Consecutive Homers Help Padres Salvage One From Astros, 5-1

Whenever it seems appropriate to write off the Padres for 1986, the team seems to say, “Wait a minute.”

Sunday afternoon was another case in point.

The Padres had lost two straight to division-leading Houston. Another loss would have dropped them 9 1/2 games behind in the National League West.

So what happened? The Padres beat Houston, 5-1, to pull to within 7 1/2 games of first place.

“With the way things have been going, I can’t think of one game more critical than today,” Manager Steve Boros said. “Everyone thinks we’re slipping out of it. We’re only a game behind the Dodgers and everyone says the Dodgers are in it. Why aren’t we considered as good of a contender as the Dodgers, who are a game ahead of us?”

Maybe it’s because the Padres have lost 10 of 15 games. Or maybe it’s because the Dodgers have won seven straight.

“My attitude,” Boros said, “is that we are due for one of those streaks.”

But when? The Padres have yet to win more than four straight this year.

Winning streaks are created by good pitching, good defense and timely hitting, all attributes of Sunday’s victory.

Andy Hawkins had his second consecutive strong outing, allowing one run in 7 innings. Goose Gossage earned his 18th save.

Graig Nettles made a nice catch of a line drive to start a second-inning double play. Tony Gwynn caught a sinking liner on the run in the eighth when Houston was making a run at overcoming a 3-1 deficit.

And there was the hitting.

Steve Garvey drove in three runs with a solo home run and a bases-loaded single. Nettles drove in the other two runs with a home run.

In the second, Nettles gave the Padres a 2-0 lead with his 15th homer of the year. Garvey followed with a homer, tying Nettles for the team lead.

It was the 11th time the Padres had hit two homers in an inning this year. It was the second time in two games they had given Hawkins an early lead.

Boros thinks Hawkins becomes more aggressive with a lead. Hawkins agrees, saying he can challenge opposing hitters more.

Going into the eighth, Hawkins was cruising, 3-0. Dickie Thon spoiled the shutout, leading off the inning with his second homer of the year.

Hawkins then struck out Alan Ashby. Jim Pankovits followed with a single. Boros followed with a trip to the mound, replacing Hawkins with Gossage.

“I don’t mean to blow my own horn, but I’ve won a lot of big ballgames,” Hawkins said. “I don’t want to look over my shoulder and see someone warming up in the bullpen when I’m pitching. I want the ball for keeps. You can’t be too upset when Goose is coming in. In my opinion, he’s the best reliever there is. It doesn’t make sense to gripe about (being taken out), right?”

For a while, the 21,850 fans in attendance had to be wondering about Gossage.

Bill Doran greeted Gossage with a sinking liner, but Gwynn made a nice catch to save the Padres. Kevin Bass followed with a single, advancing Pankovits to third. Phil Garner hit an inning-ending fly to center.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Padres played Boros Ball--moving runners one base at a time.

Gwynn and John Kruk began the inning with singles. Marvell Wynne ran for Kruk. Kevin McReynolds, the clean-up hitter, sacrificed.

“The long ball gave us a lead,” Boros said. “The little ball kept us going. That was a very important bunt McReynolds got down.”

After the bunt, Nettles was walked intentionally to load the bases.

Garvey, who often rubs his hands in anticipation if the man before him is walked intentionally, was next. He singled to left-center, driving in the final two runs.

“I enjoy that situation,” Garvey said. “I like the bases loaded or if they pitch around someone to get to me. (Tom) Lasorda does that once in a while. He knows better.”

However, Garvey is not having the best year of his career. Nor is Nettles.

That’s why opponents aren’t afraid to take chances against the two.

“We’re counting on them to drive in runs,” Boros said. “The three guys at the top are doing all they can. (Tim) Flannery, Gwynn and Kruk are getting on base.”

McReynolds was on base when Nettles hit his homer in the second.

Nettles ended Saturday’s 5-4 loss by striking out against Dave Smith with runners on second on third.

“I had nightmares all night,” Nettles said. “I kept seeing Dave Smith in my sleep. That’s a pretty bad nightmare.”

Nettles, a Del Mar neighbor of Smith’s, made the comment in jest.

However, Nettles’ production of late has not been a laughing matter. He has hit just three home runs since June 19.

“It hasn’t been a great year for me,” the 41-year-old Nettles said. “It hasn’t been a bust, either. I’d like to play as long as humanly possible, whether it be one or two or three more years. I never can understand guys who retire when they still can play. I’d never retire until I exhausted all of my chances of playing, and I hope it would be with the Padres.”

After Sunday, there remains hope for the Padres this year.