Padre Notebook : Who’s on Second Remains a Question, and Mystery

Finally, the Padres have figured what to do about their second base situation. And the decision is . . . more indecision.

That means Bip Roberts and Tim Flannery are going to platoon until one wins the job.

Roberts, a switch-hitter, will start Monday’s opener against Dodger left-hander Fernando Valenzuela. Flannery, a left-handed hitter, will start the next night against right-hander Orel Hershiser.

Manager Steve Boros, who has yet to announce a starter, said the decision “isn’t earth shattering.”

“My feeling is that whoever is getting the job done will play,” Boros said. “This doesn’t mean one of them will be the second baseman for one month, three months or 162 games.”

Flannery platooned at second base with Jerry Royster last season, a combination the Padres called Timry Flanster. Maybe the new combination could be called Flannerts or Robery. Or maybe it is better left as Flannery and Roberts.

“I love to platoon,” Flannery said. “That to me was great last year. You’re always strong because you get a day off now and then. The way I play, I don’t hold back.”

Flannery was batting .339 before Tuesday night’s exhibition game against the Angels. Roberts was batting .262.

Each player will bat leadoff during the regular season. Flannery had a team-leading on-base percentage of .386 last year. Roberts had 40 stolen bases in 105 games, tying for the league-lead in the Double A Eastern League.

“Whatever they want me to do, I’ll do it,” Roberts said. “I just thank the Lord I was able to make the team.”

Tony Gwynn’s grand slam highlighted an eight-run fourth inning as the Padres defeated the Angels, 8-4, Tuesday night at Anaheim Stadium. Graig Nettles and Garry Templeton hit two-run singles.

Winning pitcher Andy Hawkins allowed one run on three hits in six innings, walking three and striking out two.

Gene Walter pitched a scoreless seventh, allowing one hit. Goose Gossage allowed three runs in the final two innings on a solo home run by former New York Yankee teammate, Reggie Jackson, and a two-run homer by Bobby Grich.

LaMarr Hoyt pitched well during 15 minutes of batting practice Tuesday, but the Padres are afraid he is rushing himself since returning last week from a substance-abuse rehabilitation center.

“I told him to slow down a couple of times, but he still stayed the same,” said Galen Cisco, Padre pitching coach. “I’m not saying he was throwing too hard because he’s the only guy who knows how good he feels. Hopefully, he won’t rush things. We expect him to be ready down the road, not by the sixth of the month. If we lose a week because he tried to go too fast too soon, we’ve defeated the purpose. We just don’t want any setbacks.”

Boros said Hoyt will pitch batting practice Thursday and in his first game situation Saturday or Sunday against Minnesota in Las Vegas. After Hoyt pitches against the Twins, the Padres will decide whether to carry him on their opening day roster, Boros said.

The Padres will play host to the Angels at 7:05 tonight and San Diego State Thursday night at 7:05 in Jack Murphy Stadium.

Mark Thurmond will pitch tonight against the Angels’ Mike Witt. Eric Show and Dave Dravecky will pitch against SDSU.