Spring Training / Padres : Five Errors Are Costly in Loss to Indians

In their most unsettling exhibition since the World Series, the Padres made seven errors, two sartorial and five defensive, in a 9-5 loss to the Cleveland Indians here Wednesday.

They played mix ‘n’ match with the uniforms, thanks to some absent-mindedness by a couple of players.

The infield had more than its share of lapses, too. Playing it ultra-loose in the infield by committing five errors, the Padres made life difficult for starting pitcher Eric Show.

In his three-inning stint, Show permitted six unearned runs on four hits, only one of which was for extra bases.

More than anything, Show was hurt by poor fielding.

A two-base throwing error by third baseman George Hinshaw led to a Cleveland run in the first.

Back-to-back errors by second baseman Alan Wiggins in the third paved the way for two more runs. Julio Franco’s triple down the right-field line cleared the bases after the Wiggins errors and gave the Indians a 3-0 lead.

Mario Ramirez then got into the act, booting an Andre Thornton grounder and putting Cleveland ahead, 4-0. George Vuckovich singled in the fifth run, and after a walk, Jerry Willard’s sacrifice fly made it 6-0.

If Show was upset by the sloppiness, he concealed it well.

“I was throwing the ball great,” Show said. “I could go out there again, throw the same game and have a shutout. The odds are good on that, in fact.”

Show said he probably could have gone six innings, but there’s no need to rush things.

He wanted to work on his new pitch--a split-fingered fastball, shades of Bruce Sutter and Jack Morris--but was forced to rely mostly on his fastball and slider.

His chief goal this spring, he said, is to feel comfortable when the season-opener arrives.

The way to attain that state of mind, according to Show, is to have a short memory. In other words, wipe out thoughts of the playoffs and World Series, when he took a battering that sent his earned-run average into double figures.

Show expects repeated questioning on that subject and he has formulated an approach to handling it.

“I’m not on a self-pity trip, but I just don’t feel the need to express myself anymore,” he said. “Most guys write what they want, anyway.

“Last fall? Big deal. It’s in the past. It doesn’t mean a darn thing now. I want to get my body in shape this spring. My head is in shape.”

The Padres’ regular infield, with the exception of Wiggins, was engaged in the B squad game in Tempe. After Show’s departure, Wiggins was charged with a third error. Designated hitter Al Bumbry struck two doubles and a single, good for two RBIs.

Utilityman Jerry Royster was out with a sprained finger on his left hand. Royster’s injury isn’t believed to be serious and he may be able to swing a bat today.

The Padres face the Seattle Mariners today in Tempe. Dave Dravecky, Kevin Kristan and Rich Gossage will be among the pitchers in action.