By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Los Angeles Dodgers' Park Chan-ho continued his impressive delivery in a 6-0 whitewash against state rivals Los Angeles Angels.
The right-handed pitcher, who has spent most of the season in the bullpen, took the mound in his third start of the season on Friday night (Saturday KST) and threw six scoreless innings and yielded four hits with no walks, while striking out seven.
Facing the American League (AL) West division leader, the former All-Star hurler, who started just once for the New York Mets before being released last year, threw 90 pitches, fooling the opposing team with his fastball, which touched the mid-150 kph range, and sharp slider.
Park, who came into the game with a 2-2 record, reduced his ERA to 2.52, and he is 1-0 with a 1.20 in his three starts, two against the Angels and one against the Cleveland Indians, this season.
With the impressive victory, the 15-year veteran, who will turn 35 Monday, tasted a win as a starting pitcher for the first time since July 26, 2006, when he played for the San Diego Padres.
Park, who compiled 80-54 with the Dodgers before leaving for the Texas Rangers in 2001, claimed the first win in a starting role at Dodger Stadium since Sept. 26 2001 against the division rival San Francisco Giants.
``A little bit of every thing,'' he credited for his stunning comeback from struggles beset by injuries.
``A little bit mechanics, a better mentality, better family support.
``Better city? Better teammates? I don't know. I had some injuries. When you're healthy, it's easier to trust yourself,'' he told reporters after the game.
Manager Joe Torre praised his tentative starter.
``I don't know where we'd be without him,'' he said.
``He's throwing hard, when you consider all the injuries over the years and you see his live arm.''
In the first inning with one out and runners on first and third, Park was bailed out by getting Vladmir Guerrero, who was 15-for-47 with four home runs against him before the game, to ground into a double play.
Park retired the Angles through the fifth innings, allowing only one infield single.
Shortstop Erick Aybar led off the sixth inning with a double and reached third on an error by second baseman Jeff Kent.
However, determined Park struck out Howie Kendrick and induced Garret Anderson, who had a hit in the first at-bat, to pop up to centerfielder Matt Kemp to end the inning.
``I wouldn't' say we were too anxious,'' said Torrie Hunter, who went 0-for-2 against Park on the night.
``He was just that good. He had his slider going.''
As for the Dodgers, All-Star catcher Russell Martin went deep for his eighth of the season for a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
And they added two runs on Jeff Kent's sacrifice fly and James Loney's single in the fifth.
Pinch hitter Andre Ethier had a three-run homer off reliever Justin Speier in the seventh to seal the game.