Remlinger - then doubled down the right-field line to clear the bases.

The Dodgers offense, which with its first-inning surge suggested it might be emerging from its weeklong slump, meanwhile stacked up the zeros as Remlinger improved to 4-0 as a starter, a role he stepped into for good after injuries and trades pillaged the Reds rotation.

Otis Nixon's leadoff walk and consecutive hits by Piazza, Eric Karros, Raul Mondesi and Todd Zeile led to the three runs in the first. With the Reds bullpen already stirring, Greg Gagne struck out, Riggs was intentionally walked and Astacio struck out to leave the bases loaded. The Dodgers would not get another runner to second base until the seventh inning.

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