Park Could Cash In on Big Season

Chan Ho Park is putting himself in position to become one of baseball’s highest-paid pitchers next season.

Park improved to 13-8 and lowered his earned-run average from 3.97 to 3.66 in consecutive dominant outings.

The right-hander had a four-hit, 10-strikeout complete game Aug. 19 in a 4-1 victory over the New York Mets.

He worked seven shutout innings, with seven strikeouts, Thursday in a 7-0 victory over the Montreal Expos.

Park will make $4.25 million this season in salary and performance bonuses. He will be eligible for salary arbitration after the season and free agency after 2001.

Dodger officials are reluctant to comment about their off-season plans because they’re trying to convince themselves that the team still has a chance in the National League West race.

“He’s definitely in our plans,” General Manager Kevin Malone said of Park, who has a 1.76 ERA in his last four starts.

“We’re not going to address any issues about the off-season until the off-season, but it’s fair to say we want Chan Ho to be here for a long time.”

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The Dodgers are considering continuing their triple-A affiliation with the club that is moving from Albuquerque to Portland, Ore.

The Albuquerque Dukes are moving because Portland Family Entertainment Inc. purchased the franchise.

After meeting with the new owners Thursday in Portland, President Bob Graziano signed a letter of intent to extend the clubs’ agreement.

However, Dodger officials said that was only a formality to meet a deadline in negotiations.

The Dodgers are still considering other options, including Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Stars want to become the Dodgers’ triple-A affiliate beginning next season.

The Stars have filed their intention to seek reaffiliation, which could lead to a break from the San Diego Padre farm system.

The Dodgers are interested in Las Vegas, but Graziano also believes Portland could work well for them.

“Bob spent time in Portland with the new ownership group and was extremely impressed,” said Derrick Hall, senior vice president. “He was impressed with the organization as well as the new ballpark [still under construction].

“The letter of intent is a formality, but Bob felt more confident with the Portland group after the meeting.”

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Left fielder Gary Sheffield, who remained in Los Angeles because of flu, might not rejoin the club until Monday.

Sheffield is serving a five-game suspension stemming from a May 16 melee with fans at Wrigley Field, and he will be eligible to play Sunday in the final game of a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

However, the Dodgers are concerned that other players might become ill if Sheffield returns before he has recovered.

Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was sidelined eight days in July because of an unexplained viral infection, and Park missed a scheduled start Aug. 16 because of flu-like symptoms.

Contacted at home Friday, Sheffield’s wife, DeLeon, said Sheffield was still bedridden.

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Manager Davey Johnson might reinstate Carlos Perez to the rotation after his strong performance in Friday’s 3-1 victory over the Cubs in the second game of a doubleheader.

“We [Johnson and Malone] talked about it last week, that this would be a good chance for him,” Johnson said. “We’re going against some clubs I’d like to see him pitch against, and he’s not really the ideal left-hander out of the pen.

“There’s a chance he could be back in there. We’ll take a look at it after this weekend.”

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Center fielder Devon White suffered a strained left quadriceps muscle in the second game, Johnson said.

The Dodgers are considering recalling outfielder Bruce Aven from triple-A Albuquerque, and optioning right-hander Mike Judd to Albuquerque.

TODAY

DODGERS’

MATT HERGES

(8-3, 3.56 ERA)

vs.

CUBS’

KEVIN TAPANI

(8-10, 4.53 ERA)

Wrigley Field, 10:15 a.m. PDT

TV--Channel 11.

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

* Update--Herges is 0-3 with a 5.55 ERA in three starts since being promoted to the rotation. The rookie right-hander has pitched six innings in each outing. The Dodgers tried to reacquire Tapani, who briefly pitched for them in 1995, before the non-waiver trading deadline. The right-hander is second on the Cubs with 180 2/3 innings and 140 strikeouts.