FREEWAY SERIES: A SWEEPING ROLE REVERSAL THE DODGERS COMPLETE THEIR FIRST-EVER SWEEP OF THE ANGELS DODGERS 7, ANGELS 0.

Byline: TONY JACKSON  Staff Writer

As the doors to the Dodgers clubhouse opened to the media after Sunday's game, a 7-0 victory over the Angels in front of a sellout crowd of 55,662 at Dodger Stadium, a larger-than-normal contingent of reporters crowded inside.

They were ready to ask anyone in uniform about the ramifications of sweeping a three- game series from a crosstown rival that had been systematically dominating the Dodgers for years.

But finding a player who remembered all that laughable one-sidedness, or who had even been around to experience it, proved problematic. And therein could lie the reason it finally ended.

En route to another American League West title last season, the Angels effectively toyed with the Dodgers, taking five of six games from them. At that point, it appeared an irreversible trend had been established. The Angels were newer, trendier and sexier. The Dodgers were old, tired and wounded, in terms of both their roster and their public image.

A year later, the Dodgers have overhauled their front office, their team and their fortunes. The Angels, meanwhile, are in danger of drowning in their own plethora of injuries and offensive ineptitude.

Talk about role reversal. In winning all three games, the Dodgers outscored the Angels 31-7.

``You do understand that the other teams you're playing at times are struggling, like the Angels,'' Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent said. ``You understand you may have the advantage that day, and you try not to miss that opportunity.''

The Dodgers had never swept a series from the Angels, home or away, in the nine- year history of the rivalry. But few of the current Dodgers carried the emotional baggage of knowing that, a fact that couldn't have hurt the cause.

``I think that makes a difference,'' Dodgers manager Grady Little said. ``(But) it's monumental to be able to sweep any series in the major leagues, no matter who you're playing. That's what makes this game so great. Things happen, and every year is new.''

After running the table, the sizzling Dodgers have won 12of their past 15 games. The sputtering Angels, meanwhile, have dropped seven of eight and 17 of 22, a problem that could hardly be blamed on the Dodgers.

``It isn't important who (we're playing),'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``We need to get our ship right. We need to play our game, and that's our challenge. We're going to get chewed up if we're not playing our game.''

Chewed up and, as was the case this weekend, spat out.

The Dodgers (24-20) rode seven strong innings by Derek Lowe and two more by Jonathan Broxton to their second shutout win of the season. They broke the Angels' backs in the first inning, scoring five runs off alleged staff ace Ervin Santana on a double by Nomar Garciaparra, a single by Willy Aybar and a three-run homer by Andre Ethier.

Ethier, whom the Dodgers acquired from Oakland in the Milton Bradley trade and whom they recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on May 2, went 7 for 13 with six RBIs in the series -- including 5 for 5 Friday night -- all with his father watching from the stands.

``It was his first time at Dodger Stadium,'' Ethier said. ``It was a little comforting for me and my wife. We have been all over the place the last couple of months with the trade, so it's nice to break up the regimen of field and hotel.''

Ethier raised his average to .306. Bradley, meanwhile, is in his fourth week on the disabled list for the A's with a sprained right knee and is hitting .246.

The Dodgers moved within a game of first place in the National League West. The last-place Angels (17-27) stayed 5 1/2 back in the AL West.

Lowe (2-3) muddled through a 30-pitch first inning, giving up a double to Orlando Cabrera, walking two batters and allowing a double steal. But after he escaped unscathed, he cruised, allowing just two hits the rest of the way.

Although it was clear from the outset that Santana (4-2) had nothing, he gutted through four innings and didn't allow another run after that disastrous first. The Dodgers put the game away with two more runs in the eighth on another double by Garciaparra, who went 7for13 with six RBIs in the series and is hitting .395 in May.

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CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) SEEING BLUE

Nomar Garciaparra and the Dodgers complete a three-game sweep of the Angels

Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer

(2) Kenny Lofton beats the throw to the plate on a double by Nomar Garciaparra to score the first run in the Dodgers' five-run first.

(3) Derek Lowe pitched seven shutout innings and allowed only three hits Sunday.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

Box:

MAY DAYS