NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : PADRES UPDATE : Harris Says He Doesn’t Need a Pitching Stint in Las Vegas

Padre reliever Greg Harris, who says he’s pitching as well now as the start of the season, will begin a rehabilitative stint Wednesday in triple-A Las Vegas.

Harris, who last pitched for the Padres April 22 in San Francisco when he was diagnosed with tendinitis in his right elbow, is scheduled to start Thursday in Las Vegas against the Phoenix Firebirds.

“I know I’m ready,” Harris said, “(Monday) was as good as I can throw. I’m ready to pitch right now for the Padres. That’s the frustrating part. I’m healthy now, but I’ll be pitching in Las Vegas.

“I just want to pitch up here (in the big leagues) so bad right now.”

The Padres, however, want Harris to regain his form in the minor leagues, particularly since they want him returning as a starter. He likely will make at least two starts in Las Vegas, and if healthy, is expected to replace Adam Peterson or Jose Melendez in the rotation.

“He’s chomping at the bit right now,” Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said, “but we want to make sure he’s all right. We’ve waited this long, we can wait a couple of more weeks.”

Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn was awarded the National League Player of the Week award for the first time since 1989, batting .522 with five RBIs for the week.

“I’m not concerned about that stuff,” Gwynn said, “I just want to win. I know you guys are sick of me saying that, but that’s the truth.”

Since Padre catcher Benito Santiago was moved June 1 to the No. 6 spot in the batting order June 1, he’s batting .429 with one homer and six RBIs.

“Hey, leave me there,” Santiago said, “I love it.”

PADRES AT A GLANCE

FIRST INNING

Pirates--With two out, McClendon reached first on third baseman Coolbaugh’s throwing error. Bonilla singled to left-center, McClendon taking third, Bonilla taking second. Bonds reached first on infield single, McClendon and Bonilla scoring. King homered to right, his fourth. Slaught struck out. Four runs (unearned), three hits. Pirates 4, Padres 0.

FOURTH INNING

Padres--With one out, Teufel singled to left. Santiago doubled to left-center, Teufel taking third. Walk threw wild pitch, Teufel scoring, Santiago taking third. Clark was hit by pitch. Coolbaugh singled to center, Santiago scoring, Clark stopping at second. Rasmussen sacrificed. Howard flied to center. Two runs, three hits, two left. Pirates 4, Padres 2.

FIFTH INNING

Padres--Fernandez led off and doubled to right. Patterson relieved Walk. Gwynn grounded to shortstop, Fernandez taking third. McGriff safe at first on fielder’s choice, Fernandez scoring. Teufel singled to right, McGriff taking third. Palacios relieved Patterson. Santiago flied to right. Clark flied to center. One run, two hits, two left. Pirates 4, Padres 3.

EIGHTH INNING

Pirates--Webster led off and homered to left, his first. Bell popped to first. McClendon singled to left. Bonilla popped to third. Bonds grounded to first. One run, two hits, one left. Pirates 5, Padres 3.