MADDUX MAKES IT A SHORT NIGHT CUBS STARTER STYMIES DODGERS CHICAGO 4, DODGERS 1.

Byline: VINCENT BONSIGNORE Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES - Like the rest of his Dodger teammates, Jason Repko insists he had a plan when he stepped into the batter's box against Chicago Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux om Monday.

At least I thought I did,'' Repko said.

But as Maddux showed for the 321st time in his illustrious, soon-to-be Hall of Fame career while shutting down the Dodgers 4-1 in front of 33,511 at Dodger Stadium, he's got an answer for pretty much every plan.

Maddux was simply masterful Monday, limiting the Dodgers to just three hits over eight innings and surrendering just an RBI double to Bill Mueller in the fifth inning for the Dodgers' only run.

Other than that, he was basically perfect, going three up, three down in six of his eight innings while collecting six strikeouts in a tidy 86 pitches.

When Maddux left the mound to end the eighth inning, the game wasn't even two hours old.

That performance doesn't need to be commented on too much,'' Dodgers manager Grady Little said. It pretty much speaks for itself.''

Repko, who made a pinch-hit appearance in the sixth inning, had spent the previous five innings watching Maddux work his magic from his seat in the Dodgers 'dugout. Everytime another teammate walked back to the bench after making out, Repko pulled him aside to pick his brain, hopeful of culling even the tiniest sliver of insight.

By the time he walked up to bat - his first ever against Maddux - Repko felt he had a sound plan of attack: Look for something away, then go the other way with it.

Then Maddux proceeded to strike Repko out looking.

I just sat back on the bench and thought: OK, now I know why this guy is a Hall of Famer,'' Repko said.

More importantly, he got an up close view of what makes Maddux so good.

I've never seen a sinker break as hard as the one he threw me'' Repko said, shaking his head in amazement just thinking about called third strike.

What made it even more remarkable was how Maddux set Repko up with a 76-mile an hour curve ball the pitch before.

Because now I'm really thinking,'' Repko said. And on the next pitch, I'm looking at the ball coming out of his hand and it's a foot out of the strike zone. So in my mind, I''ve already made the decision not to swing at it. Then it starts this crazy break, and by the time I'm realizing what happened it's too late. He's got me. Boom, it breaks on the corner for a strike. Amazing.''

Not to bad for a pitcher making his first start since turning 40-years old last Friday.

You just tip your cap to him,'' Dodgers starter Bret Tomko said. He's been doing that to a lot of people for a lot of years. As an opposing pitcher you know you can't afford to make any mistakes against him.''

Tomko went six innings, giving up four runs on eight hits and two strikeouts. He surrendered a first-inning home run to Todd Walker, then gave up three runs in the fifth to make it 4-0. Maddux even figured in on that, blooping a single to center to score Matthew Murton.

Maddux caught a break facing a Dodgers lineup missing slugger Jeff Kent, who was still feeling the affects of getting beaned in the head by a pitch from Brad Hennessey of the Giants on Sunday. Without Kent, the Dodgers' middle of the order consisted of Jose Cruz Jr., Drew and Olmedo Saenz, who have combined for a total of five home runs through the first 14 games.

That's hardly the middle of a batting order you feel comfortable running out against an average pitcher, let alone a future Hall of Farmer like Maddux.

Needless to say, the four-time Cy Young award winner went right at the Dodgers' wounded lineup, and as usual he wasn't overpowering.

Just masterful by mixing speeds, spotting his pitchers perfectly and keeping the Dodgers off balance with his various breaking balls.

He just lulls you to sleep making easy out after easy out,'' Dodger manager Grady Little said. He's made a pretty good living doing that exact same thing.''

And even when the Dodgers managed to reach base, Maddux ended up winning the battle. That's what happened in the fourth when Rafael Furcal led off with a single to centerfield, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kenny Lofton.

With the Cubs leading 1-0 and Cruz at the plate, Furcal tried to steal third as Maddux went into his pitch. But Maddux stunned Furcal by spinning backward and throwing to shortstop Ronny Cedeno to catch Furcal in a run down. Furcal was eventually tagged out and Cruz flied out to center to end the inning.

vincent.bonsignore(at)dailynews.com

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CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Chicago Cubs's Greg Maddux attempts a bunt in the third inning. It was his work on the mound that hurt the Dodgers.

(2 -- color) Dodgers outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. hits the wall after making the catch on a long flyball by Aramis Ramirez.

Hans Gutknechet/Staff Photographer

Box:

DODGERS vs. CHICAGO CUBS

- Vincent Bonsignore