NO MO' LAST YEAR DODGERS WIN OPENER ON 4-HIT SHUTOUT DODGERS 8, ARIZONA 0.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

PHOENIX - It was the type of game that sends messages, the kind of start the Dodgers needed to say something is very different about this season, even though it was still March.

Perennial Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson, Arizona's seemingly automatic win on opening day, was in position to show the path to the postseason still runs through the desert. Instead, Hideo Nomo's right arm spoke with much more vigor.

In an extension of Nomo's 2002 season, the Dodgers' staff ace four-hit Arizona in an 8-0 victory Monday at Bank One Ballpark, giving the Dodgers their first complete-game shutout on opening day in more than two decades.

Nomo (1-0) struck out seven and walked one batter in an efficient 103- pitch performance. The last complete-game opening-day shutout by a Dodger was authored by Fernando Valenzuela, who beat Houston 2-0 to open the 1981 season.

``It was amazing,'' Dodgers closer Eric Gagne said. ``That's the best I've ever seen him pitch. He threw a lot of strikes. He didn't walk anybody. He just went after people. He located his fastball, located everything. Oh my, gosh.''

It was also the first time Johnson lost in 11 opening-day starts.

Dodgers left fielder Brian Jordan was a major reason. He had an RBI single in the first inning, but his big blow came in the sixth.

With a runner on third, two outs and left-handed batting Fred McGriff on deck, Arizona manager Bob Brenly went to the mound before Jordan's at-bat to discuss the situation. Jordan, a career .333 hitter against Johnson, then hit a first-pitch slider over the left-field fence to give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.

An inning later, Dodgers catcher Paul Lo Duca extended the Dodgers' lead to 5-0 with a two-out, two-run single to right.

``I don't why Bob came out there, to be honest with you,'' Johnson said. ``No disrespect to him, but I'm pitching that game, and I'm fully aware of Fred McGriff on deck. When he came out, I assumed he'd take me out and not tell me how to pitch. If he wants to (walk Jordan), then come out there and tell me to do it. Don't just come out there.''

While Johnson searched for answers, Lo Duca said he had little doubt Nomo would fare well in his first season opener for the Dodgers.

``He's one of the best teammates I ever played with, and you know what, it doesn't surprise me at all what he did,'' Lo Duca said. ``I was telling my dad (Sunday) night, I knew he was going to throw good. In these kind of situations - when it's a big game, Randy Johnson - it's guaranteed. The guy is unbelievable.''

The Diamondbacks would agree. The only Arizona runner to reach third base was Steve Finley, and that was on a two-out single by Luis Gonzalez in the seventh inning.

Nomo retired the first nine batters, faced three batters over the minimum and allowed two baserunners in only one inning, the seventh.

``I would like to continue this type of rhythm I experienced (Monday),'' Nomo said through an interpreter. ``If I can do it every time, I'm not too sure but I would like to try. If I'm able to continue like (Monday's) rhythm, I think that would be a good thing.''

There was also the sense of accomplishment that Nomo bested Johnson, who was 5-0 with a 2.37 ERA in opening-day starts.

Next up is Curt Schilling, whom the Dodgers last beat in 1997.

``Beating Randy the first day is something big,'' Dodgers third baseman Adrian Beltre said. ``Hopefully, we can keep going against Schilling, but beating him is tough.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Hideo Nomo pitched the Dodgers' first complete-game shutout on opening day since 1981.

Roy Dabner/Agence France Presse

(2) Arizona's Bret Prinz, who relieved Randy Johnson, injured his right groin pitching in the eighth inning Monday.

Paul Connors/Associated Press

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