Hollandsworth Will Accept Reserve Role for the Time Being

Outfielder Todd Hollandsworth started at first base for the first time in his career in Saturday’s 10-7 victory over St. Louis.

He hit a two-run homer--his first of the season--and handled all of his chances cleanly. Manager Davey Johnson plans to use Hollandsworth occasionally in relief of Eric Karros because he wants to keep Karros sharp and play Hollandsworth more.

Although Hollandsworth welcomes the opportunity, he still believes his place is in the outfield.

“They know I’m not happy about the situation [being a reserve] and that I want to play every day,” he said. “That’s not the plan for me here right now so I want to get out there as much as I can. But by no means do I consider myself a first baseman.”

Hollandsworth said he last played first base in seventh grade. He worked at the position in five games during spring training.

He said he needs a lot more work if he’s going to continue playing the position.

“It’s the same [position] as when I was a kid, that’s what I have to remember,” Hollandsworth said. “I’ll ask E.Y. [second baseman Eric Young] for help and just try to give it a shot.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Cincinnati Reds, three games.

* Site--Cinergy Field, Cincinnati.

* Today--4 p.m.

* TV--None.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 22-21, Reds 21-19.

* 1998 record vs. Reds--4-5.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ KEVIN BROWN (5-2, 2.54 ERA)

vs.

REDS’ STEVE PARRIS (2-0, 4.80 ERA)

* Update--This game starts a nine-game, 10-day trip for a team that needed to get out of town. The Dodgers went 2-4 on the six-game homestand, losing two of three each to the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals. The good news for the Dodgers--there isn’t much at the moment--is that Brown is scheduled to pitch the opener of this three-game series. The right-hander has had seven quality starts in nine outings and is among the major league pitching leaders in several categories.

* Wednesday, 4 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (3-3, 4.78) vs. Brett Tomko (1-2, 6.10).

* Thursday, 9:30 a.m.--Ismael Valdes (4-2, 3.77) vs. Pete Harnisch (4-4, 3.16).