Park, Shaw Get Nod, Not Lo Duca

Two Dodgers were selected Wednesday among the National League reserves for the All-Star game--but catcher Paul Lo Duca was not one of them.

Starter Chan Ho Park earned his first selection and closer Jeff Shaw his second, but the Dodgers were disappointed because Lo Duca was not on the list for Tuesday’s game at Safeco Field in Seattle.

“He’s definitely a guy who deserved an opportunity to be on that club,” said Manager Jim Tracy of Lo Duca, who is batting .352 with 14 home runs and 44 runs batted in.

“But I’m sure that there are cases like that on a lot of clubs, where managers feel the same way about some of the individuals on their teams.”

However, Tracy had reason to be pleased because Park and Shaw made the cut.

With a streak of 14 consecutive quality starts, Park has anchored a rotation shuffled frequently because of injuries.

The right-hander, who can become a free agent after the season, is 8-5 with a 2.91 earned-run average.

“I’m nervous because it’s my first time,” said Park, among the majors’ leaders in most categories. “Maybe I need to ask someone [what to do], that’s why my parents, my sister and my niece [are visiting from South Korea].

“[On] second thought, I’m not going to take them to Seattle because I’m going to be very busy. They better watch on the TV.”

Shaw, second in the league with 24 saves, also represented the Dodgers in the 1998 All-Star game at Coors Field in Denver.

“I’m just a humble person and I just say, ‘Thanks,’ ” said Shaw, 3-2 with a 3.07 ERA in 42 appearances. “I’ve said this before: You’re only as good as your setup guys.”

Although Lo Duca hoped to be chosen, the first-year starter said team goals are more important.

“I’m disappointed, but the biggest thing is this team winning,” said Lo Duca, an eight-year minor leaguer. “There are a lot of guys who had better years than me and didn’t get selected. I’d be stupid to say I’m not disappointed, but it happens.

“I’m a young guy in this league. There are a lot of guys having the same kind of year I’m having. They got selected because they’ve been around, and that’s the way it should be.”

In an ironic twist, two previous Dodger everyday catchers were selected.

New York Met Manager Bobby Valentine, who will lead the squad against the American League, chose Charles Johnson of the Florida Marlins as a backup to Mike Piazza, who earned his seventh start and ninth All-Star appearance. Johnson is batting .294 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs.

Piazza’s status is uncertain because of a broken toe, and Lo Duca might be a late addition to the roster if Piazza cannot play.

That’s fine with Lo Duca.

“If they do, they do,” he said. “I’ll go, of course, but right now I’m going on vacation with my wife.”

Tracy plans to realign the rotation after the All-Star break to split up Nos. 1 and 2 starters Kevin Brown and Park. . . . Starter Luke Prokopec has a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. Tracy said the right-hander, who has received treatment, is still expected to start Sunday against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK

(8-5, 2.91 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’ RUSS ORTIZ

(8-5, 3.36 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7

TV--Channel 5. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Update--Park has 44 strikeouts in his last 44 2/3 innings. Ortiz is 1-3 with a 7.94 ERA in six games against the Dodgers.