Johnson’s a Bit Puzzled About Park

The Dodgers don’t know what to do about pitcher Chan Ho Park.

Park dropped to 4-6 with a 5.54 earned-run average after getting pounded in an 8-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.

Manager Davey Johnson is perplexed about Park’s poor performance this season, acknowledging he has been a big disappointment. Catcher Todd Hundley believes the problems are in Park’s mind.

“It’s nothing physical, that’s for sure,” Hundley said. “The guy has great stuff. You don’t accomplish what he has in this game if you don’t have great stuff, it’s as simple as that.

“Sometimes, I think he just analyzes things too much. He tries to do too much instead of just being aggressive--instead of just being Chan Ho Park.”

*

Todd Hollandsworth started at first base Saturday and in center field Sunday against the Giants. Where’s he headed next?

“I like to get Holly in there wherever I can,” Johnson said. “I told Holly in the off-season that he was going to play a lot, and I’m trying to give him as many opportunities I can now that he’s healthy. He brings some energy to the lineup, and that’s what we need.”

Said Hollandsworth: “Just tell me where I should show up and which glove to bring.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--San Diego Padres, three games.

* Site--Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Channel 5 tonight, Fox Sports West 2 on Wednesday and Thursday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 34-39, Padres 35-38.

* Record vs. Padres--1-5.

* Tickets--(323) 224-1448.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ ISMAEL VALDES (5-7, 3.71 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ ANDY ASHBY (7-4, 3.49 ERA)

* Update--San Diego is the hottest team in the majors leagues. The Padres have won 10 in a row and have moved ahead of the last-place Dodgers in the National League West. The Padres have taken five of six from the Dodgers this season, including sweeping their Southland neighbors in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium last week. Things remain cool between Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone and Kevin Towers, his San Diego counterpart, because of tongue-in-cheek comments Malone made about the rebuilding Padres during spring training. Padre owner John Moores didn’t help the situation by requesting, according to a Dodger official, that the Padres play money-themed songs at Qualcomm Stadium when Kevin Brown pitched during the previous series there. Despite pitching well, Valdes has lost five in a row. The Dodger offense has not provided Valdes with much support, but the right-hander remains optimistic. “You have to keep having confidence in your team,” Valdes said. “If I can just keep my team in the game, they will score runs for me [eventually]. It’s going to happen.”

* Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.--Kevin Brown (9-4, 2.89) vs. Brian Boehringer (4-1, 2.77).

* Thursday, 2 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (6-6, 5.67) vs. Matt Clement (4-7, 4.76).