Padres, Buoyed by Rasmussen, Topple Houston

In case the Padres have forgotten, the name is Dennis Rasmussen. They can talk all they want about how he’s not particularly flashy or dazzling. They can talk about how he can be a painfully slow worker.

They can say whatever they wish, but Rasmussen showed the organization Saturday night that he still can be effective, stealing the show in the Padres’ 4-2, 10-inning victory over the Houston Astros.

“I don’t care what they say,” Rasmussen said. “I know I can pitch. Give me the ball, and I’ll get it done.”

Rasmussen, making his first start of the season after spending the past 30 days on a rehabilitative assignment in triple-A Las Vegas, yielded three hits in seven innings, striking out seven batters without a walk.

In fact, if not for the fact that left fielder Jerald Clark was unable to catch Gerald Young’s line drive to the warning track, Rasmussen might have wound up with a 1-0 shutout victory. Instead, the ball dropped for a triple, and Rasmussen left the game for a pinch-hitter in the eighth with the score tied, 1-1.

The Padres waited until the 10th to break out of their offensive slumber, scoring three runs, and Craig Lefferts pitched out of trouble in the 10th inning, allowing the Padres to escape with the victory.

There were plenty of heroes to go around. Scott Coolbaugh opened the 10th inning with his his first home run since June 26; second baseman Jose Mota collected his first major league hit and made two diving catches in the field; Fred McGriff hit his 11th homer of the season; and center fielder Bip Roberts made a diving catch in the 10th, preventing the Padres’ three-run lead from disappearing.

Still, the most encouraging sign of the night was Rasmussen’s performance, and although the Padres might not want to admit it, they missed Rasmussen more than they imagined.

The Padres were willing to let him escape as a free agent in the off-season until they made a final take-it-or-leave-it offer. He took it 15 minutes before the signing deadline. It was a one-year, $805,000 contract, a raise of only $2,500. Also, it was not guaranteed.

Rasmussen grudgingly accepted it, reported to spring training and learned that the Padres weren’t even counting on him to make the team. It turned out to be a moot point. He developed shoulder tendinitis and opened the season on the disabled list. He went to Las Vegas to rehabilitate, believing that after one or two starts, he’d be back. Instead, the Padres left him there for the maximum 30 days.

“I was ready long before that,” said Rasmussen. “I didn’t think numbers (1-3, 5.47 ERA) down there meant anything. I was just trying different things.”

It wasn’t until three days ago when the Padres finally announced that Rasmussen was returning and joining the starting rotation. In the meantime, the Padres had tried four starters in the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation, going 5-6 with a 7.00 ERA.

But the Padres reminded everyone that Rasmussen was no returning Messiah. Funny, though, after his performance Saturday, they acted as if they knew he’d be the savior all along.

“I think they should know what to expect from me,” said Rasmussen, who owns a career 80-60 record. “Look what I’ve done. I know what I can do.

“I can do that for other teams, too. But I want to do it here. I hope they want me here.”

Said Padre Manager Greg Riddoch: “It’s great to have him back. Look, it’s the 43rd game of the season, and finally, we have five starters. That’s a great feeling.”

If that wasn’t enough reason for Riddoch to feel more confident about his team, Coolbaugh showed once again why he’ll be their everyday third baseman, and Mota displayed skills that will keep him at second base for the time being.

Besides Mota’s two hits, he also made two outstanding plays in the field, assuring his spot on the roster even with the return Monday of second baseman Marty Barrett. The Padres, according to sources, are expected to release third baseman Jim Presley to make room for Barrett.

This also will allow Roberts to remain in center field, although Padre General Manager Joe McIlvaine realizes there’s still uncertainty at second base.

“A year ago, (Roberts) was complaining because he was playing multiple positions,” McIlvaine said. “I want to play him at one place. So we bring him in at spring training, and say, ‘OK, here’s your place, (you’ll) play second base.’ And now he says he’s nervous at second.

“So what you thought was filled now is a question mark.

“Not to take anything away from Jose Mota, but I didn’t think we’d have Jose Mota in May.”

It was the duo of Coolbaugh and Mota who helped the Padres finally get untracked in the 10th inning. With one out, Coolbaugh swung at Osuna’s first pitch and hit a line drive toward left field.

Riddoch thought it was going to be a triple. Coolbaugh thought it was going to be a double. Osuna was hoping it’d be caught. Instead, it kept rising and rising, and didn’t land until it reached the third row of the seats for only the 19th homer of the season in the spacious Astrodome.

“When I hit it, I couldn’t watch it,” said Coolbaugh, who’s hitting .275 since being recalled May 11. “I’ve got to run when I hit those. I didn’t even know it was gone until the umpire started circling his arm.”

And that ovation you heard was from the 15 friends and relatives from San Antonio, Texas, for whom Coolbaugh left tickets. They’re the ones who will tell you that Coolbaugh got a raw deal in Texas, never having the opportunity to play every day, until the Rangers gave up on him and traded him in the off-season.

“It’s a whole lot easier when you know you’re playing every day,” said Coolbaugh, who was hitting .125 on the trip before the home run. “I was kind of wondering if I’d ever hit another deep.”

And while the Padres were celebrating their victory in the clubhouse, and Mota was searching for the ball saved for him after his first big-league hit, Rasmussen was already dressed, wondering if he really is a permanent fixture in the rotation.

“I hope I’m in there Thursday,” Rasmussen said, not allowing himself to crack a smile.