HOT STREAK CONTINUES FOR DODGERS : DODGERS 8, MONTREAL 2.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer

It started slowly, this Bill Russell era.

The Dodgers' new manager lost his first four games, was a disappointing 17-19 as of Aug. 4 and the team showed no signs of consistency. L.A. was able to remain near the top of the National League West only because of the mediocre play of its rivals.

Then the Dodgers hit the road - and, it seems, their stride: They won six of nine on their most recent road trip and, on Friday night at Dodger Stadium, picked up where they left off, beating the Montreal Expos 8-2 before an announced 51,573 spectators.

With the victory, the Dodgers remain percentage points ahead of the Padres - who beat the Mets 15-10 in Mexico - and are a season-high eight games above .500 (65-57).

The Dodgers did it all on Friday.

You want hitting? They had 10 hits and, more important, scored at least five runs for the sixth time in seven games. Not coincidentally, they won those six games. Three-run homers by Eric Karros and pinch-hitter Chad Curtis did the bulk of the damage.

You want pitching? Pedro Astacio allowed only the two runs (nine hits) in seven innings to even his record at 7-7. Antonio Osuna finished up with two perfect innings.

You want fielding? The Dodgers turned five double plays, which killed any hopes the Expos had of building momentum against one of the hottest teams in baseball, and made no errors. The five double plays was one shy of the club record.

Add it up and Russell, now 24-22, was all smiles after the game.

``The players are gaining confidence every game,'' he said. ``And it's contagious. Everyone is a better player.''

The Dodgers jumped on Expos starter Ugueth Urbina right away.

In the first inning, leadoff hitter Todd Hollandsworth singled, Mike Piazza walked after Wayne Kirby flied out and Karros homered, his 26th of the season, to give the Dodgers three quick runs.

In the second, Tim Wallach opened up with a single, Astacio bounced a single into left field after Greg Gagne struck out and Hollandsworth singled up the middle to drive in Wallach and make it 4-0.

Urbina settled down, retiring nine straight batters after the initial four runs. It was too late for him, however: He didn't make it past the fifth inning and took the loss. He's 7-4.

Meanwhile, Astacio was as effective as usual.

The right-hander had been pitching particularly well of late. In his previous eight games (seven starts), he allowed just 15 earned runs. He was only 2-1 during that span, but it wasn't his fault: He didn't get support.

Nothing was different on Friday - except the help. Shane Andrews made it 4-1 with a solo homer in the sixth and three singles cut the lead to 4-2 in the seventh, but that was all the Expos could muster.

Astacio maintained that precarious advantage until the Dodgers gave him and themselves breathing room in the seventh.

With one out, pinch-hitter Billy Ashly walked, Hollandsworth singled and Curtis, hitting for Kirby, hit a three-run home run to left field off reliever Omar Daal to make it 7-2 and and all but assure Astacio of a precious victory. It was Curtis' second home run as a Dodger.

Russell was pleased for Astacio.

``He finally got one,'' Russell said. ``And it was well deserved. It was an outstanding performance.

`` . . . Pedro threw that sinker,'' he added, referring to the five double-play ground balls. ``He threw the right pitch at the right time. It shows you what kind of pitcher he is. He's really matured as a fine starting pitcher for us.''

Raul Mondesi hit a solo homer, his 18th, to lead off the eighth to complete the scoring and Osuna did the rest, retiring six straight batters to close out one of the Dodgers' best - and most encouraging - performances of the season.

Of course, the players are enjoying the team's sudden winning ways. Afterward, a boisterous clubhouse was filled with the sounds of success.

At the same time, no one is taking anything for granted, not the way their fortunes have fluctuated, not with the Padres in a virtual dead heat and Colorado close behind.

``There's still a lot of baseball left,'' Piazza said. ``We have to guard against getting ahead of this series, ahead of tomorrow night's game.

``We're just going to continue to try to play the kind of baseball we've played the last few games and see what happens.''

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Photo

Photo: Eric Karros gave the Dodgers an early lead when he b lasted a three-run home run in the first inning.

Associated Press