Jones Impresses, but It’s Too Late to Make Padres : Pitcher Headed for Las Vegas Despite Rain-Shortened Effort

Jimmy Jones got all wound up too late to make the Padres’ roster, but it may help his future.

Jones, using a more complete windup, pitched two scoreless innings Friday night against San Diego State at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. The scoreless game was rained out with two out in the bottom of the second.

Pitching coach Galen Cisco had suggested that Jones, who was stopping his hands in front of his face, try a new windup. Now Jones raises his hands above his head before making his pitch.

“It was great, effortless,” Jones said. “If tonight was any indication, it will help me because there was no stress on my arm. I felt a lot more pop on my fastball, and my breaking ball was three times better.”

Jones, who has a 7.00 earned-run average, allowed two hits.

“I saw some good velocity and pretty good breaking balls,” Manager Larry Bowa said. “I’d say he threw pretty well.”

On Thursday, Jones was told he will begin the season at Las Vegas. Ed Wojna will be the Padres’ No. 5 starting pitcher.

“Eddie pitched a lot better than I did,” Jones said. “He deserved the job. Larry (Bowa) told me to pitch better and he would call me up if I’m needed. I’m disappointed I’m not here. If you go by results of the spring, it’s understandable. I didn’t have them.”

The T-shirt Carmelo Martinez wears under his jersey tells it all. The front reads “Hello ’87.” On the back is a negative reference to 1986.

It’s obvious Martinez would like to forget last season, when he hit only .238 with nine home runs. And it’s becoming increasingly obvious that he could be a key player in 1987.

Martinez has hit three home runs in the last three games. Bowa said Martinez and John Kruk would both play considerably in left field.

“After the year I had last year, I have to think positive,” Martinez said. “The way I feel now, I expect them to give me a chance and I’ll take advantage of it. Everything depends on the numbers I put on the board. Hopefully, I’ll get my regular job back.”

Friday’s rainout may have been a blessing for both teams.

The Padres flew to Denver earlier than scheduled. They will play the Chicago Cubs there today and Sunday. SDSU is scheduled to begin its Western Athletic Conference season with doubleheaders today and Sunday against Hawaii.

“I’m really looking forward to Hawaii, to be honest with you,” Aztec Coach Jim Dietz said beforehand.

The Aztecs beat Hawaii in a playoff to win the conference title last year.

‘We needed a day off. We’re tired, “ said Bowa. “We’ve worked hard all spring. And this isn’t really a day off.”

The rain may have cost SDSU baseball a chance to get out of debt. The Aztecs, who had a $26,000 budget deficit, netted an estimated $12,000 to $14,000 Friday, Dietz said.

Since SDSU was earning a share of concession sales, the early rainout cost the Aztecs an estimated $10,000 or more.

“We had so many good fund-raising things to get us through the evening,” Dietz said. “Down inside, the fund-raising gets to you. We made some inroads, but we didn’t get out of debt. I hope our bosses understand the predicament and will carry us like the banks carry us sometimes.”

Padre Notes The Padres signed second baseman Joey Cora and pitcher Tom Gorman to major league contracts Friday, signifying that they officially have made the team. Both were invited to spring training as non-roster players. . . . Manager Larry Bowa said that center fielder Stanley Jefferson should play today. Jefferson has been sidelined since suffering a sprained ankle Monday. . . . The Padres have sold 48,000 tickets for their April 13 home opener against San Francisco. . . . Ed Wojna will pitch today and Storm Davis will pitch Sunday against the Cubs in Denver. The Padres open their regular season Monday in San Francisco.