Less Pain Means Some Gain for Brown

Pitcher Kevin Brown, suffering from a herniated disk in his lower back, remained hospitalized for a fourth day Thursday, but his pain had subsided and his mobility had improved to where he could begin tests required to determine proper treatment.

Doctors should have enough information later today to determine whether Brown will begin a physical therapy program or undergo back surgery. He already is on the disabled list because of inflammation in his right elbow.

A rehabilitation program, designed to strengthen the lower back and reduce the bulging disk with medication, would probably sideline Brown for up to a month.

If the problem requires surgery, in which the protruding disk would be either cut out or removed with a laser, Brown probably would be sidelined for at least six weeks and perhaps the rest of the season.

Brown, 37, is in the fourth year of a seven-year, $106-million contract and is owed $45 million from 2003 to 2005.

He has been on the disabled list five times in the last two seasons, twice this season after suffering setbacks related to last September’s surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right elbow.

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Manager Jim Tracy made a point of pacing Eric Karros during the first quarter of the season, sitting him for six of the Dodgers’ first 39 games to ease the workload for a first baseman who suffered chronic lower-back problems in 2001.

But as the Dodgers hit the backstretch of 2002, Tracy is going to the whip. Karros has started the last 20 games, and he prefers that pace.

“I’ve been fine the whole year, and I’ve already had six games off,” Karros, 34, said. “I’m not averse to getting a day off here or there, but people have to get over the fact that I’m not going through what I went through last year.”

That’s evident by Karros’ production. Coming off his worst season, in which he hit .235 with 15 homers and 63 runs batted in, Karros is batting .310 with five homers and 31 runs batted in, 10 of those RBIs in the last four games.

He has shown no signs of wear and tear--his average has not fallen below .290 since April 5, and his defense has been sound.

“He’s at the point where he doesn’t need as many days off as we thought he’d need,” Tracy said. “As long as he seems strong and he’s not fighting himself [at the plate] we’ll keep it this way.

“I have one goal, and that’s to have Eric Karros doing exactly what he’s doing now in August and September. If that means he needs a day off here or there, that’s fine.”

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It took 36 years, but the Dodgers will finally get a chance to avenge their 1966 World Series loss to the Baltimore Orioles when they open interleague play tonight with a three-game series in Camden Yards.

After playing American League West teams for the first five years of interleague play, the Dodgers will play 12 games against AL teams they’ve never faced in the regular season--Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Toronto and Boston. They’ll also have six games against the Angels.

“Getting to see some different parks and play some different clubs should be invigorating--I think playing the AL West got a little stale,” Tracy said. “Camden Yards is a great baseball venue, and the fans love their Orioles. Playing there will be a unique experience.”

So will Tropicana Field, but not because of the atmosphere, fans or franchise history. The Devil Rays’ dome has funky turf and a series of catwalks near the roof that often come into play.

“The meeting at home plate usually starts around 6:40 [for a 7 p.m. game],” Tracy said. “They have four catwalks and a different ground rule for each one.”

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The Dodgers had a day off in Baltimore on Thursday, and several players--but not catcher Paul Lo Duca--planned to tour Washington.

“Some guys said they were going to check out the White House,” Lo Duca said. “I told them I’m going to wait until the end of the year when we visit the president after winning the World Series.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Baltimore Orioles, three games.

Site--Camden Yards, Baltimore.

Today--4 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2 today, Channel 13 Saturday and Sunday.

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

Records--Dodgers 35-24, Orioles 27-30.

Record vs. Orioles--first meeting.

TODAY’S GAME

DODGERS’

ANDY ASHBY

(5-4, 2.84 ERA)

vs.

ORIOLES’

RODRIGO LOPEZ

(5-1, 2.57 ERA)

Update--Lopez, a 24-year-old right-hander from Mexico, has been a pleasant surprise since replacing the struggling Josh Towers in the rotation in late April. He was supposed to start against the New York Yankees on Thursday, but the game was rained out. Ashby is coming off one of his best games of the season, a 2-0 victory over Arizona last Saturday in which the right-hander allowed five hits and no runs in eight innings.

Saturday, 4 p.m.--Kazuhisa Ishii (9-1, 2.91) vs. Jason Johnson (1-3, 5.48).

Sunday, 10:30 a.m.--Odalis Perez (5-3, 2.52) vs. Sidney Ponson (3-3, 4.72).