STATUS KUO IS NO GOOD SHORT OUTING COULD BE COSTLY FOR NO. 5 STARTER SAN DIEGO 7, DODGERS 6.

Byline: JILL PAINTER

Staff Writer

The Dodgers got to San Diego Padres starter Chris Young again, but their pitching and defense was so dreadful it didn't seem to matter.

The Dodgers stole five bases against Young -- who has been dominant against every team except the Dodgers. They scored two runs off him early, which is all the stingy Young usually allows per game.

However, Hong-Chih Kuo had another horrendous and short- lived outing.

The Dodgers rallied with three runs in the eighth and another run in the ninth, but it was futile as the Padres hung on for a 7-6 win in front of 52,050 Friday at Dodger Stadium.

"We kept getting after it and coming back," Dodgers manager Grady Little said. "But asix-spot is too much to overcome to a team like that."

The bottom fell out for Kuo in the fourth, when Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a three-run homer run to right to give San Diego a 5-2 lead.

Kuo allowed six runs on six hits in the inning, in which his defense didn't give him any help, committing two errors.

One wonders how long the Dodgers can continue to stick with Kuo in the rotation. He lasted just 3 1/3 innings in which time he allowed seven runs, six of which were earned.

Little was noncommittal on if a change would be made, but it seems inevitable.

"What he's done the last three starts isn't good enough," Little said about Kuo, whose earned-run average soared to 7.42.

The No. 5 spot in the rotation, currently held down by Kuo, has given the Dodgers fits. They've tried Chad Billingsley, Mark Hendrickson and Brett Tomko and none was fit to stay. That trio is now expected to provide long relief in the bullpen for the unreliable fifth starter.

Pitching is hardly the only problem that faces the Dodgers.

In the fourth inning, Mike Cameron was sent home from second on a ball to center field. But as Juan Pierre hit James Loney, the cutoff man, Loney turned and threw home as Cameron was crossing home plate. The throw went high and toward the backstop, allowing Michael Barrett to score, too.

One bright spot for the Dodgers was third basemanNomar Garciaparra, who shelved his slump -- at least for a day. He was 3 for 4 with an RBI and scored a run.

Pierre stole three bases through five innings, tying a season-high. He also stole three at Toronto 11 days ago.

Little's plan against the Padres included aggressive running on the basepaths, and it led to their first run. The Dodgers, perhaps sensing something in Young's delivery, took advantage in the first inning -- specificially Pierre.

Pierre stole second and third while Russell Martin worked the count at the plate. Martin then walked and Jeff Kent grounded out to score Pierre.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Dodgers starter Hon-Chih Kuo gave up seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings Friday against San Diego.

(2) The Dodgers' Luis Gonzalez grimaces after striking out Friday against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer