NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Lefferts Mystified by His Struggles

Padre reliever Craig Lefferts hears the boos and trade whispers. He sees the worried looks.

“Really, I can’t understand it myself,” Lefferts said. “My stuff’s been fine. It’s not like I’m having trouble with any particular pitch or anything.”

Yet Lefferts has been inconsistent all season. Although he has 15 saves in 20 opportunities, his earned-run average is 4.70. The only player on the Padres with a higher ERA is Darrin Jackson, and he plays center field for a living.

Little wonder the Padres are interested in Cincinnati Reds reliever Randy Myers and pursued reliever Tim Burke before he was traded last week from Montreal to the New York Mets.

Lefferts, who said he has been troubled a bit with his night vision, bought his first pair of prescription glasses Monday and began wearing them to the ballpark and on his drive home. He’s still reluctant to wear his glasses in a game, but says he might start wearing contacts next season.

“Hopefully, things will start turning around for me,” said Lefferts, who pitched a 1-2-3 inning Tuesday. “I threw my fastball more than usual, and that worked for me. Maybe that’s the answer. We’ll see. But the whole thing’s been frustrating.”

The Padres have decided to leave Adam Peterson in the starting rotation although he yielded eight hits and nine earned runs in his past two starts. He will start Saturday against the New York Mets and will be matched up against Dwight Gooden.

“We just like Jose (Melendez) coming out of the bullpen,” Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said. “He’s done a good job for us there.”

Melendez has pitched nine innings of relief in four appearances for the Padres, and is 2-0 without allowing an earned run.

“If I had my choice, I’d start,” Melendez said. “I really like starting. But it’s not my choice.”

Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn was ranked among the best in the National League in several categories, according to a poll of National League managers that was published in the latest issue of Baseball America.

Gwynn was voted the best hitter in the league; the second-most exciting player behind Barry Larkin of the Cincinnati Reds; the third-best hit-and-run artist behind Mike Scioscia of the Dodgers and Ozzie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals; and the third-best defensive outfielder behind Andy Van Slyke of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Eric Davis of the Reds.

Reliever Pat Clements, who underwent arthroscopic surgery in May for his left shoulder, threw on the side again Wednesday and is hopeful of pitching his first simulated game within a week. “It feels like spring training all over again,” Clements said. “I just have to get re-oriented.” . . . The most unusual aspect of Padre starter Andy Benes’ pitching performance Tuesday, in which he yielded only one run in eight innings? He never threw a single changeup, only fastballs and sliders. “I’m only going to throw it again in situations it can’t hurt me,” Benes said. . . . The Padres’ attendance continues to plummet this home stand, drawing only 13,718 fans to Wednesday’s game against the Montreal Expos. They averaged just 18,518 fans in their three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies--including a dismal turnout of 15,882 Saturday night--and drew 14,007 in the first game Tuesday against the Expos. Club officials are optimistic of a turnaround this weekend when the Mets come in for a a three-game series beginning Friday. . . . Doc Mattei, Padre traveling secretary, celebrated his birthday Tuesday but refuses to divulge his age. “I was born the same day as Don Drysdale and Pee Wee Reese,” he said, “but everyone always remembers theirs, not mine.” . . . The Padres will play the final game of their three-game series against the Montreal Expos at 1:05 p.m. today. Greg Harris (2-2) and Ron Darling (5-7) are the scheduled starters. The Padres will then will conclude their home stand beginning Friday with a three-game series against the New York Mets. The scheduled pitching matchups: Hurst (11-5) vs. Sid Fernandez (0-0) at 7:35 p.m. Friday; Peterson (3-2) vs. Dwight Gooden (10-6) at 7:05 p.m. Saturday; and Benes (4-10) vs. Frank Viola (11-6) at 1:05 p.m. Sunday.

Scorecard

FIRST INNING

Expos--DeShields led off and singled to right. Grissom singled to right, DeShields stopping at second. Calderon singled to right, loading the bases. Wallach grounded to shortstop, Calderon forced at second, DeShields scoring, Grissom taking third, Wallach safe at first. Galarraga singled to right, Grissom scoring, Wallach stopping at second. Walker singled to right, loading the bases. Fitzgerald grounded to third, Walker forced at second, Wallach scoring, Galarraga stopping at third, Fitzgerald safe at first. Galarraga stole home, Fitzgerald stole second, taking third on second baseman Roberts’ throwing error. Owen reached first on infield single to shortstop, Fitzgerald scoring. Barnes singled to left, Owen stopping at second. Maddux replaced Rasmussen. DeShields walked, loading the bases. Grissom popped to second. Five runs, seven hits, one error, three left. Expos 5, Padres 0. SECOND INNING

Padres--McGriff led off and homered to center, his 19th. Clark reached first on infield single to third. Santiago struck out. Teufel walked. Fernandez bounced to pitcher, Teufel forced at second, Clark stopping at third. Coolbaugh struck out. One run, two hits, two left. Expos 5, Padres 1. FOURTH INNING

Padres--Santiago led off and singled to center. Teufel walked. Fernandez sacrificed. Abner popped to second. Roberts singled to left, Santiago scoring, Teufel thrown out at third. One run, two hits, one left. Expos 5, Padres 2. SEVENTH INNING

Expos--Rodriguez pitching. With two outs, Fitzgerald doubled to center. Owen was intentionally walked. Noboa singled to center, Fitzgerald scoring, Owen taking third, Noboa taking second on the throw. DeShields walked, loading the bases. Grissom singled to left, Owen and Noboa scoring, DeShields stopping at second. Martinez struck out. Three runs, three hits, two left. Expos 8, Padres 2.