MONDAY NIGHT'S WIN: USE IT OR LOSE IT.

Byline: STEVE DIBLECK Staff Writer

It's so simple, it's not even open to dispute.

What to do after playing maybe the greatest baseball game ever seen at Dodger Stadium?

Get on board, nod the head and repeat:

Win.

If you're the Los Angeles Dodgers and just put together a game for the ages, the encore is obvious. Take that spectacular two-time, come-from- behind victory over the Padres on Monday night and turn it into a season-defining moment.

By winning, and then winning some more. Winning until a division title is at hand, a postseason added to the schedule.

Take all those dramatics from one marvelous night, and keep rolling with it. Build momentum until it seems to have a life of its own. Until a team's will and confidence seem molded into one unbeatable successful wave after another.

One night later, it wasn't looking like a hallmark to their season. One night later, and it was a comparatively ordinary 10-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

But there had not been one routine thing about that 11-10 victory over the Padres on Monday. It was extraordinary, a game that defied logic and eyesight, and at times, belief.

``Games like that are powerful -- if you let them be,'' Dodgers manager Grady Little said.

If you make them be, if you let them turn a season, if you follow them with more victories, even if comparatively commonplace.

``I really don't give a (hoot) about (Monday) night's game,'' said second baseman Jeff Kent before Tuesday's outing.

``It doesn't click up there with some of the important games I've played in the playoffs. What holds more value to me is we were able to split with San Diego, because we owed them.''

Ever the veteran, Kent fought for the proper perspective. It was a special night, but not a mission accomplished. It was a wonderful victory, but in the end, only one victory.

What's important now is how the Dodgers -- and Padres -- follow that historic game. If the Dodgers use it to catapult them into a stretch run that brings home a division, then they can look back on Monday as a magical night.

Because make no mistakes, games like that happen about as often as a Democrat cuts taxes. Games that drop jaws, tingle the spine, games so electric even Nomar Garciaparra shows emotion.

Four consecutive home runs in the bottom of the ninth. Four home runs on seven pitches.

Former Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, in town early Monday with his Pirates, watched it unfold from his downtown hotel room.

``There are things that happen in a game that you say to yourself, `During the course of my lifetime, I'll never witness that again,' '' Tracy said. ``That was pretty incredible.''

The Dodgers fell behind 4-0 in the first inning Monday, and came back. They had not come from four runs down to win a game all season. They did it twice Monday.

There they were in the bottom of the ninth, down 9-5 to the Padres, three outs from falling 1 1/2 games back of the Padres in the NL West, three outs from losing three of four to San Diego and watching their season threaten to spiral out of control.

And then, whack, Kent hits a home run to lead off the ninth. It seemed innocent enough, but was a portend of incredible things to come.

J.D. Drew worked the count to 2-1 and then jumped on Jon Adkins' next offering, sending it out to deep right field.

Now Padres manager Bruce Bochy, who had record-chasing closer Trevor Hoffman up earlier in the inning, but strangely sat him down once the Padres' went up four runs, now summoned him from the bullpen.

Russell Martin drilled his first pitch to deep left. Dodger Stadium was vibrating, fans who started to leave rushed back into the ballpark.

And then Marlon Anderson crushed his second home run of the night on Hoffman's next pitch. The game was tied, the stadium electric, the sound deafening.

Four consecutive home runs. It hadn't happened in 42 years. Had happened only three other times in major league history.

``I didn't see any cheap ones, either,'' Tracy said.

The Padres have demonstrated their own resiliency this season and fought back with a run in the 10th.

Only this night belonged to the Dodgers, this night pixie dust was sprinkled on their bats.

Kenny Lofton walked, Garciaparra homered and a terrific game ended with a simply stunning Dodgers victory.

The Padres had to be left in shock. But they came out Tuesday and scored four runs in the first inning and defeated the Diamondbacks, 5-2. Anyone who suspected they would be left devastated had to do a quick re-evaluation.

The Dodgers had a great memory, but after Tuesday they again trailed the Padres by a half game in the NL West.

Things change quickly in this game, and dramatic victories are not guaranteed momentum changers.

Few things could be more dramatic then Steve Finley's walk-off grand slam to send the Dodgers into the playoffs in 2004, but they exited the playoffs in four quick games.

``I believe in momentum, but to what extent, I don't know,'' Kent said. ``This game is so improbable, I've never been able to really figure it out.''

One loss doesn't negate the power of Monday's victory, but it doesn't build on it, either.

The Dodgers have 11 games left to build their proper encore. And that means one thing, winning.

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