GROUP EFFORT DOES IT BROWN, BATS WORK TOGETHER FOR DODGERS DODGERS 5, CINCINNATI 2.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Now this is how the Dodgers envisioned things: a solid pitching performance coupled with just enough offense to win.

The Dodgers always have had the pitching, but they have struggled with the other part all season long. But Tuesday, Kevin Brown struck out nine and the offense did its part in a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in front of 37,744 at Dodger Stadium.

Interim hitting coach George Hendrick made his debut after Jack Clark was fired Sunday and the change paid off, at least for one game.

With the exception of allowing a two-run triple in the third inning, Brown was dominant. He struck out four consecutive batters at one point to retire nine in a row from the third through the sixth innings.

Brown, who started the season 10-1 and made the All-Star team, won for the first time since June 17 and improved to 11-5 with the league's lowest ERA (2.13).

When the Dodgers are scoring runs, they can get the ball to Eric Gagne in the late innings, something they've failed to do recently. On Tuesday, he pitched in a save situation for the first time since July 27 and just the second time in the past 12 games.

He earned his 36th save in as many opportunities and has 44 consecutive dating back to last season.

When the Dodgers had their 10-game win streak in the first half, they weren't blowing out teams, averaging four runs a game. They had five against the Reds, and that was more than enough. The Dodgers had only seven hits but manufactured runs and even executed a double steal.

In the third inning, a run-scoring double by Cesar Izturis scored Alex Cora, who led off with a double to right field, cutting the lead to 2-1. Cora later hit a solo home run to right off Cincinnati starter Danny Graves.

Graves, who has lost 12 games this year, gave up three runs in the fifth inning. He walked Dave Roberts and Izturis, and Shawn Green doubled to right, scoring two. It was Green's 38th double of the season, tying him with St. Louis' Albert Pujols for most in the National League. Green needs just seven more to match his career high of 45 doubles in 1999, with Toronto.

Cincinnati traded just about every player and the kitchen sink before last week's deadline and still scored twice in the third inning to take an early lead. Sean Casey tripled home both runs on a ball left fielder Jeromy Burnitz wasn't able to corral.

Casey's hit rolled onto the warning track in foul territory in left field and ricocheted off the wall. Burnitz stumbled while trying to pick it up, and when he reached down his glove came off, forcing him to run after the ball bare-handed.

Robin Ventura made his debut at Dodger Stadium, and his first play was an error fielding a ball at third base. He later redeemed himself with a single in the second inning.

Ron Coomer, activated Tuesday off the disabled list, had a pinch-hit single in the seventh inning.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Second baseman Alex Cora doubled and hit a home run Tuesday against Cincinnati starter Danny Graves. The Dodgers' won 5-2 for their second victory in a row.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer