Fernandez Making His Presence Felt

The Padres’ perfect 10 shortstop wiped his sunglasses. He pulled on his sweater. He quoted Yogi Berra.

He said he had to go, because his family was waiting.

Thursday was the first time Tony Fernandez’s wife, Clara, and three children, ventured into San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. What they saw was the same thing other people observed in the first nine games: There is another Padre named Tony who knows how to handle a bat.

Fernandez went three for five in the Padres’ 10-5 victory Thursday over the Dodgers. He has hit safely in all 10 games this season, and his batting average is .341.

He doubled in the fourth against Kevin Gross. Tripled in the sixth against Tim Crews. Singled in the eighth against Jim Gott. He scored two runs and knocked in two more.

Most importantly, he jump-started the Padres when they needed it. They trailed, 3-1, when he settled into the batter’s box in the fourth. Tom Lampkin stood on third and Eric Nolte on second. Gross ran the count on Fernandez to zero and two.

The next pitch was a breaking ball, and Fernandez drove it into the left-center field gap. The ball bounced off the warning track and over the fence for a ground-rule double. Lampkin and Nolte scored.

Of course, Fernandez takes charge in pressure situations like George Foreman handles cheeseburgers. Last season, Fernandez batted .343 with two out and runners in scoring position.

“I’ve always enjoyed hitting when men are in scoring position,” Fernandez said. And about that 0-2 count?

“You just try to make contact,” Fernandez said. “If you put it in play, you have a chance to make a hit. You can’t guide the ball; you just hit it. It’s going to go somewhere.”

As for his sixth-inning triple to right, he said he was thinking third base from the moment bat met ball.

“I think to hit a triple, it depends on how fast you get out of the (batter’s) box,” said Fernandez, who made it to third standing up. “That’s how you hit a triple.”

You might say he is somewhat of an authority on the subject. He led the major leagues with 17 triples last season, the most by any player since Willie Wilson hit 21 in 1985. This was his first in 1991.

Running is Fernandez’s favorite part of baseball, anyway.

“That’s the part of the game I enjoy the most--running,” Fernandez said. “When I was younger, I used to love running the bases--especially going from first to third.

“I love to run the bases. When I make that circle . . . I tell you, I’m like a wild horse.”

For now, he is smiling. His family has moved here from Florida. His 10-game batting streak is the longest in baseball this year. And in 10 games, his game has been receiving rave reviews from one excited manager and 24 admiring teammates.

“His defense is outstanding--he might be the best shortstop in the league,” Manager Greg Riddoch said. “He’s a total, complete player--he can run, he’s got a good arm and he’s a good hitter from both sides of the plate.”

Riddoch says Fernandez is perfect for the National League.

“If they thought he was great in the American League, he’s got a better chance in the National League with his speed,” he said.

“I’m very happy. (Padre General Manager) Joe McIlvaine knew exactly what he was doing.”

Said Bip Roberts: “I’m just glad to be working with him.”