DODGERS NOTEBOOK : PARK TAKES TO BULLPEN, IS NEARLY UNTOUCHABLE.Chan Ho Park poked at the keys on his English-to-Korean computer, searching for the meaning of ``killer instinct killer instinct n to have the killer instinct → ir a por todas killer instinct n → combativité f; to have the killer instinct → .'' ``Killer,'' he said, ``like `to kill'?'' Yes. Sort of. ``Instinct,'' he said and pushed more buttons. ``Oh. Only on the mound, though, right?'' Sure. ``Yeah,'' he said, ``I have a lot of confidence.'' Park, who broke through in the Dodgers' starting rotation in Ramon Martinez's absence, has been nearly untouchable untouchable Former classification of various low-status persons and those outside the Hindu caste system in Indian society. The term Dalit is now used for such people (in preference to Mohandas K. in the Dodgers' bullpen. He has not allowed a run in his past 10-1/3 innings, during which he has 16 strikeouts. In all, he has a 3-2 record and a 1.98 ERA, and has a 1.29 ERA in 21 relief innings, in which he has 31 strikeouts. ``I'm just comfortable,'' Park said. ``My arm feels good. I'm challenging them. Those starts, that was a good experience. Now I'm confident from that time. I believe in me. I'm a major-league pitcher. ``I feel like the same when I played in the minor leagues. But this is different. New. Sometimes I was nervous. Sometimes excited. Now I'm comfortable and confident. I throw a fastball and (the hitter) can't hit me.'' Park does feel the thrill of those strikeouts, which is where the subject of killer instinct came up. His fastball is consistently in the mid-'90s, and that is where his advantage is. ``Good hitters like (Bernard) Gilkey or Sammy Sosa Samuel Sosa Peralta (born November 12 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a designated hitter for the Texas Rangers of the American League. His Major League career began when he broke in with the Texas Rangers in 1989. or (Jim) Eisenreich,'' he said, ``when I get them out on strikeouts, it's very exciting.'' Not pitching: Ramon Martinez Ramon Martinez is the name of several people:
prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. manager Tom Lasorda, and therefore did not make his start against the Pittsburgh Pirates This article is about the baseball team. For the National Hockey League team, see Pittsburgh Pirates (NHL). For the National Football League team (1933–1940), see Pittsburgh Steelers. . Martinez was suffering other flu symptoms, not unlike what Eric Karros Martinez's next start has not been determined, though he will not pitch tonight when the Dodgers play host to the Cincinnati Reds. He missed six starts in April and May because of a groin strain suffered April 6 in Chicago but is 4-0 and has won 10 consecutive decisions over the past two seasons. |
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