Everything’s Starting to Come Around for Templeton

It’s no wonder Padre shortstop Garry Templeton couldn’t remember the last time he had eight assists, was involved in turning over four double plays, and drove in the winning run in a game.

It doesn’t happen every night, every week or every month.

“I might have had a night like that in the middle of last season,” Templeton said, “but I don’t keep up with all that stuff.”

What he does know is that he now feels more comfortable physically and more confident than he has since coming to San Diego in 1982 or at least since the third game of last year’s playoff series against the Cubs.

“Everything is starting to come around again,” Templeton said after Tuesday night’s 2-1 Padre win over the San Francisco Giants.

Templeton was a silent, but instrumental hero in the type of low-scoring game that a shortstop and eighth-place hitter could dominate.

He was the front man on four double plays, including two shortstop-to-first double plays. The second one came after Goose Goosage allowed a leadoff single to Chili Davis in the ninth inning.

Jeff Leonard grounded the ball up the middle, and the graceful Templeton swooped it up, touched the bag and rifled the ball to first.

“I really love turning it myself,” Templeton said.

Being a part of four double plays in one game tied a Padre record for shortstops, which was previously held by Tommy Dean against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 16, 1979.

With Alan Wiggins joining Templeton in the starting lineup for the second night in a row, the middle of the Padre infield had a 1984 look to it.

“There’s no real difference in the way I play when Alan is in there,” Templeton said, “but it’s a little more comfortable because we know each other’s moves.

“We help each other out a lot, and we both adjust to where the other is playing.”

Tuesday night, Templeton always seemed to be in the right place. His backhanded stop of a hard grounder by Dan Gladden in the sixth inning was a perfect example.

Templeton did not only shine in the field. What appeared to be a big hit in the second inning became the winning hit after Bob Brenly hit a solo homer in the seventh inning to cut the Padres’ lead to 2-1.

In the second, Templeton, batting right-handed, pulled a Dave LaPoint changeup into left field to score Carmelo Martinez from second base.

With runners at first and second and nobody out, Templeton saw better pitches than he is used to seeing.

“I was hot in spring training and now I’m starting to hit again,” said Templeton, who was only 4 for 21 (.190) entering Tuesday night’s game. Templeton doubled to left field in the sixth inning to complete a 2 for 3 night.

Templeton’s partner at second also had a busy night, getting five putouts and two assists, and scoring the Padres’ first run.

The first inning was a familiar and comforting sight to Padre fans.

Wiggins slapped a single to center, advanced to second on a single by Tony Gwynn, and scored on Kevin McReynolds’ sacrifice fly to right.

For Wiggins, it was the first hit of the season and first run scored after a season in which he collected 154 hits and 106 runs scored.

“I’m not 100% yet,” Wiggins said, “but I’m close to it. Basically, I can do about what I used to be able to, but I’m somewhat limited.”

Wiggins didn’t start the Padres’ first five games because of a strained ligament in his right knee, and he’s still wearing a cumbersome knee brace.

Understandably, Wiggins said he was a little tentative when he had to complete his first double play Tuesday night.

In the fourth inning, Davis came racing into second base on a ground ball by Leonard.

“I was a little hesitant the first time,” Wiggins said, “but then again, not everybody is going to try and slide and hurt you like Brook Jacoby did.”

As the middle man on a shortstop-to-second-to-first double play one inning later, Wiggins said he felt more comfortable.

That feeling carried over to his partner.

“It sure feels good to play together again,” Templeton said.