WEAVER TAMES THE TIGERS PITCHER GOES SEVEN STRONG INNINGS IN DODGERS' VICTORY DODGERS 3, DETROIT 1.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Jeff Weaver's surfer dude looks and slow-as-molasses stride made him a seemingly perfect fit in Los Angeles. He was traded from Detroit and run out of town in New York. Whether Weaver, a Simi Valley High product, was meant to pitch in his hometown is uncertain and he's in the final year of his contract.

But he fit Chavez Ravine like a glove Wednesday night.

The Detroit Tigers surely had a little something to do with that. Weaver pitched a two-hitter over seven innings against the team that drafted him and the Dodgers went on to a 3-1 victory in front of 34,690 at Dodger Stadium.

With the victory, the Dodgers moved within three games of NL West leader San Diego and jumped ahead of Arizona for second place by a half game.

Weaver struck out seven and didn't walk a batter in one of his best starts of the season and improved to 6-5. Brandon Inge hit a two-out double in the first and his lone mistake was a rare home run to Detroit starting pitcher Jason Johnson. He's allowed three home runs to pitchers this season.

In his previous start Friday, he gave up a grand slam to Milwaukee outfielder Carlos Lee. Weaver joked that he must be starting a trend: Give up a home run, then dominate the rest of the way. The Dodgers hope that's the case. Since Lee's home run, Weaver has struck out 14 and allowed just two hits and one run in 14 innings.

``I think it's about that time to start finding it if I haven't,'' Weaver said. ``I felt good the last couple of outings. It's time to start getting on a roll again, get those quality starts going and go out there and give us a chance to win each and every night.''

Asked what was working for Weaver, Dodgers manager Jim Tracy sounded more like a local real-estate agent - ``Location, location, location.''

Jason Grabowski, starting for the first time since he came off the disabled list, hit a two-run homer off Johnson to right-center field in the second inning and that was all the Dodgers would need, although Hee- Seop Choi provided insurance with a run-scoring single to left field in the seventh.

Weaver worked ahead in the count all night as he finished with 71 strikes among his 97 pitches. He retired 13 consecutive batters before he hit Dimitri Young (Rio Mesa High of Oxnard) with two outs in the seventh. He struck out Craig Monroe on a curveball to end the seventh and turned the rest over to the bullpen.

The bullpen had a decidedly different outcome from the previous night, in which Scott Erickson and Duaner Sanchez botched a two-run Dodgers lead. Yhency Brazoban pitched a scoreless eighth and Eric Gagne retired the side in the ninth to record his seventh save of the season.

But the story was all Weaver. Once he gives up that familiar home run, of course.

``For me, it's continuing to stay focused,'' Weaver said. ``Sometimes, I let things snowball instead of staying within myself and making quality pitches. The last couple of starts, I've been able to do that.''

Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis' slump continued. He's now 0 for 26 after going 0 for 4 Wednesday.

Johnson hit his first career home run off a Weaver fastball high in the zone and the Tigers' first home run in interleague play in the third inning to cut the deficit to 2-1. Johnson's home run was the first by a Detroit pitcher since Les Cain homered in 1971.

``He gets upset pretty frequently and not just when pitchers hit home runs off him,'' catcher Jason Phillips said.

Weaver said he's channeling that anger after home runs. Weaver, who has received his share of praise and boos this season, has recovered from his mistakes.

Weaver was a first-round selection in 1998 and not even a year later, he was pitching in the big leagues for Detroit. He's had his highs and lows but wants to stay in Los Angeles.

``I love playing here,'' Weaver said. ``This is the organization I grew up watching and cheering for. Obviously, I'd love to continue playing here.''

And if he continues pitching like this, the Dodgers might want that, too.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 3 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Jason Grabowski, center, is congratulated by Jason Phillips after hitting a two-run homer.

(2) Dodgers batter Jeff Weaver tries to get out of the way as Detroit catcher Vance Wilson goes for the ball.

(3) Dodgers closer Eric Gagne celebrates with catcher Jason Phillips after Gagne finished the 9th inning for his seventh save of the season.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) GAME RECAP

(2) HOW THE RUNS SCORED

(3) ALMANAC