TALK FROM TRACY TAKEN TO HEART DODGERS 10, N.Y. METS 2.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

NEW YORK - The effort wasn't in question, but Jim Tracy didn't like the approach.

With the Dodgers having scored one run or less in eight of 14 games, the Dodgers' rookie manager called his first performance-related team meeting Saturday. And the words of wisdom were well taken as the Dodgers' offense exploded for its highest run total since the day Kevin Malone was officially ousted in a 10-2 pounding of the Mets at Shea Stadium.

Shawn Green belted two homers in a game for the second time this season and 14th time in his career, and he drove in four runs as the Dodgers (24-19) regained possession of first place in the revolving National League West.

``I think good hitting is very reactive and not overly analytical, and I think that we had gotten to the point where we had gotten too analytical and were worried about inches here and inches there,'' Tracy said.

``When you're aggressive and you work on top of the ball and your goal is to hit the ball hard, those couple of inches either way don't necessarily come into play.''

Rookie Luke Prokopec (5-1) continued his impressive run as he tied Kevin Brown for the staff lead in wins, allowing four hits and one run in six innings. The Australian tied a career high with seven strikeouts, though this was no easy win.

The Dodgers didn't lead until Green's solo homer in the fourth made it 1-0. Mark Grudzielanek and Green added RBI singles in the fifth and Prokopec left with a 3-1 lead.

``I think the good thing the about (Tracy) so far is he's not afraid to let us know what's on his mind,'' Dodgers center fielder Tom Goodwin said. ``Every once in a while I think we need that, instead of having to guess about it or wonder if he's caring or anything else that comes with it. Every now and again the team is going to need that so it doesn't get off track.''

Tracy preached patience at the plate and a belief in one's ability during the 30-minute, closed-door session. Not only did the Dodgers have 13 hits, but they drew seven walks, had a baserunner in each of the last eight innings and scored the most runs in a game since they beat San Francisco 10-1 on April 19.

``The quality of our at-bats all day long was exceptional, and that's something we talked about,'' Tracy said. ``It's very easy to catch a fly ball, a weak fly ball that's hit anywhere on the field. Let's make them play. Let's make them have to make plays. Let's hit the ball. Let's have some consistency with our at-bats.''

There also was a return to an earlier style of play, when the Dodgers were aggressive on the bases and tried to force plays. Tracy turned to hit-and-runs and gave runners the opportunity to steal as Adrian Beltre, Goodwin and Eric Karros made them 3 for 3 against Mets catcher Todd Pratt.

However, the key offensive moment came in the seventh, when the free- swinging Grudzielanek followed Goodwin's triple with a full-count walk. Gary Sheffield singled in one run and Beltre capped the four-run inning with a two-run single to put the Dodgers ahead 7-1.

Green, who leads the Dodgers with 31 RBI and tied Sheffield for the team lead with 10 homers, added a two-run homer in the ninth.

``We definitely needed to get back on the same page and not try too hard to play,'' Green said. ``Just say, `Everybody relax, do your part, get a walk, get the count in your favor.' That's how we played.''

The next question is how long will it last?