DREIFORT DANDY IN 'DOME : DODGERS 3, HOUSTON 1.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

The Dodgers huddled around a television set in the tiny trainers room screaming at the San Diego Padres like they were in a pennant race. For the first time this season, they feel like they are.

Their 3-1 victory over Houston in front of 17,190 at the Astrodome on Wednesday ended their first winning road trip of the season. It also marked the first time they beat a winning team away from Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers had been working on their swagger since their mega May 15 trade but finally had proof that they can play with the league's better teams on the road. The Astros had won 25 of their past 35 games and lead the National League Central.

Now, the Dodgers are home for seven games, including four beginning tonight against last-place Cincinnati. San Diego still is 6-1/2 games in front of L.A. in the West, but with 13 of their next 16 at home, the Dodgers finally think they can make a move.

``When you win a World Series like we did in Florida, you realize something about the game that you never knew before,'' third baseman Bobby Bonilla said. ``It is such an incredible experience, there is no other reason to even show up. I feel we are building to that.''

The Dodgers built their 5-4 trip around right-hander Darren Dreifort, who won his third consecutive game. Todd Hollandsworth, who had 15 hits in the nine games, contributed two RBI against Astros starter Sean Bergman (4-3). Raul Mondesi had two hits, two runs and a pair of impressive catches in center. Shortstop Jose Vizcaino had two hits, including an RBI double in the seventh that gave the Dodgers an insurance run.

No one was more impressive than Dreifort, who has gone from sometime starter to the club's hottest pitcher behind Ramon Martinez. After pitching a shutout last Friday in Arizona, Dreifort (3-4) extended his scoreless streak to 14 innings before allowing a fluke run in the sixth.

In his three victories, Dreifort has a 1.24 ERA. All three have come with Charles Johnson behind the plate. But manager Bill Russell said Dreifort never lost his focus when he struggled earlier this season.

``He is the most confident guy on the staff,'' Russell said. ``And the thing is he's always been.''

But Johnson has helped Dreifort blend his 97 mph fastball and wicked sinker into a winning combination. The two were teammates on the 1992 Olympic team and they seem like they've been together forever.

``This has been great,'' Dreifort said. ``We have played together, but the key to this is that the guy is such a great catcher. He makes you better.''

Dreifort's only mistake came in his sixth with Brad Ausmus on third, Craig Biggio at first and two outs. Dreifort thought Johnson called a pitchout and sailed a pitch to Bill Spiers to the backstop. Ausmus raced home and scored when Johnson's throw got away from Dreifort at the plate,

Johnson, who did not commit an error last season, was charged with his third although Dreifort dropped the ball. More important, Biggio was standing on third. But Dreifort came back to strike out Spiers to end the threat.

``That play was totally my fault,'' Dreifort said. ``I just had a brain cramp.''

Dreifort left after walking Richard Hidalgo with one out in the seventh, but the Astros never got any closer. Mark Guthrie, Antonio Osuna and Scott Radinsky (10th save) combined for three innings of scoreless relief.

``You saw everything we can do tonight,'' Dreifort said. ``Mondy has been playing center like he's been there his whole life and he's been there less than two weeks. The bullpen bailed us out the way they have all season.''

But for Dreifort the difference might have been when Bonilla walked to the mound from third base in the sixth. Bonilla sensed Dreifort might have been a little rattled and got him to relax.

``It was so reassuring hearing that voice telling me to calm down,'' Dreifort said.

``That's why we are here,'' Bonilla said.

NEW BATTERY

Wednesday's victory was Darren Dreifort's third straight since catcher Charles Johnson joined the Dodgers. Here's a comparison of Dreifort's numbers prior to and after Johnson's arrival:

Before May 16 (4.61 ERA)

IP H ER BB KHR 

11 games, 5 starts 41 47 21 5 39 3

After May 16: (1.25 ERA)

Opp. Result IP H ER BB K HR

Montreal W, 9-4 6-2/3 4 2 5 3 0

Arizona W, 5-0 9 6 0 0 6 0

Houston W, 3-0 6 5 1 1 6 0

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

PHOTO (1--Color) Darren Dreifort was a stalwart on road trip.

(2) Jose Vizcaino of the Dodgers lands on Houston's Richard Hidalgo after throwing to first for a double play.

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

BOX: NEW BATTERY (see text)