Spring Training / Padres : Hoyt Will Definitely Start Season Opener : Right-Hander Pitches Six Strong Innings in Victory Over Milwaukee

One by one, probabilities are turning into certainties as spring training comes to a close.

After right-hander LaMarr Hoyt pitched six strong innings against the Milwaukee Brewers in Sunday’s 4-3 Padre victory, Manager Dick Williams said that Hoyt will definitely open the season against the Giants at San Francisco on April 9.

Hoyt, who hasn’t been overly effective in spring training, allowed just five hits, one earned run and two walks against the Brewers.

“I was very pleased with the way he pitched,” Williams said. “They shouldn’t have had any runs off him.”

Padre shortstop Garry Templeton’s first-inning throwing error enabled two runners to score. A good throw would have completed an inning-ending double play.

Hoyt’s performance was particularly encouraging because he was bombed in his last outing. He gave up seven runs on eight hits in three innings in a 12-6 loss to the Oakland A’s.

“He’s similar to Catfish Hunter in that if he had to make a ballclub in the spring, he’d be in trouble,” Williams said.

There’s another similarity. Hunter used to be on the mound for the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees on opening day.

And that’s exactly where Hoyt will be on April 9.

If Sunday afternoon’s game had taken place during the regular season, the Brewers probably would have closed their clubhouse after the game.

It was that kind of game.

The Padres trailed, 3-2, and had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning. Kevin McReynolds flew out to Ben Oglivie in short right field.

Jerry Davis didn’t even bluff coming home from third. However, when Oglivie’s throw bounced past catcher Ted Simmons and into the Padre dugout, both Davis and Mario Ramirez scored.

That play capped a three-run ninth-inning rally that enabled the Padres to win their fifth straight.

“Well, we really only won four of them,” Williams said.

Padre second baseman Alan Wiggins, who strained ligaments in his right knee in Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Indians, underwent treatment on Sunday and then limped out of the clubhouse on crutches. He is expected to be out of action for 7 to 10 days.

While Wiggins is out of the lineup, Williams said that Tim Flannery will get “first crack at the second base position.” Williams mentioned that he might also use Jerry Royster at second base against right-handers. When a left-hander is pitching against the Padres, Royster will probably be at third base.

If Wiggins is out of the lineup longer than expected, Williams said he might try Flannery, Al Bumbry and Templeton in the leadoff spot.

Williams also said that if Giant left-hander Atlee Hammaker starts the opener against the Padres, Davis will start in left field.

Finally, there is some controversy in what has otherwise been an uneventful training camp: What color shoes will be the Padres wear with their new uniforms?

Light brown, dark brown, white and brown with white stripes are some of the possibilities.

“One pair looks like a Nestles chocolate bar,” Flannery said.

Last week, Flannery was forced to put on a modeling display in the clubhouse.

“I wore different shoes for a half-hour,” he said. “We wanted to see which would get the loudest cheers . . .

“None did. We’re still kind of waiting.”

Padre Notes

Greg Booker pitched two scoreless innings, and Tim Stoddard gave up a run in one inning in Sunday’s win. In seven spring appearances, Booker has allowed only three earned runs in 13 innings. . . . Tony Gwynn had two singles on Sunday to raise his spring average to .351. He has hit safely in 14 of the 18 games in which he has batted. . . . In their final exhibition games at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, the Padres play host to the Brewers today and the Cubs on Tuesday. Both games start at noon and will be broadcast on KFMB-76 AM.