It’s a Show of Strength by Sheffield

Gary Sheffield might not have enough time or help to prevent another disappointing Dodger ending.

But he won’t stop trying.

Sheffield provided power again Saturday afternoon in a 4-1 victory over the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium, hitting two home runs to match the Los Angeles single-season franchise record of 40.

The all-star left fielder tied the mark that catcher Mike Piazza, now with the Mets, established in 1997, supporting starter Chan Ho Park in one of the most stirring starts of his career.

Park (12-8) dominated the hot Mets only three days after being scratched from a scheduled start because of flulike symptoms.

The right-hander was overpowering in a four-hit, 10-strikeout complete game that complemented Sheffield’s 21st career multi-homer game and sixth this season.

That combination helped the Dodgers (62-59) remain eight games behind the first-place San Francisco Giants in the National League West.

The Mets (73-50)--9-3 in their last 12 games--trail the Atlanta Braves by only 1 1/2 games in the East. They have a 3 1/2-game lead in the NL wild-card race.

Sheffield and Park formed a powerful tandem, Manager Davey Johnson said.

“Chan Ho was just dealing, no doubt about it,” said Johnson, whose team won for only the third time in nine games. “What can you say about Sheff? He’s just special, and he’s been special all year.”

Sheffield said the bigger picture is all that matters.

“It’s about everybody taking it upon themselves now, bringing the same intensity every day and not worrying about the past,” said Sheffield, who needs only three homers to tie Hall of Fame outfielder Duke Snider for the combined Brooklyn-Los Angeles record.

“Right now, everything is clicking on all cylinders [for him], but Mike Piazza has years like this year in and year out. Mike Piazza is probably the greatest hitting catcher I’ve ever seen.

“It’s just an honor to be in his company. He’s a great player and a good friend.”

Piazza, given the day off, had a front-row seat for the show-stopping performances Sheffield and Park delivered before a sellout crowd of 53,041.

“I had a good fastball, good changeup and good curveball,” said Park, who had his sixth career complete game, second this season and matched his personal best, giving up only four hits. “Everything was good.”

For Sheffield too.

Players said it was fitting Piazza was in attendance for Sheffield’s record-tying performance.

“Sheff has been unbelievable,” said first baseman Eric Karros, who hit his 28th homer. “To have 40 home runs in this ballpark in August . . . I haven’t seen it.

“I thought I had seen as good a season as anyone could have in this ballpark in 1997 with Mike. Sheff is obviously going to blow that out of the water. Just unbelievable.”

Sheffield, three for three with a walk, also impressed the co-record holder.

“Sheff has tremendous bat speed and patience,” said Piazza, the league’s leading most-valuable-player candidate. “He’s a great player and I love watching him hit.”

The Mets’ pitching staff is less enthusiastic.

After Park gave up a solo homer to Derek Bell in the first, Sheffield gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead in the third with a one-out, two-run shot to left field on a first-pitch curveball from Met starter Rick Reed (7-4). Karros then hit a two-out solo homer--his first home run since July 25.

In the eighth, Sheffield led off with a blast to left-center on a 1-and-1 fastball from reliever Pat Mahomes.

“Everybody is happy for Sheff because he works real hard,” third baseman Adrian Beltre said. “Sheff is one of the best hitters in the league, and he’s pretty much been the guy all year.”

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That’s 40!

Gary Sheffield hit two home runs Saturday to give him 40 for the season, three shy of the Dodger record:

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HR Player 43 Duke Snider 42 Duke Snider (2) Gil Hodges 41 Roy Campanella 40 Gary Sheffield Gil Hodges Duke Snider (2) Mike Piazza

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Money Pit

Dodgers can’t match Giants’ talent, Ross Newhan writes. Page 6