FISH FRY DODGERS MARLINS GET EARLY JUMP IN ROUT OVER L.A. FLORIDA 15, DODGERS 4.

Byline: RICH HAMMOND  Staff Writer

Say this much about the Dodgers: Everything they do these days is extraordinary.

Dodgers victories of late have been remarkable in their frequency and drama, and even their loss Wednesday afternoon, just their second in their past 19 games, came in a grand fashion.

The Dodgers, whose 17-1 record since July 27 represented the hottest streak in franchise history since 1899, were battered early and often in the final game of a tremendous homestand.

Miguel Cabrera hit two home runs and drove in five runs to lead Florida to a 15-4 victory in front of 38,125 at Dodger Stadium.

``It's just one loss,'' shortstop Julio Lugo said. ``It doesn't count for no more than one and it doesn't matter if you lose by one (run) or 20. You're going to win some and you're going to lose some.''

Mark Hendrickson recorded only seven outs and allowed five runs in his worst start since he joined the Dodgers, and the bullpen and defense, which committed three errors, didn't help the cause, either.

``You can put your finger on why you get your brains beat out,'' manager Grady Little said. ``We made some bad pitches. In the month of August, we've made a lot of good pitches but we know that these kind of things are going to happen. ... We'll just put it behind us and go forward.''

In terms of runs allowed and run differential, it was the Dodgers' worst loss of the season, but the significance of the game won't truly be known for another few days.

It will be remembered either as a blip, since the Dodgers still hold the lead in the National League West, or perhaps as the harbinger of another downward spike in the Dodgers' roller-coaster season. After a off day, the Dodgers go on the road for a crucial NL West swing at San Francisco, San Diego and Arizona.

The Dodgers took their beating in stride, other than Kenny Lofton, who scowled at reporters who dared to suggest that an 11-run loss after a 17-1 streak might be of interest. Otherwise, the Dodgers shrugged. A team that had gained 11 games in the division standings in the previous 20 days can afford to shrug.

``Things like this happen,'' first baseman Nomar Garciaparra said. ``They come out and beat us up. We'll take our lumps and get back on the horse in a couple days. Guys know that days like this are going to happen. Nobody is going to go crazy about it. We'll just keep coming to work.''

The game seemed to be a lost cause from the beginning. Less than 15 minutes into the game, the Marlins led 4-0 and Dodgers fans were booing Hendrickson. The Dodgers twice rallied, to close to within 4-2 after the first inning and 7-4 after the fourth, but Florida's five-run sixth inning ended all hope.

Hendrickson (1-5), who has been mediocre at best since being acquired June 27 from Tampa Bay, allowed five runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings, walked three and struck out one.

Some uncertainty remains about the Dodgers' starting pitchers, but after the game Little seemed to indicate Hendrickson would stay in the rotation.

``He's kept us in a lot of games,'' Little said. ``We're just going to put this one behind us.''

Hendrickson has a 5.19 ERA in nine starts with the Dodgers. During the 18-game streak, L.A. starters had a cumulative ERA of 2.55.

Florida's big hits came from Cody Ross, who hit a bases-loaded double in the first for a 3-0 lead, and Cabrera, who hit a two-run homer in the fourth, for a 7-2 lead, and a third-run homer in the sixth for a 10-2 lead. Cabrera, 0 for 8 in the series' first two games, also singled and scored in the third.

The Marlins had been outscored by the Dodgers 31-9 in the teams' first five meetings this season, all Dodgers victories, which meant that the victors remained humble Wednesday.

``I think (the Dodgers) felt like they could win every game no matter what the deficit is,'' manager Joe Girardi said. ``They're hot, and I don't think this is a game that necessarily cools them off.''

Jeff Kent went 2 for 3 with two doubles and three RBI for the Dodgers but Marlins rookie starter Josh Johnson (11-6) allowed four runs in six innings for the win.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Mark Hendrickson allowed five runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings as the Dodgers were routed against Florida.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

(2) Nomar Garciaparra gets the out at first, beating Florida's Hanley Ramirez, one of the few things that went right for the Dodgers.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer