DODGERS YANK ON RIVAL GIANTS : DODGERS 8, SAN FRANCISCO 5.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

Bobby Bonilla has seen a lot of Barry Bonds - as a one-time teammate and as a big-time fan.

Nothing surprises Bonilla about Bonds after watching him win four MVP Awards and carry the San Francisco Giants on his back for so long.

Not even the ninth-inning single in Friday's 8-5 Dodgers victory that gave Bonds the National League record by reaching base in 15 consecutive plate appearances.

``Best player in the game in my book,'' said Bonilla, the Dodgers third baseman who played four seasons with Bonds in Pittsburgh. ``You just put this up with all the other stuff he's done and I don't think it is close. It was great to watch, but it was better to win.''

Although the Dodgers are well out of the National League wild-card race, they still were playing the Giants, who are very much alive. And if they beat Orel Hershiser tonight, the Dodgers will have won four straight for the first time this season.

That's a string that has been much tougher to get than Bonds' record. With five singles, two doubles, two homers and six walks, Bonds broke former Dodger Pedro Guerrero's record of 14 set in 1985 and is one short of Ted Williams' major-league record set in 1957.

The Dodgers even brought in weary closer Jeff Shaw to face Bonds in the ninth. Left-hander Scott Radinsky was not available due to a sore elbow, and manager Glenn Hoffman didn't want to use rookie Sean Maloney against such a formidable hitter.

``Barry Bonds is a tough guy to face in that situation any day,'' Hoffman said. ``But the way he is hitting . . .''

Bonds singled up the middle, his fourth hit to go with two walks. But Shaw retired the last batter to get his 40th save and 17th with the Dodgers.

``I didn't know I broke it until (teammate Mark) Gardner told me after my last at-bat,'' Bonds said. ``I realized when I saw it on the scoreboard. It doesn't mean much to me. Now I know I'm one closer to the major-league record.''

It was a good victory for the Dodgers, who lost Raul Mondesi in the fifth inning with more stiffness in his lower back but saw Bonilla actually steal a base for the first time in a year. More importantly, they are spending the final three weeks trying to evaluate players for next season.

One is shortstop Mark Grudzielanek, who after 31 games with the Dodgers, finally hit a home run.

It paled in distance to one Charles Johnson hit in the sixth inning and it hardly compared to Bonds' record.

But Grudzielanek's three-run shot off Shawn Estes (7-9) was big for Dodgers starter Darren Dreifort (8-12). It helped build a 6-0 lead he didn't give back even though he allowed two-run homers to Ellis Burks and Armando Rios.

For Rios, who was called up Tuesday, it was his first major-league hit. For Dreifort, who allowed eight hits and four walks in seven innings, it was his second straight victory after going winless in six consecutive starts.

For the Giants, who are hoping Estes regains his 19-victory form from 1997, Grudzielanek's homer was damaging. After missing a month with a sore shoulder, Estes lasted just five innings, and his team dropped three games behind Chicago and New York in the NL wild-card race.

With no guarantees where many players will wind up after the season, Friday was proof there is pop in Grudzielanek's bat. Since he arrived from Montreal in a July 31 trade, Grudzielanek has been an excellent defensive shortstop, but he has only three extra-base hits. In 1996 with the Expos, he was lousy in the field but had 54 doubles.

The Dodgers have a dilemma. Opening Day shortstop Jose Vizcaino has not played since June 21 when he sprained his right ankle. He has two years and $6 million left on his contract.

Second baseman/leadoff hitter Eric Young, who has just six stolen bases in the second half after stealing 32 in the first half, has three years and $14 million left on his contract. Grudzielanek is making just $300,000 but is eligible for salary arbitration.

Young also played a big part Friday night, with three hits, including a two-run single off Estes in the second.

``I know a lot of things could happen this winter, but I really like it here and I hope I stay,'' Grudzielanek said. ``If I am here or somewhere else, I'll be OK. But I think I've shown them what I can do. This is another example.''

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Photo

PHOTO Dodgers shortstop Mark Grudzielanek can't reach a base hit by Ellis Burks.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press