BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Russell Has Dukes Near Top of PCL

Quietly but convincingly, Bill Russell is proving to the Dodgers that he deserves to be their next manager by helping a mediocre team at Albuquerque move into contention for a second-half title. Before Monday night’s games, the triple-A Dukes were in second place in the Southern Division of the Pacific Coast League, two games out of first place in the second half, two games over .500 at 22-20. In the first half, they finished tied for last in their division with a 33-39 record.

Russell is so enthused about the turnaround, he said he would be happy to return to Albuquerque for a second season if Tom Lasorda remains the field boss in Los Angeles. “Right now, I’m planning on coming back here if they’ll have me,� Russell said. “I’ve learned a lot here, and I am feeling more comfortable every day.�

Charlie Blaney, the Dodgers’ farm director, said he wants Russell back. “We have made no final decision yet, but I don’t see any reason why Billy would not come back,� Blaney said. “We have the youngest team in that league and Billy . . . has shown great communication with the players. He has settled in.�

Kip Gross arrived in Atlanta from Albuquerque Monday afternoon as a temporary replacement for injured Tom Candiotti. He knows he is only going to be here three days as bullpen support. But considering this is his eighth trip to the major leagues, he is not surprised.

“Hey man, that’s me,� Gross said. “Just another little vacation.�

The last time he was with the Dodgers, he recorded a victory in a start against the Montreal Expos July 6, then bought Dave Hansen’s truck and drove back to Albuquerque.

The Braves, who lead the league in attendance, set an Atlanta season attendance record in just their 56th home date Monday. The 25th consecutive sellout crowd of 43,368 pushed the overall mark to 2,156,715. . . . Vin Scully missed Monday’s telecast because of a dental problem, but should be back for today’s at Cincinnati. . . . In its first public appearance before a large crowd here, the Atlanta Olympic mascot “Whatizit� was roundly booed while being shown on the center field video screen here.