Maybe Experience Will Help This Time

The Dodgers failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2001 after pulling within a game of first place in the National League West on Sept. 7.

Despite leading the division by 2 1/2 games at the All-Star break in 2002, their postseason-appearance drought reached six seasons.

Notice a trend?

“We got close the last couple of years, and there were a lot of reasons we just couldn’t get over the hump,” right fielder Shawn Green said. “Whether it was injuries or whatever, different things happened.

“This year, everything is different. Even when we were struggling early, everyone still believed in what we were doing. With the guys in this clubhouse, there’s more of an expectation that we’re going to find a way.”

It appears the NL West is a two-horse race between the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, who have faded after a 13-1 start. Of course, there’s still a long way to go, so the Dodgers, who trail by a game after the Giants’ 2-0 victory Thursday night, shouldn’t get too giddy at this point. However, they believe they’ve learned how to close.

“Last year really was uncharted territory for us,” center fielder Dave Roberts said. “You end up in first place at the All-Star break, then it’s like, ‘Now what?’ That experience was the big lesson last year, and we’re better for it now. I think we’ll be able to hold a lead now.”

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Agent Scott Boras apparently is already formulating his plan to elevate Eric Gagne among baseball’s highest-paid closers in his first year of arbitration.

Some agents believe that if Gagne maintains his current pace of saves and strikeouts, he might receive a salary in the $9-million range next season. That would be a huge raise over the $550,000 he received this season.

The Dodgers don’t discuss contracts, but they’re obviously concerned about Gagne’s payroll impact.

“Gagne is not only a great closer, he’s a star,” Boras said. “He’s the most dominant player the Dodgers have at any position, and the reaction the fans have to him is unlike anything we’ve seen here since Fernando [Valenzuela].”

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Although Fred McGriff sat out his fifth consecutive game Thursday because of a tight right groin, the first baseman ran in the outfield for the first time since suffering the injury. McGriff hopes to be available today.

“It’s getting better,” said the 17-year veteran. “It’s frustrating, but we’re winning ballgames. That’s the good thing.”

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Pitcher Kevin Brown, removed from Tuesday’s game because of a left groin strain, is scheduled to have a bullpen session today and to start Sunday against the Angels.

“He’s fine,” Manager Jim Tracy said.

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Outfielder-infielder Mike Kinkade was not available after suffering a strained muscle in his side in Wednesday’s game, Tracy said. Kinkade will be re-evaluated today.

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Catcher Todd Hundley expects a long recovery from June 5 surgery to have a disk fragment removed from his back.

“Right now, we’re just trying to protect it and let it completely heal,” said Hundley, who was acquired from the Cubs in the off-season. “As far as a timeline, we haven’t set a timeline. It’s at least six weeks to let the disk heal, so I don’t know.”