Karros Out of Lineup Two Games in a Row

Struggling first baseman Eric Karros was benched again Thursday and will not play today in the opener of a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Dave Hansen started at first and was three for four, matching his career high with four runs batted in during a 6-2 victory over the Florida Marlins at Pro Player Stadium.

With Chad Kreuter catching for Chan Ho Park today, Manager Jim Tracy said Paul Lo Duca will play first.

Tracy acknowledged it is uncommon for Karros to sit in consecutive games unless he is injured, but times have changed because of the veteran’s season-long slump.

The Dodgers are trying to remain in National League playoff contention, and Tracy said he must put the interests of the team first.

“It’s a two-fold thing,” said Tracy, who informed Karros of his decision before Thursday’s game. “I have an obligation to that veteran player I have the utmost respect for. That’s number one.

“But I also have an obligation to this ballclub. Where we’re at at this juncture of the season, I have to go down a different avenue for a couple days in order to create some of those things [more production] we’re talking about. I have to do it. I have to.”

Karros is batting .230 with 13 home runs and 52 runs batted in, and .194 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 129 at-bats since the All-Star break.

He is three for his last 32 with runners in scoring position, grounding into four double plays with 10 strikeouts.

“Obviously, with the way the situation is right now, with the way I’ve been swinging the bat, Trace has to do what he thinks is going to help this ballclub,” Karros said. “And right now, heck, I can’t argue. After [Wednesday’s three-strikeout] performance, I wouldn’t expect to be anywhere else but watching a big league game.”

Karros, the club’s all-time L.A. home run leader, is being paid $7 million in the first season of a three-year, $24-million contract that includes a no-trade clause for two seasons and could become a four-year, $32-million deal with a vesting option.

His salary drops to $6.5 million next season and escalates to $8 million in 2003. Karros will receive $9 million in 2004 if he has at least 500 plate appearances in 2003, and the Dodgers can buy out the option for $1 million if it does not vest.

Although Karros has been on the disabled list because of back problems, he did not use his pain as an excuse.

“Is it something that . . . it is what it is,” he said. “It’s not something that’s holding me back.

“I don’t think that’s the reason for where I’m at right now. I’ve just got to go out there and keep working.”

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Kevin Brown (torn muscle on pitching elbow) had another good bullpen session and is expected to be activated from the disabled list early next week.

“He did very good again,” pitching coach Jim Colborn said. “He threw his full complement of pitches and was pretty sharp.”

Brown will rest today and throw again Saturday.

ON DECK

Opponent--Atlanta Braves, four games.

Site--Turner Field.

Tonight--4:30 PDT.

TV--Channel 5 every game.

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

Records--Dodgers 69-58, Braves 70-56.

Record vs. Braves--2-1.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (11-9, 3.04 ERA)

vs. BRAVES’ TOM GLAVINE (11-6, 3.79 ERA)

Update--This is an important start for Park, who struggled in two of his last three outings. Tracy and Colborn have challenged the club’s top active starter to increase his intensity in the homestretch of the National League West and NL wild-card races. Park faces another challenge against the East-division leading Braves. Glavine is 4-1 with a 2.18 earned-run average in eight second-half starts. The left-hander is 15-15 with a 3.67 ERA against the Dodgers.

Saturday, 4 p.m.--Luke Prokopec (6-6, 4.69) vs. Jason Marquis (3-4, 3.59).

Sunday, 10 a.m.--Eric Gagne (4-5, 4.71) vs. John Burkett (10-8, 2.52).

Monday, 10 a.m.--Terry Adams (9-6, 4.76) vs. Greg Maddux (17-7, 2.86).