BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Park, Dreifort Strengthen Chances

Two rookie pitchers showed their stuff again Monday in West Palm Beach, Fla., and once again showed why they could make the team.

Chan Ho Park pitched four scoreless innings in the Dodgers’ 6-1 victory over the Montreal Expos, and Darren Dreifort gave up one run and struck out three in two innings.

With the season two weeks away, Dreifort appears certain to make the team as a reliever. And Manager Tom Lasorda, saying he already has five starters, added that he wouldn’t have a problem putting Park in the bullpen, but he gave no indication what the club might actually do.

Park, 20, is beginning to make the decision easier. Even though Park is a starter, the Dodgers are leaning toward putting him in the bullpen to nurse him along rather than starting him at triple-A Albuquerque. With Ramon Martinez inconsistent the last two seasons and Kevin Gross coming back from shoulder tendinitis, the Dodgers seem to be trying to find a way to put Park in the rotation. He has been in it all spring, twice pitching instead of regulars. He could make the team as a reliever and be ready to take over if a starter falters. A trade is also possible.

When Park faced the Expos last, he was nervous. That game was televised back to Korea, and his four innings were marked by confusion. But there was none of that Monday.

Over pasta Sunday night, Lasorda told Park not to hesitate in his delivery anymore, for fear of balk calls. Park then showed he didn’t need tricks to deceive the hitters.

“It looks like the Dodgers made a good investment,” Expo Manager Felipe Alou said.

Dreifort was equally impressive.

“His fastball moves better than any right-hander’s I have ever seen,” pitching coach Ron Perranoski said.

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When light-hitting shortstop Rafael Bournigal homered to left field, he stopped at second base. The umpire had to tell him the ball went out.

“I’m not used to hitting homers,” Bournigal said. “When I got back to the bench, those guys were all over me.”

Third base coach Joey Almalfitano told Bournigal: “When it leaves the park, then it’s a home run.”