Green Hurting . . . the Opposition

Injured first baseman Eric Karros has noticed something while watching the Dodgers on television: Shawn Green has been productive.

“It’s a joke how good he’s been,” Karros said in a phone interview. “We’ve weathered the storm of all these injuries because a lot of guys have stepped up.

“Guys like [Marquis] Grissom and [Paul] Lo Duca have gotten hot, and [rookie starter] Luke Prokopec has been a big surprise. But Greenie is the one guy who has been consistent the whole time and not gotten enough credit. It’s unbelievable how good he’s been.”

Beginning play Tuesday, Green was batting .283 and led the Dodgers with 13 doubles, 14 homers and 47 runs batted in.

With Karros and left fielder Gary Sheffield on the disabled list, Green has batting .500 (15 for 30) with four doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs during a nine-game stretch.

“And look what he’s doing with runners in scoring position,” Karros said. “It’s ridiculous.”

The right fielder was tied for third in the National League with a .400 (24 for 60) batting average and 35 RBIs, tied for second with seven homers and fifth with a .783 slugging percentage.

Said Manager Jim Tracy: “He has stepped up and then some.”

So what about some credit?

“There are so many guys doing things and contributing right now, and it’s kind of nice to do it quietly,” Green said. “It’s obviously an important time of the season, we’re back in our division and we’ve got three of our key guys [Karros, Sheffield and starter Kevin Brown] out right now.

“We all have to pick up slack, so it feels good to contribute. But that [recognition] isn’t important. Winning is the ultimate satisfaction.”

Brian Pilkington’s dream to surpass his uncle Bert Blyleven’s 287 career victories came one step closer to reality when the Dodgers made the Garden Grove Santiago High pitcher their first selection with the 68th pick of the amateur draft.

Pilkington, who listened to an Internet simulcast of the draft with family members gathered in his living room, said he didn’t expect to hear his name called until after the third round. But when he heard “Pilkington” blare over the speakers in the second round, madness ensued.

“We went nuts,” said Pilkington, a 6-foot-5 right-hander who this season went 10-2 with an earned-run average of 0.90. “Everyone was just running around hugging and crying.”

Pilkington said he couldn’t even keep his composure when he spoke with Blyleven.

“We were both crying on the phone,” Pilkington said. “He said this is where my life begins. ‘Get ready to go out and show them what you’ve got.’ ”

Starter Andy Ashby (strained right elbow) might begin a rehabilitation assignment this weekend after facing batters for the first time during his throwing program. With Tracy observing, Ashby threw fastballs, sinkers, curveballs and change-ups in the final 20 pitches of his bullpen session. . . . Sheffield (torn finger ligaments) might be activated Friday after taking batting practice for the first time during his rehabilitation program. “He seemed to be fine,” Tracy said. “I’m hopeful.” . . . The Dodgers are not worried about starter Chan Ho Park’s recurring lower back pain. The right-hander has overcome the problem through many forms of therapy. . . . Karros (sprained lower back) took swings off a tee and is progressing.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

LUKE PROKOPEC

(6-1, 3.67 ERA)

vs.

DIAMONDBACKS’

CURT SCHILLING

(9-1, 2.76 ERA)

Bank One Ballpark, 7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2

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

Update--Prokopec struggled in Friday’s 10-9 loss to the Houston Astros at Enron Field. The Dodgers also played poorly behind the Australian right-hander, who gave up 11 hits and seven runs (four earned) in a five-inning outing. “If there’s a comparison between [second-year starter Eric Gagne] and Luke right now, that’s the big difference,” Manager Jim Tracy of Prokopec’s ability to remain in games despite command problems. “It was evident in this past series where Luke didn’t have his best stuff.” Schilling is among the major league leaders in many categories.