Two Stars to Get Most of Starts Against Giants

With ace Kevin Brown back in action, the Dodgers have adjusted their starting rotation so Brown and Chan Ho Park will start four of the remaining six games against the San Francisco Giants.

The Dodgers trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by 51/2 games and the Giants by one game in the National League West. They trail the Cubs by 11/2 games in the NL wild-card race.

In the projected rotation, Brown would not start in the four-game series against the Diamondbacks Sept. 20-23. While the Dodgers insist their goal is to win the division, the wild card is an equally valid ticket into the playoffs.

“The sights are set on the division,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “But you have to finish first or second to qualify. ... You can’t be third and make it.”

The Dodgers activated Brown from the disabled list Tuesday. In his first start in six weeks, he pitched five shutout innings.

“He was not happy with the way he threw,” pitching coach Jim Colborn said. “I thought he was fine--great command, looked pretty smooth, and he was effective.”

Brown reported nothing more than the usual post-start soreness Wednesday, and the Dodgers scheduled him to start again Sunday.

Colborn said Brown was frustrated over velocity that decreased slightly as the evening progressed, understandable given the six-week absence and the lack of a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Brown threw 68 pitches, and Tracy said Brown would probably not throw as many as 100 pitches Sunday.

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Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, who has a fractured middle finger on his right hand, will be examined today by Dr. Norman Zemel, a hand specialist. Frank Jobe, the Dodgers’ team physician, examined Grudzielanek onTuesday night and referred him to Zemel.

Today’s examination should determine whether Grudzielanek can return within days or whether the Dodgers might have to fight for a playoff berth with Jeff Reboulet at second base. Grudzielanek said he is eager to play in the first pennant race of his career but concerned that he could jeopardize his long-term health by returning prematurely.

“I came over here from Montreal for one reason, the last month of the season,” he said. “I played seven years to get here, and I’ve sacrificed so much. But, on the other hand, I won’t sacrifice the rest of my career.”

Kevin Malone, who resigned under pressure as the Dodgers’ general manager in April, appeared as a guest co-host on KSPN (1110) Monday. During the first day of what co-host Dave Stone said would be a three-day stint, Malone credited Tracy and the players for a job well done.

“I’m pulling for this team,” Malone said. “What this team has accomplished has been special. It speaks volumes about the heart of this club.”

In particular, Malone saluted outfielder Gary Sheffield, who repeatedly criticized the organization during spring training before apologizing.

“This team would not be where it’s at--or anywhere close--without Gary Sheffield,” Malone said.

Although Malone said he believed trading Sheffield “would have been detrimental to the success of the team,” he did engage in spring trade talks at the request of Chairman Bob Daly. Malone acknowledged that the perception the Dodgers wanted Sheffield gone limited what other teams were willing to offer, but he said the New York Mets frustrated him by talking repeatedly about Sheffield but saying no to the inclusion of virtually every quality player for which Malone asked, including catcher Mike Piazza and infielder EdgardoAlfonzo.

“The Mets basically tried to steal him,” Malone said. “They offered a couple of fungos and used batting practice baseballs. They never made a fair offer.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

CHAN HO PARK

(12-9, 2.95 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’

DENNY NEAGLE

(8-6, 5.16 ERA