Padre Notebook : Here’s a Switch: Flannery Jams Cubs’ Sutcliffe

The Chicago Cubs started pitcher Rick Sutcliffe against the Padres on Sunday, and instead of jamming hitters, Sutcliffe jammed his thumb.

Padre leadoff man Tim Flannery hit the game’s second pitch back to Sutcliffe, whose first instinct was to snare it with his bare hand.

His thumb got in the way.

X-rays proved negative, however, and Sutcliffe said he could be pitching again in a matter of days.

It was quite a scare for the Cubs. Last year, hamstring and shoulder injuries kept Sutcliffe from duplicating his Cy Young Award season of 1984.

“I mean, it was there and you just try and knock it down,” Sutcliffe said. “And the next thing you know, your thumb puffs all up . . . I don’t know what this is. I think it’s just a little jam, though.”

Eric Show tossed five shutout innings and John Kruk had three hits as the Padres defeated the Cubs in Vancouver, B.C..

Show allowed no hits and struck out one in gaining his first Cactus League victory against two losses. A first inning walk to David Martinez was the only baserunner he allowed.

San Diego scored all its runs in the second inning off loser Gary Parmenter.

The Cubs threatened in the eighth, putting runners on first and third on singles by Jerry Mumphrey and Brian Dayette. But Padre reliever Greg Booker got Damon Berryhill to ground into a double play to preserve the shutout.

Deacon Jones, Padre batting instructor was admitted to Mesa Lutheran Hospital Saturday. When Jones awoke Saturday morning and jogged to get a newspaper, he felt chest pains. He ignored it, went to the ballpark and threw batting practice. Afterward, the chest pains grew more severe, and he was admitted the hospital.

Padre officials said they didn’t announce Jones’ situation because Jones’ wife, Tiki, hadn’t been notified.

Jones underwent more tests Sunday and should be released today.

The Padres managed to lose Sunday’s game, 5-4. Cub catcher Steve Lake had the game-winning RBI against Gene Walter.

Still, action was highlighted by the play of some new Padres. On Saturday, catchers Benito Santiago and Sandy Alomar Jr. hit homers in Arizona; infielder Joey Cora went 2 for 3 with a single and a triple in Vancouver, B.C. Bip Roberts also had a triple Saturday.

On Sunday, Santiago again hit safely and scored a run.

Padre veterans were talking about it in the dugout Sunday.

Bobby Brown to Flannery: “That Cora kid will be up in the big leagues before you know it.”

Garry Templeton to Brown: “I know it.”

Padre Triple-A Manager Larry Bowa to them all: “I’ll betcha he’s in my hip pocket instead.”

Cora, 20, probably is a year or two away.

Bowa is not yet a year into retirement. He doesn’t miss playing, though.

“No, I made up my mind during last year’s spring training,” Bowa said of retirement. “So I really don’t think I will (get the itch to play again). I played a long time, and I’m satisfied with what I did. And I’m looking forward to the new challenge (managing).”

Bob Patterson and Jimmy Jones each singled on Sunday, the first hits from any Padre pitcher this spring.

Tim Flannery recently signed a contract extension that includes a drug-testing clause.

“I’ll take a test after every at-bat,” he said. “I’m sick of hearing about drugs.”

The Padres purchased minor league right-hander Dick Grapenthin from Montreal on Saturday. He will be assigned to Triple-A. Wire reports said a player to be named would be sent to the Expos as part of the deal, but the Padres said Sunday that it’s a straight purchase.

The Padre players who traveled to Vancouver for the weekend series will get today off. The ones who stayed in Arizona will play a Seattle Mariner “B” team this morning.