BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : They’re Rooting for the . . . Giants?

Amazingly, the Dodgers are openly rooting these days for their bitter rivals, the San Francisco Giants.

“We want them to stay in the race as long as possible,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “The longer they stay in the race, the more incentive they’ll have when they play the [Colorado Rockies].”

The Giants have eight scheduled games remaining against the first-place Rockies. The Dodgers have seven of their final 13 games against the San Diego Padres.

“I know it sounds strange,” Manager Tom Lasorda said, “but you do what you’ve got to do. We want the Giants to have something to shoot for.

“If the Giants were in our position, I’m sure they’d be rooting for us too.”

The Giants (62-68), however, lost again Saturday and are 6 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the wild-card race.

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Dodger shortstop Chad Fonville experienced one of the thrills of his life Friday night when he watched Cardinal shortstop Ozzie Smith break the all-time double-play record for shortstops, and then stood with his mouth open when Smith took the time to talk to him.

“That was just awesome to me,” Fonville said. “He’s my idol. When he started talking to me, I didn’t know what to say.

“He says to me, ‘So you got your job. Keep going strong, man. Keep playing hard, and you can keep playing 20 years.’ That really touched me. It was a moment I’ll never forget as long as I live.”

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Mike Piazza, the first Dodger to have at least 20 homers in his first three seasons, also could become the first Dodger to lead the team in homers three consecutive seasons since Frank Howard in 1962-1964.

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Pitchers Hideo Nomo and Chan Ho Park created a frenzy Saturday afternoon when spotted eating at a popular Italian restaurant. They were besieged by autograph and photo requests the entire time. “I just wanted some pasta,” Park said. . . . The Dodgers have sent more scouts than ever to scout all of their possible playoff and World Series opponents. Bob Harrison, special assistant to Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi, arrived in St. Louis to scout the Dodgers the remainder of the season as a possible World Series opponent.