DREIFORT INJURED AS GAME SLIPS BY : MONTREAL 10, DODGERS 7.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

With everything that went wrong this season, the Dodgers might have lost their mental health, but physically, among the regulars, they remained healthy.

Then right-hander Darren Dreifort left his start mid-batter in the fifth inning Wednesday night with tightness in his pitching shoulder. He will be evaluated today and his status for his next start is uncertain.

``He's fine,'' said Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone, who was on the phone before Dreifort reached the top step of the dugout. ``It's day to day, but we believe with an off day (today). . . he'll be able to make his next start.

``We'll see how he feels. We're not going to risk the future of one of our starters in the last two weeks of the season.''

For the diehards, the Montreal Expos scored seven times in the sixth and beat the Dodgers 10-7 at Dodger Stadium for the second straight night.

Mark Grudzielanek left the game after the sixth inning after being hit on the right wrist by an Anthony Telford pitch. It's the same hand Grudzielanek broke in June by punching a wall. He's listed as day to day.

Clearly, though, making sure Dreifort didn't incur a serious injury was the Dodgers' top priority.

After a lengthy discussion with manager Davey Johnson and trainer Charlie Strasser, Dreifort left after 63 pitches. There was a runner on first and an 0-1 count to Trace Coquillette.

``He was a little stiff coming off his last start, but when he threw on the side he felt better,'' Johnson said. ``I didn't like the way he was acting out there. He wanted to finish. If he has any problems, I'll shut him down.''

Dreifort's in the midst of his best season as a professional. He was in the midst of his best stretch since converting to a starter last season, but Malone hypothesized that was part of the problem. Dreifort, 27, is also approaching a career-high in innings pitched and has averaged better than 7-2/3 innings in his last five starts.

``It could be just fatigue,'' Malone said. ``He's pitched a lot lately. He's been going eight or nine innings in his starts. He's not used to that. I'm sure it's just that his shoulder is a little tired.''

Excuse the Dodgers if they're quick to remove Dreifort when he feels the slightest bit of discomfort, but they have good reason. Anything pertaining to his pitching arm is going to be closely scrutinized.

Dreifort missed the 1995 season after having reconstructive surgery to repair a torn medial collateral ligament in his right elbow. He pitched a career-high 180 innings last season, which is was more innings then he amassed in his previous three major-league seasons. But Dreifort didn't pitch after a Sept. 4 start against San Francisco because of soreness in his right shoulder.

After allowing one run in four-plus innings against the Expos, Dreifort's inning total was 178-2/3. He's made a career-high 29 starts. He was 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA in his last five starts.

``There's no comparison,'' Dreifort said about the injury. ``That one, it was tough to get loose and tough to throw. It's completely different. I don't think this is going to be a problem. I don't think it's any big deal.''

This has been a breakout season for Dreifort. The right-hander is 13-13 and with one more victory will match his career-win total entering the season. And though his 4.79 ERA doesn't reflect it, Dreifort has pitched well lately, Johnson said Dreifort will return to the rotation next year.

``It's tight,'' Dreifort said. ``It was pretty much the same as last game and it got progressively better.''

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PHOTO Montreal's Vladimir Guerrero steals second as Mark Grudzielanek watches the throw get past him.

E.J. Flynn/Associated Press