Park Has Discovered Comfort Zone

Pitcher Chan Ho Park put on his sunglasses and reclined in his chair, looking every bit the star he has become.

The Dodger right-hander has emerged as the player team officials hoped he could be, exceeding even his own high expectations. But his growth emotionally is even more satisfying to Park.

He helped the Dodgers defeat the New York Mets, 2-1, Friday in a split-squad game at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla. Park pitched three scoreless innings, giving up three hits and striking out five without a walk.

It’s only spring training, but Park was pleased.

“I felt good, [but] I’ve been feeling good about everything,” said Park, who has been charged with only an unearned run in six exhibition innings. “Not just about my work, I feel good about my confidence. The confidence I feel now is important to me. That helps me relax because I’m not worried about anything.”

He has many reasons to feel secure.

Park, whose fastball has been clocked at 96 mph, is considered among the best starting pitchers in baseball at 25. He has improved each year and is coming off his best season, going 15-9 with a 3.71 earned-run average and 191 strikeouts in 220 2/3 innings.

That came on the heels of Park’s breakthrough sophomore campaign: 14-8 with a 3.38 ERA. Park will make $2.3 million this season in the final year of a two-year deal, and his next contract will be much bigger.

Not surprisingly, the South Korean native said his comfort level has helped his performance.

“I used to worry about going down to the minor leagues if I pitched bad, but I don’t worry about that anymore,” Park said. “I have more experience now, and I communicate better.

“My English is better now, so I don’t make as many mistakes. That helps me not be so nervous.”

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Park struck out New York catcher Mike Piazza, his former battery mate, in the first inning.

“I really don’t have too much experience facing him,” Park said. “He’s an outstanding hitter, he probably thought I was going to throw fastballs, but I threw him off-speed [pitches]. Maybe that will help me for next time.”

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The Dodgers defeated the Braves, 6-4, in their other split-squad game, at Orlando. Utilityman Scott Livingstone went two for three with a three-run home run against the Braves. Livingstone, who played third base Friday, could be a valuable reserve on the 25-man roster. . . . Reliever Alan Mills continued his strong performance by pitching two shutout innings to earn the victory against Atlanta. . . . The Dodgers have been trying to trade right-hander Dave Mlicki to the Philadelphia Phillies for their top pitching prospect: left-hander Randy Wolf. But the Phillies have refused to trade Wolf, who played at El Camino Real High and Pepperdine.