LOCAL WATCH: FINDING THE GROOVE AFTER SHAKY START, GIANTS' ORTIZ MAY BE ON TRACK AGAIN.

Byline: Heather Gripp  Staff Writer

Forget the first half.

That's what Russ Ortiz is trying to do, and, so far, he's been successful.

The San Francisco Giants right-hander enters today's start against the Dodgers with a 5-8 record and 6.29 ERA, but learning to be more aggressive and get ahead in counts early is helping Ortiz return to the type of pitcher who earned a team-high 18 wins last year in his first full major-league season.

Ortiz is undefeated in three July appearances. He entered the month having given up 22 home runs, but hasn't allowed one since. He has one walk in each of his past two games and his ERA is steadily declining as his team has climbed into second place in the National League West.

``The last three or four outings, it's been real positive,'' said Ortiz, who graduated from Montclair Prep of Van Nuys. ``After the first half was over, I put it behind me. The second half is where we're gonna continue to gain ground, so I'm trying to put the past behind me and trying to keep moving forward. So far, I've been throwing the ball a lot better and I've been real happy with the way I've thrown the last few times out.''

Ortiz's biggest improvement is getting ahead in counts. Even though he said his control is much better than a year ago - he led the league with 125 walks and tied for third with 13 wild pitches last season - he believes fewer borderline pitches are being called in his favor, which left him behind early, throwing a steady dose of fastballs and trying to be too perfect.

``I'm taking more chances the first couple pitches and getting those over for strikes,'' said Ortiz, who finds an effective combination with his overhand curve and a fastball in the low 90s.

``I'm making quality pitches early in the count and getting ahead, so now I'm able to do what I want and go by the plan the catcher and I have mapped out. It's a lot easier to stay with that plan when you're ahead. When you're behind, you've gotta think of another way to get guys out. Right now, I've just been getting ahead and that's just been a big, huge difference.''

Another big difference is his performance in clutch situations.

``Last year, I was wild and I got into trouble, but I made the big pitches when I needed to,'' Ortiz said. ``This year, the first half, I just didn't make the pitches. For what reason, it's hard to say. I'm not thinking about that anymore.''

Pitching in pressure situations was nothing new for Ortiz, 26, who thrived as a reliever until a few years ago. After recording 48 saves with a 1.39 ERA in his first 90 professional appearances, Ortiz was converted to a starter in 1997. It was then he said he realized how to be a true pitcher instead of ``just throwing it up there saying, Here, hit it.' ''

He made his major-league debut a year later and emerged as the staff ace last season. Ortiz is just the ninth right-hander and 18th Giant overall to win 18 games since the club moved to San Francisco in 1958.

``He's getting back to being the pitcher we counted on last year,'' Giants manager Dusty Baker said. ``He's done well his last few games.''

ORTIZ FILE

Name: Russ Ortiz

Team: San Francisco Giants

Position: Pitcher

Age: 26

Local tie: Montclair Prep, Van Nuys

Career highlights: Led the Giants with an 18-9 record and 3.82 ERA in 1999, his first full season in the major leagues. The 18 wins were the most by a Giants right-hander since 1993. . . . Named Rolaids Relief Man of Year for the Northwest League in 1995. . . . Helped Oklahoma to the 1994 College World Series title. . . . Giants' fourth pick in the 1995 draft.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo: Giants pitcher Russ Ortiz believes he is starting to find his form after a so-so start this season.

Thearon Henderson/Associated Press

Box: Ortiz file (see text)