Sheffield Gets High Marks From Clark

Batting instructor Jack Clark was one of baseball’s top clutch hitters in the 1980s, as Dodger fans can attest.

The first-year coach said the Dodgers have one of today’s best in left fielder Gary Sheffield.

“Some guys just like being in those situations, and he’s one of them,” Clark said. “With guys like Sheff, there’s confidence because you’ve done it before. You believe in your abilities, and you believe your abilities are as good or better than anyone else. You have to believe you’re better than anybody else at that time.

“Before the game starts, you look forward to that situation. You’re absolutely looking forward to it, and you want to be up there. It’s just like Michael Jordan wanting to take that shot at the end of the game. Yeah, you don’t get the hit or the home run all the time, but you want the chance to be in that spot.”

So, was Clark better than Sheffield in the clutch?

“He’s a much smarter hitter than I was, and he probably has more ability,” Clark said. “He’s a very, very dangerous hitter. We’re both guys that let it go with tremendous bat speed, and those kind of guys are very dangerous. Those are the guys who stick a dagger in your heart because they attack so quick.”

*

Starter Chan Ho Park said he appreciated the concern Manager Jim Tracy, pitching coach Jim Colborn and catcher Chad Kreuter expressed Sunday after his second poor outing in three starts.

Tracy and Kreuter were especially critical of Park, seemingly questioning his competitiveness.

Tracy and Kreuter publicly clarified their comments Tuesday, and Colborn has spoken often with Park since Sunday’s 6-5 loss to the New York Mets.

“You know, one thing is true, too many people love me,” Park said. “Too many guys love me on this team. They care about me.”

*

Versatile reliever Giovanni Carrara, who has worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings in the first two games against the Florida Marlins, might be used in more setup situations down the stretch, Tracy said.

Setup man Matt Herges has struggled in the second half, and Mike Trombley is 0-2 with a 6.75 earned-run average in nine appearances.

*

Herges was not available for the first two games because of flu-like symptoms.

Herges, in bed most of Tuesday, joined the club at Pro Player Stadium for Wednesday’s 8-6 loss. The right-hander might be available today, Tracy said.

*

Kevin Brown (torn muscle on pitching elbow) is scheduled to resume his throwing program today.

Brown is expected to be activated from the disabled list and pitch Sunday in relief against the Atlanta Braves.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

JAMES BALDWIN

(1-1, 3.81 ERA)

vs.

MARLINS’

RYAN DEMPSTER

(14-10, 4.46 ERA)

Pro Player Stadium, 4 PDT

TV--Channel 5

Radio--KXTA (1150) KWKW (1330)

Update--Baldwin, making his fifth start for the Dodgers, had a season-high nine strikeouts last Saturday against the New York Mets in a no-decision. Dempster, an all-star last season, is 1-1 with a 1.23 earned-run average in three starts against the Dodgers.