DODGERS SWING, BUT THEY MISS AGAIN NEW YORK 3, DODGERS 0.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Andy Ashby found the early-inning rhythm and consistency that had eluded him lately.

Now, if someone can find the Dodgers offense, that would be something.

Unproductive when healthy, a no-hit type of lineup that was missing injured outfielders Dave Roberts and Brian Jordan, and a resting Eric Karros, was backing up Ashby.

It was also borderline unfair the way Mets starter Pedro Astacio toyed with his former team, allowing two hits and striking out nine for his 11th career shutout as the Mets beat the Dodgers 3-0 Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

It was Astacio's first career two-hitter and the fewest hits the hapless Dodgers lineup has produced this season. Astacio (6-2) has five career three-hitters.

The punchless Dodgers offense was shut out for a league-leading seventh time. It was the first time the Dodgers were shut out in seven games, their second-longest string of the season.

Another former Dodger, outfielder Roger Cedeno, had a double and home run for the Mets. The Dodgers have six in their last 21 games.

Roberts could return today, but Jordan's health is an issue. First, it was his ailing left knee. Now it is his aching back.

Jordan strained his lower back fielding Timo Perez's base hit down the left-field line in the 11th inning of Monday's game against the Mets. Jordan had to leave the game after the halnning and wasn't available for Tuesday's game.

It's the third game Jordan missed due to injury and he was unsure whether he could play today.

``I'm hopeful, but I know they're not going to let me play until I'm healthy,'' Jordan said. ``They need me for the long haul, not the next two days or however long it takes.''

Jordan said he didn't believe the back injury was enough to send him to the disabled list but said the rubbery warning track, installed before the 2000 season around the stadium, might have played a part in the injury because he planted hard before turning quickly to throw the ball into second base.

``That rubber (stinks),'' Jordan said. ``My knee was hurting. That problem was my back. I backhanded, had to plant. It was one of those quick moves.''

Jordan's unavailability, along with center fielder Dave Roberts' still-sore right quadriceps, forced manager Jim Tracy to scatter his lineup. Hiram Bocachica made his first career start in center field and catcher Paul Lo Duca started in left field. Lo Duca used one of infielder's Dave Hansen's gloves for his 14th career appearance in the outfield.

It made no difference to Astacio, who walked two and faced two batters over the minimum.

Bocachica had the Dodgers' first hit, a fourth-inning leadoff double down the left-field line, but he was stranded at second. Cesar Izturis singled to left with one out in the sixth, but he was thrown out trying to steal, the fifth time in six tries he was caught.

While Ashby's pitching was on, his throwing lacked early. The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Perez singled and scored when Ashby fielded Roberto Alomar's dribbler but threw over Hansen's head at first.

Alomar led off the fourth inning with a single and moved to third on Mo Vaughn's single in front of Lo Duca. Edgardo Alfonzo's slow-rolling base hit along the first-base line allowed Alomar to score and gave the Mets a 2-0 lead.

Ashby (2-4) allowed six hits and two runs, one earned, in six innings.

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Photo:

(color) Dodgers third baseman Adrian Beltre applies tag on Roberto Alomar of the Mets in the first inning Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Crista Niles/Associated Press