Team Wants to Keep Fetters; Rain Delays Game

Although the Dodgers supposedly are still focusing on this season, General Manager Kevin Malone recently told productive reliever Mike Fetters, who can become a free agent, that the club plans to re-sign him, sources said.

Fetters declined comment about his conversation with Malone, who initiated a contract discussion before a game last week, but Fetters’ agent, Danny Horwits, confirmed that the Dodgers hope to retain the right-hander.

“Mike has expressed to the Dodgers all season that he would like to remain a Dodger,” Horwits said. “But with little time left in the season, it would be hard not to at least explore the free-agent market.”

The Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres are expected to pursue Fetters, who is making $550,000 plus performance incentives.

Fetters--6-2 with a 3.19 earned-run average and five saves in 49 games--is seeking a deal comparable to Gregg Olson’s two-year, $3.5-million contract.

*

The Padres led the Dodgers, 3-2, in the seventh inning at press time Friday night before what was left of a crowd of 37,512 at Dodger Stadium after two long rain delays.

The Padres took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Desi Relaford’s two-run home run off starter Eric Gagne that barely cleared the right-field wall.

Chris Donnels hit a solo home run to center in the second to cut the Padres’ lead to 2-1.

The Dodgers tied the score at 2-2 in the sixth when Adrian Beltre walked with one out and scored on Alex Cora’s two-out double to right-center.

The Padres went ahead in the seventh when Relaford walked to start the inning, stole second and advanced to third on catcher Todd Hundley’s errant throw, and scored on John Mabry’s double.

*

Add another $2.5 million to the 2001 payroll.

The Dodgers plan to exercise an option in that amount in reliever Antonio Osuna’s contract for next season. Osuna is 3-5 with a 3.65 ERA in 45 games after coming off elbow surgery last season. The right-hander is making $210,000 plus performance bonuses.

Including Osuna, the Dodgers have 14 players under contract for next season at $75.2 million. They hope to have a payroll under $100 million.

*

Left fielder Gary Sheffield, sidelined because of a lumbar strain, might not play again this season, Manager Davey Johnson said. However, trainer Stan Johnston believes Sheffield, following an exercise program to stretch his back, might return Tuesday for a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants. . . . Utilityman F.P. Santangelo, sidelined since Aug. 24 because of torn left thumb ligament, was activated Friday. Santangelo, who must wear a protective brace, was only given medical clearance to run.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(13-6, 2.63 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’

WOODY WILLIAMS

(13-15, 5.01 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7.

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

* Update--Brown, who has the majors’ third-lowest ERA, has given up one run or less in eight games in which he has failed to get a victory, going 0-1 with seven no-decisions. The right-hander worked seven scoreless innings, getting his 13th no-decision, in Monday’s 2-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Williams is 4-2 with a 3.54 ERA in his last eight starts.

Dodgers 2000 Season Almanac

Through Thursday

Dodger record:

overall 81-72

in home games 41-34

in road games 40-38

vs. NL East 23-21

vs. NL Central 27-25

vs. NL West 25-17

vs. American League 6-9

vs. left-handed starter 11-22

vs. right-handed starter 70-50

on grass 73-67

on artificial turf 8-5

in day games 22-21

in night games 59-51

in one-run games 23-20

in extra-inning games 9-5