DODGERS FALL TO PIRATES : PARK'S START A SHAKY ONE PITTSBURGH 3, DODGERS 1.

Byline: Kevin Acee Daily News Staff Writer

Chan Ho Park is a work in progress.

Nothing was decided in the Dodgers' 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night, in which Park fell behind 2-0 after 13 pitches and left trailing 3-1 after six innings.

The decision was made this spring to make the 23-year-old Park the fifth starter over 39-year-old knuckleballer Tom Candiotti.

``At what point do you let him go out there and learn?'' Dodgers pitching coach Dave Wallace asked, rhetorically, before the game. ``This is the time. Let's give him the ball and see what he can do.''

The Dodgers decided to have Park essentially learn how to pitch in the big leagues - in the big leagues. So they will take their time and let him take his time.

The Dodgers' schedule, as Wallace said, ``works out in our favor.'' They can bring Park along slowly.

He will not come back five days from now and start. The Dodgers have five off-days this month. Not until May 1 will Park start another game. Regardless of what happened Saturday night, he was going to get that chance.

``Right now Chan Ho is our fifth starter,'' manager Bill Russell said. ``Tomorrow he'll go to the bullpen until we need him (to start) again. When that time comes he'll be our starter again.''

Earlier this week, Park downplayed the significance of Saturday's start.

``It's normal,'' he said. ``It's just my first start of the season.''

In Wallace's estimation, it was last season, while making 10 substitute starts for the injured Ramon Martinez and Candiotti, that Park really earned this chance.

``The way he handled that role when he had to go in and start when Ramon went down,'' Wallace said. ``And then to return to the (bullpen), and then he started some more when Candiotti (was injured). Then he returned to the (bullpen). That was a tremendous experience for him. To see how he handled that was good.''

One concern in spring training was about Park's control. He cut down on the walks. He did not walk any Saturday, and 60 of his 90 pitches were strikes.

Now it is a matter of confidence. While Park walks with a bit of a swagger these days, Wallace is waiting for him to truly believe in himself. Already in possession of one of the strongest arms in the league, if Park gets the attitude of a Martinez or Hideo Nomo, he could dominate.

Wallace points to Park's rapid learning of English as indicative of his desire to improve.

Saturday was a good sign as well.

Park gave up a single to leadoff batter Tony Womack and a home run to the next batter, Jermaine Allensworth, in the first inning. He then pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just one baserunner.

He also started the rally that produced the Dodgers' only run in the third inning. He hit a one-out single, went to third on Brett Butler's single to center field and scored on Wilton Guerrero's grounder to second.

Back-to-back singles and a ground ball scored the Pirates' third run in the fifth inning. Park proceeded to pitch a perfect sixth inning before giving way to Candiotti, of all people.

The Dodgers went down in order in the fourth and fifth innings. They got another baserunner in the sixth and had a real chance in the seventh.

With two outs, Todd Zeile broke an 0-for-15 start with a single through the left side. Greg Gagne followed with a single that sent Zeile to third base. But Wayne Kirby, pinch hitting for Candiotti, struck out on four pitches.

That was the Dodgers' last gasp, as Park lost to another young pitcher getting a chance to learn the ropes in the big leagues.

Francisco Cordova, who will be 25 later this month and who was one of the Pirates' closers last season, allowed six hits and the run in seven innings

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Photo: (color) Dodgers starter Chan Ho Park gets a new ball after giving up a homer to the Pirates' Jermaine Allensworth, who rounds third.

Evan Yee / Daily News