Players Know They Face Tough Fight

By Jason Reid

Sept. 24, 2004 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers had played it cool for weeks while the San Francisco Giants increased the heat in the National League West.

Not anymore.

Players said Thursday the Dodgers were in a difficult position and faced a formidable challenge in a three-game series against the Giants beginning tonight at SBC Park. With a division title at stake, the Dodgers enter hostile territory.

“There’s no looking back now because they’re right there with us,” closer Eric Gagne said. “We had to take care of our business and we didn’t do that. They did and we didn’t, so we have no one to blame but ourselves.

“The rivalry is always crazy no matter what, and now we’re both trying to win the division. It’s going to be wild because the whole year comes down to the six games we have left with each other. That’s the whole year right there.”

The Dodgers lead the season series, 7-6. The Dodgers swept the Giants in the teams’ first three-game series April 16-18 at SBC Park, and were swept there in a four-game series June 21-24.

“We’re in good position to make our own bed,” said San Francisco center fielder Marquis Grissom, who played for the Dodgers in 2001 and ’02.

“I love that ‘Beat L.A.’ chant. When I was over there, it fired me up. You either get fired up or you get sucked into it.

“Some guys love it, some guys can’t handle the pressure. It’s the most fun thing ever. During games like these, you’ll have some emotion. If not, you’re not human.”

The Dodgers know what awaits them.

“It’s going to be tough to go there when we’re not playing the best ball we can play, but we believe in this team,” third baseman Adrian Beltre said. “We can get the most out of those last 10 games. We have to because of the way they’re playing.”

The Dodgers are not surprised the Giants have remained in the division race.

“They’ve got a veteran club and they know how to win, so you can never take them for granted,” said first baseman Shawn Green. “We’re not going to do that, but we also know we have to focus on ourselves. We all have confidence in what we’re trying to do.”

Brad Penny won’t pitch again this season after tests confirmed he aggravated a nerve injury Wednesday in a 4-0 loss to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

The injury on Penny’s pitching arm had previously sidelined him for more than six weeks.

Wilson Alvarez might recover in time from a hip injury to rejoin the rotation and start Monday against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

ON DECK

Opponent -- San Francisco Giants, three games.

Tonight -- 7:15.

Site -- SBC Park.

TV -- Channel 13 tonight and Sunday, Channel 11 on Saturday.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Dodgers 87-65, Giants 86-67.

Record vs. Giants -- 7-6.

Tonight, 7 -- Odalis Perez (6-6, 3.39) vs. Kirk Rueter (8-11, 4.82 ERA)

Saturday, 1 p.m. -- Jose Lima (13-5, 4.06) vs. Brad Hennessey (2-2, 4.40).