DODGERS STATUS REPORT: IT'S BOUND TO BE BETTER DODGERS HOPING FOR SMOOTHER 2ND HALF.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

With little maneuverability for a meaningful trade because of high- priced contracts and few prospects, the Dodgers are counting on strong second halves from players already in place to remain in contention for the playoffs.

And when you consider the lack of production from third baseman Adrian Beltre and first baseman Eric Karros, and the fact Kevin Brown has made the same number of starts (13) as Eric Gagne, it doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

An improving injury situation is the beacon at which the Dodgers (48-40) are looking as they begin the second half of the season in Oakland today 3 1/2 games behind Arizona in the National League West. L.A. trails Atlanta by 1 1/2 games for the wild card.

``We have not played our best baseball yet,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``I think the best of Adrian Beltre is yet to come. I think the best of Eric Karros is yet to come. Gary Sheffield has done a lot of positive things for this club up to this point of the season, but I've seen Gary Sheffield get very hot and pick a club up and carry it.''

That hasn't happened yet, either. Still, Tracy and the Dodgers have room for optimism.

Beltre is healthy, swinging the bat more consistently, and his power is showing signs of returning. He batted .242 with seven homers and 24 RBI since being activated May 12, statistics close to 2000, when he batted .251 with eight homers and 38 RBI before the All-Star break. The Dodgers are hopeful he's about to show his post-All-Star form of 2000, when he batted .331 with 12 homers and 47 RBI.

Karros' back is better and he's able to protect the outside of the plate. He appeared hampered through much of the first half, though he says he was fine because he was in the lineup. But Karros (eight HRs and 36 RBI) traditionally hits 30 homers and drives in 100 runs per season - he's done it five of the past six years - and a second half at that pace should greatly increase the Dodgers' offense.

Sheffield battled through a torn ligament in his left index finger and batted .286 with 18 homers and 44 RBI in the first half, but he hasn't gotten on one his offensive rolls. Such production should take pressure off a pitching staff that won't have Darren Dreifort or Andy Ashby.

``A lot of guys had slow starts, and the first half is over so they can get that behind them,'' Dodgers second baseman Mark Grudzielanek said. ``We understand what's at stake in the second half, and I think a lot of people will come out and play well. Those things happen. You have bad years, you have bad halves. Those guys are capable of putting up big numbers and haven't done it, so there's no question it's a good thing to look for. With E.K. and Beltre and the kind of potential they have, it's one of those things that's going to be very positive to help this club be where it needs to be.''

Though Brown isn't completely healthy, the club believes his 1-1 mark with a 4.96 ERA over his last three starts is a result of his arm strength not having fully returned. Tracy also is looking to the development of right-hander Terry Adams as a starter. Adams is 2-0 in seven starts, but the Dodgers believe his learning curve is at its infancy. He pitched seven innings and allowed one run on three hits Saturday against Seattle, impressing upon everyone he could be the third starter to complement Brown and Chan Ho Park in the rotation.

Tracy has changed the rotation so right-hander Luke Prokopec has had extra time for a blister to heal. Tracy said Prokopec was fitted with a ``ceramic'' nail to protect the blister, which bothered Prokopec in his last three starts. There's optimism Gagne can have success based on his aggressive approach last Wednesday, when he threw six shutout innings against San Francisco.

By starting the season's second half with a rotation of Adams, Park, Prokopec, Brown and Gagne, it allows each extra time to recover from injury or fatigue.

``I think the interesting thing will be how Terry Adams continues in his development as a starter,'' Tracy said. ``I think what we're doing as far as the two young kids (Prokopec and Gagne) are concerned is the right thing to do, and I think it's going to help them out as far as the rest they're going to get.''

Long-term deals with no-trade clauses involving a number of players - including Sheffield, Brown and Karros - and a lack of prospects above the Single-A level should make the Dodgers nearly inactive come the July 31 nonwaiver deadline.

Scouts have been dispatched to see Colorado right-hander Pedro Astacio and shortstop Neifi Perez, and San Diego lefty Sterling Hitchcock, but teams are asking for either Prokopec or Gagne in return.

``You know how I feel about pitching,'' Dodgers interim general manager Dave Wallace said. ``That's how you build an organization, with pitching.''

Notes: Even at an optional off-day workout, the Dodgers couldn't avoid injury. Infielder Hiram Bocachica was carried off the field Wednesday after injuring his right ankle fielding a ground ball.

He could be headed for the 15-day disabled list.

``We'll put a compression wrap on him and see how he's doing (today),'' Tracy said. ``He was just getting started, gingerly going after a ground ball and he was moving over and his foot gave way and rolled over on him.''

Bocachica, who filled in well when Grudzielanek was on the disabled list in June, is batting .246 with two homers and nine RBI.

DODGERS vs. OAKLAND

Time: 7:05 p.m., at Networks Associates Coliseum.

TV/Radio: Ch. 5; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: The second half doesn't start easily for the Dodgers as they face three Oakland pitchers who have thrown well lately. Dodgers RH Terry Adams (4-2, 4.97 ERA) is coming off a seven-inning, one-run outing against Seattle. It was his best of seven career starts. He'll face Athletics LH Mark Mulder (9-6, 3.77), who one-hit Arizona in his last start. Mulder had a perfect game entering the eighth inning in his last start. Friday - Dodgers RH Chan Ho Park (8-5, 2.80) vs. Athletics RH Tim Hudson (9-5, 3.02); Saturday - Dodgers RH Luke Prokopec (6-4, 4.18) vs. Athletics LH Barry Zito (5-6, 4.75).

- Brian Dohn

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