DODGERS REPORT : Driving to Airport a Pleasant Experience for Park

How did Chan Ho Park celebrate Saturday night’s victory against the Chicago Cubs, his first at Dodger Stadium this season? By driving to Los Angeles International Airport where his father, Jeakun, caught a flight to Korea. At least they had something pleasant to talk about while waiting for the plane to depart.

“A lot better than if it was a loss,” the younger Park said.

Still excited about the outing when he arrived at the ballpark Sunday, Park said his first win in 12 starts at home resulted from staying calm and focused under difficult conditions.

“4-3 is a pretty good score for the fans,” he said. “But it’s not so good for the pitchers.”

Especially not when the Cubs loaded the bases with one out in the eighth inning. In similar situations this season, Park has kept half an eye on the dugout, waiting for Manager Davey Johnson to emerge.

“That’s the wrong thing,” Park said. “This time I was thinking only about the hitters. In my heart, I believed I could get out of the inning.”

Jeff Reed fouled out, Jose Nieves struck out and the young pitcher figures he showed Johnson and the fans that he is becoming mentally tougher.

“I have showed them many weak games,” Park said. “Now I can show them how strong I am.”

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The Dodgers will look for more pitching when the rosters expand next month.

Carlos Perez, scheduled for two more starts at Albuquerque, will get another chance, Johnson said. Right-hander Eric Gagne is also likely to be called up and left-hander Jeff Williams could get work out of the bullpen.

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When the Brewers open a three-game series against the Dodgers tonight, they will do so without All-Star catcher David Nilsson, who will miss the rest of the season because of a broken thumb.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Milwaukee Brewers, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7 p.m.

* TV--Fox Sports West 2.

* Radio--XTRA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 60-70, Brewers 57-72.

* Record vs. Brewers--5-1.

* Tickets--(323) 224-1448.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ KEVIN BROWN (14-5, 3.34 ERA) vs. BREWERS’ BILL PULSIPHER (3-4, 5.49 ERA)

* Update--Expect to see Devon White back in the lineup when the Dodgers starting tonight. Johnson figured his center fielder needed a break the last few days. “He was fighting himself a little bit,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to rob some playing time for some guys.” Meanwhile, Johnson is waiting patiently as pitchers Antonio Osuna and Robinson Checo recover from injuries. “I don’t know how it’s going,” the manager said. “Slow, I know that.”

* Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Mike Judd (2-1, 5.09 ERA) vs. Kyle Peterson (1-4, 3.28 ERA).

* Wednesday 4:30 p.m.--Ismael Valdes (9-11, 3.29 ERA) vs. Cal Eldred (1-7, 8.07 ERA)