Padre Notebook : Dobson Says Some Relievers Are Too Tentative

Just three days ago, Pat Dobson, Padre pitching coach, was offering unqualified praise for his staff.

And with good reason. The Padres were coming off three games in which they had allowed a total of one run.

But after a 9-6 exhibition loss to the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday in front of a crowd of 6,255 at Desert Sun Stadium, Dobson had reason to find some fault, particularly with parts of the bullpen.

The Padres, who are 8-9 this spring, lost a 6-4 lead in the eighth when Dave Leiper failed to retire any of the three batters he faced, and Lance McCullers followed by allowing a grand slam home run to Glenn Braggs.

These failures Sunday followed a 7-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians Saturday in which Keith Comstock gave up three runs and four hits in one inning, and Mark Davis allowed three hits in one inning.

“We’ve got some guys who are being tentative out there,” Dobson said. “When you’re tentative, it negates all the good things you’re doing.

“You throw ball 1, ball 2, then whap.”

Part of the problem, Dobson said, might be that some of the players are beginning to feel the pressure of trying to make the roster. Larry Bowa, Padre manager, said he prefers to retain 10 pitchers. That means three pitchers must be dropped before opening day.

“If they can’t play in front of 3,000 people, what are they going to do with 50,000 in the stands?” Dobson asked. “They’ve just got to get out there, throw the ball and not worry about anything else.”

Despite his displeasure with some of the relief pitching, Dobson said he remains pleased with much about the staff.

Ed Whitson started and pitched 5 innings, allowing one run and two hits and striking out four, before a muscle in his forearm tighted. He was removed after he walked three consecutive batters.

“I couldn’t feel the ball,” Whitson said. “I just lost all control. The ball was going everywhere.”

Whitson said that he has had the muscle problem since 1979 and that it is controlled by regular rubdowns. But he said he had neglected to properly loosen the muscle before the game.

Whitson was replaced by Candy Sierra, who pitched 1 innings, giving up one hit and striking out two. Sierra, who played with the Padres’ double-A team in Wichita last season, has been the most effective pitcher lately.

Since he allowed a home run by the Angels’ Tony Armas on March 5, Sierra has pitched 12 innings, allowing no runs, eight hits and four walks. He has struck out 12.

Dobson also was pleased with Greg Booker, who pitched his second hitless inning of relief in three games.

If right fielder Tony Gwynn is looking for a career after baseball, he might try public relations.

Already one of the most popular and outgoing Padres, Gwynn is now writing his own press releases.

Tired of answering daily questions about his injured left hand, Gwynn posted the following handwritten statement on his locker Sunday.

1) My hand feels fine today.

2) I took limited batting practice with no complaints.

3) I’m progressing fine and expect to see some playing time in a week.

Thank you for your concern. Sincerely, Tony Gwynn 19.

P.S. If you want to talk about the NCAA Tourney, just ask.

Gwynn, a former guard on the San Diego State basketball team, is only one game behind co-leaders Sandy Alomar Jr. and Marvell Wynne in the team’s tournament pool with 34 correct picks.

Gwynn has been out since March 11, when he had an operation to relieve pressure on his left index finger. He may be ready for a four-game series against the Angels beginning March 30.

“Mentally I’m ready,” Gwynn said. “It’s physically I’m not.”

Padre Notes

Center fielder Stanley Jefferson extended his hitting streak to six games with a third-inning single and an RBI single in the fifth. Jefferson has hit safely in nine of his past 10 games. . . . Second baseman Randy Ready increased his hitting streak to five games with a two-run double in the fifth. Half of Ready’s 12 hits this spring have been doubles. . . . Second baseman Joey Cora had a pinch-hit single in the seventh and stole home off Dan Plesac to give the Padres a short-lived 6-4 lead. . . . The Padres have six games remaining in their final nine-game Yuma home stand. The first game of two-game series against the Cubs will be played tonight at 6:05. Eric Nolte (3-0, 2.20 ERA) will start for the Padres. Rick Sutcliffe will pitch for the Cubs. The Padres’ Eric Show (0-2, 3.75 ERA) will oppose Jeff Pico in the second game Tuesday at 12:05 p.m. The Padres are 2-0 against the Cubs this spring.