CONFIDENT PARK EARNS 16TH WIN DODGERS 1, ARIZONA 0.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

There's a bundle of reasons the Dodgers want to lock up right-hander Chan Ho Park far beyond 2001, and those reasons came together in a tidy package Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

Pitching another gem in what's turned into a rebirth season, Park pitched eight shutout innings and won his career-high 16th game as the Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0. The Dodgers' fifth straight win moved them within a half-game of Arizona for second place the National League West.

Yet as good as Park was, it took second baseman Mark Grudzielanek's two-out single to right in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Dodgers a lead. Tom Goodwin began the mini-rally with a two-out single to center. He stole second and scored on Grudzielanek's grounder through the right side.

Even so, Grudzielanek was certainly a piece of the background, while Park moved front and center.

``(Park) was very focused,'' Dodgers manager Davey Johnson said. ``It's a tough-hitting ballclub and he handled them easy. He got in the jam in the eighth inning (first and third, one out), and I wasn't really that worried. I knew he'd rise to the occasion. I've seen him do it all year.''

Park also matched Hideo Nomo for most wins in a season by an Asian-born pitcher. Park is 16-10 with a 3.53 ERA. Nomo won 16 in 1996 for the Dodgers.

``Coming in behind Chan Ho and slamming the door is very, very sweet, because he's been working so hard to get that 16th win, and I'm glad he was able to do that,'' said closer Jeff Shaw, who pitched a perfect ninth for his 26th save. ``He's a lot more mentally tough than he was last year. And he's starting to believe that instead of shying away from (tough) situations, he going right after them.''

For Park, it's the kind of season the Dodgers anticipated in 1999 but didn't get. He was 13-11 with a 5.23 ERA and melted down time and again in huge spots. A trusting bond with catcher Chad Kreuter has helped in Park's awesome development.

Park allowed six hits, walked four and struck out eight, including the last two batters he faced. He fanned Diamondbacks center fielder Steve Finley with runners on first and third with one out in the eighth and struck out Matt Williams to end the threat. The strikeout of Williams was Park's 191st of the season, tying the career high he established in 1998.

``I was looking for a strikeout (of Finley) instead of a ground ball,''Park said. ``If it's a ground ball, I give up a run. I thought it was better to throw a 3-2 curve because he was swinging at it. That gave me confidence with Williams. I'm happy about it. I don't care about the 16th win.''

DODGERS vs. ARIZONA

Time: 7:05 p.m., Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: The Dodgers conclude a three-game series by throwing right-hander Darren Dreifort (11-8, 4.53 ERA) against Diamondbacks lefty Randy Johnson (18-6, 2.38). The start will be the 30th this year for Dreifort, marking a career high. Johnson leads the league in ERA, strikeouts (326), winning percentage (.750), shutouts (3) and complete games (8). He's 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA against the Dodgers.

- Brian Dohn

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo: (1) SNIDER

(2) SHEFFIELD

Box: (1) CHASING DUKE

(2) DODGERS vs. ARIZONA (see text)