Padre Notebook : Leftover Players Are Good Enough to Beat the Cubs

Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn didn’t really want to go to Vancouver, B.C., when the team split up the other day, but Goose Gossage told him: “Ah, those people keep hearing about this guy Tony Gwynn. They want to see you, man.”

So the people in Arizona were left Saturday to see all the no-name Padres, the players who didn’t make the trip north.

Guys such as Benito Santiago, Roberto Alomar and Sandy Alomar Jr.

It was a good show anyway.

Santiago, being tabbed as the Padre catcher of tomorrow, hit a grand slam to highlight an eight-run fifth inning during San Diego’s 15-8 victory over the Chicago Cubs. He also demonstrated the throwing arm the front office brags about. Cub catcher Steve Lake tried stealing and Santiago’s throw to second base beat him by 15 feet.

Second baseman Roberto Alomar, the son of Padre first base coach Sandy Alomar Sr., turned a double play and dove to rob pitcher Warren Brusstar of a hit. Sandy Alomar Jr., a catcher, hit a solo home run in the eighth inning.

Former Cub Carmelo Martinez went 3 for 5 with five RBIs, including a three-run home run and a triple.

This wasn’t Wrigley Field, but the wind was blowing out Saturday.

Eigh had been the most runs the Padres had scored this spring, and they equaled that with one inning Saturday. Overall, they had 13 hits.

Padre starter Mark Thurmond gave up four runs in three innings, and Craig Lefferts yielded two homers and four runs.

The Cubs and Padres play again today.