Double Clutch

This is their favorite month of the season, though Shawn Green and Gary Sheffield would rather forget last September.

It was a frustrating time for the top Dodger run producers, who struggled for different reasons as the 2000 club faded in the National League West.

The Dodgers might have flopped down the stretch even if Sheffield hadn’t been ill and injured and Green had been more productive in his first season at Chavez Ravine. They didn’t deliver, but hope to this time.

Their performances have helped the Dodgers remain in the tight West and NL wild-card races despite a rash of injuries, but the all-star outfielders are still on the spot as the club begins a 12-game, 14-day trip tonight against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

“Sheff and Greenie have had huge hits over the last month or so,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “Sheff turned it up a notch over the last month, he’s playing at a higher level, and Greenie has just been lights out since the [All-Star] break.

“There’s no question that, for us to be in this thing until the very end, they’re going to have to continue that. And that’s what’s expected of them. It’s not like people are surprised by this, or they’re being asked to do something they can’t do.”

Green and Sheffield have done everything expected of them to this point.

They have helped the Dodgers overcome a series of on-and off-field crises, including the forced resignation of former general manager Kevin Malone and injuries that forced Manager Jim Tracy to shuffle the rotation frequently.

With Karros struggling because of a back injury and other batting-order problems, Tracy has relied on the guys in the middle and hasn’t been disappointed.

“I know I’ve talked about it often, and some people are probably tired of hearing me say it, but these individuals have been there for us time and time again,” he said. “Sheff went on record to say that, at this time of the year, it’s people like himself and our right fielder [Green] who have to step up and do the job.

“He said it, and they’re going out there and doing it. They’re just both special people. Very special.”

Green rebounded, proving he’s not the $84-million bust some believed.

He’s batting .297 and leads the team with 42 home runs, 109 runs batted in, 100 runs and a .593 slugging percentage.

The left-handed batter’s subpar performance last season was considered to be one of the main reasons the Dodgers failed to meet expectations, finishing second in the West at 86-76, 11 games behind the first-place San Francisco Giants.

After batting .309 with 42 homers and 123 RBIs for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1999, Green hit .269 with 24 homers and 99 RBIs last season. In September, he batted .243 with a homer and 11 RBIs.

“I’m signed for four more years, so I’m sure there’s going to be some more tough times and people will rip me again,” Green said. “I understand it comes with the job, but I’m definitely glad people are having a chance, so far, to see what I can do.”

Sheffield is second among Dodger regulars with a .319 average, and second to Green with 33 homers, 85 RBIs, 83 runs and a .608 slugging percentage.

Three of the left fielder’s homers provided the difference in 1-0 victories, and 18 have given the Dodgers the lead.

He has been a force despite a stint on the 15-day disabled list because of a still severely sprained left index finger, and a recent fainting spell.

With 25 games remaining, Green and Sheffield have combined for 75 homers, eight fewer than Duke Snider and Roy Campanella hit in 1953 to establish the club’s single-season mark for teammates. Green needs one homer to tie Sheffield and Snider for the individual record.

“No question, Sheff and Greenie, we’re just jumping on their shoulders and they’re carrying us,” reliever Matt Herges said. “Sheff loves being the man, he is the man, and he plays better when there’s more pressure.

“Greenie took a lot of heat for not putting up his kind of numbers last year. He was getting used to the league, and getting used to the pitching, but he’s showing the real Shawn Green right now.”

Last season, before contracting a viral illness Aug. 21, Sheffield batted .331 with 40 homers and 96 RBIs. He had only three homers and 13 RBIs after returning to the lineup and was sidelined briefly because of back spasms.

The Dodgers were 8-3 in the games Sheffield missed in August, but fell to fourth in the division in September, including a stretch when they were 2-8.

After dropping a season-high 13 games behind the Giants on Sept. 14, the Dodgers finished 11-4.

“When I went down late in the year, I was swinging the bat better than I did all year,” Sheffield said. “Looking at where my numbers stood, I’m pretty sure ... well, I know you can’t predict what would have happened. I just felt like I really was at my best at that time.

“I just feel that when I’m healthy like now, especially at that time of the season, there’s going to be a lot of games I can win by myself.”