Daily News from New York, New York • 74

(suuDQD(0)Z(sir By BOS RAJSSMAN OML NEWS SWJHTTS MMTER Moments after they had signed off their midday show yesterday. Russ (The Sweater) Saizberg and Steve Somers were given the ax by WFAN management. They will be replaced by Jody McDonald and Suzyn (Georgie Girl) Wald-man. Their show debuts today. Waldman will also continue in her role as Yankee beat reporter, doing the midday gig on location when the Yankees are on the road.

Somers had been with WFAN since it debuted in 1987. Saizberg joined the station in 1993 as midday host and was teamed with Somers in 1995. 9. And for those who wont miss me" or didn't like me, well, they can watch me on Ch. 9 and throw things at their TV sets." Now, it will be up to McDonald and Waldman to produce in a time slot where ratings are hard to come by.

Somers and Saizberg peaked at the No. 2 spot in the market, in the male 25-54 demographic, but saw their numbers slide. Sources said WFAN management had decided a few months ago to dump one member of its midday team, and replace him with McDonald. The final decision on cleaning house entirely to bring in the Georgie Girl was finalized two weeks "Russ and Steve are absolute professionals, WFAN GM Lee Davis said. "But we just thought it was time for a change." WFAN's move did not come as a shock.

Over the past few months, speculation had mounted that management would make a change in its midday slot. "I felt relieved (after learning he had been dumped) because I knew something was coming," Saizberg, who will still be on the scene in his role of Ch. 9 sports anchor, said yesterday. "I'm not going to say I was happy because I've got a lot of friends there. I had a good time working with Steve and the callers." Sources said Somers, who was WFAN's first overnight host, has been offered another position at the station and could possibly be back on the station as early as tonight.

"Obviously after getting this kind of news I'm disappointed," Somers said. "I do have some other options out there. I'll take a little time and see what is the right decision to make. I certainly wish both Jody and Suzyn a lot of hick." After departing the FAN Cave, Saizberg said he only had one regret. "Steve and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye on the air the way we wanted to," he said.

"That's okay. It comes with the territory. If any of the callers and listeners miss me they can watch me on Ch. TTT W7 Bombers Ms for El GDuque By THOMAS HU. 0iL NS SPORTS WRITER Orlando (EI Duque) Hernandez had a reason to feei irritated last night, but he resisted the temptation.

For his second straight start he pitched superbly and the Yankees did not score. "As I've said in the past, when they've hit I haven't really pitched well. Hernandez said. "I'd say I've let them down more than they've let me down." The way Hernandez saw it he had no reason to feel discontented. He is pitching as well as he has all season, allowing just two runs in his past 17 innings.

"If I would have gotten frustrated, I would have gotten frustrated the times I got hit" Hernandez said. "That was really frustrating." Waiting game: Derek Jeter is not in great pain, but he is in the dark. He does not know when he will take hts familiar position at shortstop again, or even when the Yankees will permit him to resume activities that would prepare him to resume playing. "It feels Dodger players tussle wtth Wrigley Field fans during last night's game vs. Cubs.

NOTEBOOK said Jeter, who missed his fourth straight game due to an abdominal strain. I5g UTjtJtt Mis jd retail D-eftyunm cago, and the Dodgers battled Cubs fans as well. Three Dodgers went from their bullpen into the Wrigley Field crowd during the ninth inning, delaying the game. Padres 7, Marlins 3 MIAMI Phil Nevin hit a pair of two-run homers to lead San Diego over Florida. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MONTREAL Randy Johnson made his first start at Olympic Stadium in 11 seasons, and Montreal became the first team to beat him in a regular-season game since last Aug.

31 as Javier Vasquez held Arizona to five hits in eight innings as the Expos won. 2-0, last night Johnson (7-1) had won 10 consecutive regular-season decisions. "Every day is making progress, but I have no idea. I haven't swung a bat I haven't thrown. None of those things." Jeter underwent treatment in the training room and jogged tightly before last night's game, just as he did Sunday in Detroit.

Jo Tom offered only a rough timetable for me possible return of his AH-Star shortstop: "Possibly the weekend, but we don't know." Feeling left out: Ricky Ledee started his second consecutive game at DH while Shane Spencor played his second straight game in left field. Ledee expressed some resistance to the idea of serving as a DH on a regular basis, then extended two unpleasant streaks. He is now 0-for-14 overall and 0-for-19 as a DH this season. "I've never been a DH before. Ledee said.

"I'd like to be in the field. That's where I'd really like to be. As long as I'm playing. I guess it doesn't matter. Torre said Spencer's improved production when playing the outfield .286 (14-for-49), five home runs and 14 RBI had little to do with his reappearance there.

"He played weH in left field (Sunday)." Torre said. "That's why I left him out there tonight" Real swinger: Chuck Knoblauch's third-inning walk was his first since April 18. Clay Bellinger is 1 for 11 with an infield single since taking over for Jeter Thursday. Indians 11, Tigers 9 CLEVELAND Travis Fryman had four RBI as Cleveland won despite five Detroit home runs, including two by Juan Gonzalez. Rangers 9, Devil Rays 7 ARLINGTON Ivan Rodriguez snapped a tie with a three-run double in the eighth inning and hit his 16th homer as Texas beat Tampa Bay.

Royals 8, Athletics 7 OAKLAND Jorge Fabregas, who tied the game with an RBI single in the seventh, hit a two-run single in the ninth as Kansas City rallied to beat Oakland. 1 Orioles 4, Angels 3 ANAHEIM Scott Erickson won for the first time since elbow surgery, and Albert Belle and Mike Bordick homered as Baltimore beat Anaheim. Mariners 9, Twins 5 SEATTLE Jay Buhner hit a two-run homer and Edgar Martinez had three RBI as Seattle topped Reds 6, Pirates 2 CINCINNATI Michael Tucker hit a sacrifice fly Cards 8, Phiiiies 2 PHILADELPHIA Andy Benes homered and pitched seven strong in BASEBALL Vvnonnnup nings, and Jim Edmonds homered as St Louis topped Philadelphia. Braves 9, Giants 7 ATLANTA Brian Jordan homered twice in a game for the second time in less than a week as Atlanta held on to beat San Francisco. Dodgers 6, Cubs 5 CHICAGO Los Angeles beat Chi and stole home as Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh for its eighth win in nine games.

Blue Jays 7, Red Sox 6 TORONTO Raul Mondesi tied the game with a two-run double in the ninth inning and scored on Tony Batista's single as the Toronto rallied to end Boston's six-game winning streak. Crad KSstory No Credit BankruDtcv -1 1 wsE-c linn I iri kicvis uzn urcri srn vni Judgements Repossess Foreclosures CM ran Ycra trads Rsasrttsss of Ccncn DrvorceProbierrts Charge Offs Medical Tax Liens UVr No Hassle! No Embarrassment! No Automated Machines! Yea Jci) Is YCUT Credit! 7 Dfl Vkmk CEEtr-1-877-255-6688 SaltaMaEaM 0.