Chan Ho Park, who beat Candiotti out for the fifth starter's job in spring
training, pitched seven strong innings, but wound up with a no-decision when
John Olerud hit a two-out, RBI single in the ninth off Todd Worrell to tie
the game 2-2. Neither team threatened again until the winning rally.
``I really feel bad because Chan Ho pitched one of the greatest games I've
seen,'' said Candiotti, who has been rumored to be on the trading block.
``Everyone pitched outstanding. I just happened to get the win.''
Park, allowed only two baserunners in seven innings - Carl Everett singled
with two outs in the second, and Todd Hundley hit his third homer with two
outs in the seventh.
The Dodgers took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second off Mets starter
Dave Mlicki on Todd Zeile's two-run homer, his second.
Park walked none and struck out six before leaving for a pinch-hitter.
``He challenged the hitters, he got ahead of the hitters,'' Dodgers manager
Bill Russell said of Park. ``With his stuff, if he's around the plate, he's
going to get people out.''
Park, working on three days rest, wouldn't have made his second start of the
season until April 30 had it not been for Monday night's marathon. Pedro
Astacio, originally scheduled to start Wednesday night, pitched the final
three innings of that game.
Now, Park might not make his third start for three weeks because the Dodgers
can go with a four-man rotation because of days off. Russell said the matter
will be discussed.
RISING STAR Chan Ho Park, in his finest performance of his career, yielded
just two hits and one run in seven innings of the Dodgers' 3-2, 14-inning
victory over the Mets.
The outing cemented his status as the Dodgers' fifth starter. "I feel
honored," Park says. "I represent not only the Dodgers, but my country (South
Korea).
"I feel so bad because we lose, but I think I pitched all right." Park will
go to the bullpen today until the Dodgers need a fifth starter again April
30, but he will return to the rotation.
"Chan Ho is our fifth starter," Manager Bill Russell says. "He has much
better control now, much more confidence. The more times we get him out
there, the better. He needs work. So it's good to get him out there when we
can.
"The nice thing is that because he won't have thrown many innings, he should
be stronger at the end of the season."
Says Dave Wallace, Dodger pitching Coach: "You just see it, step-by-step,
the maturity coming. There will be growing pains, but you can see how he
understands how to pitch so much better.
"He's not just throwing the ball over the plate anymore. He can throw it up
and in, down and away, anything you want. now."