PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB WOLF : Lefferts Sticks With Hard Stuff

Craig Lefferts credited a change in pitching strategy for the 1-2-3 performance with which he saved the Padres’ 2-0 victory over the New York Mets at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

The left-hander had been inconsistent in recent relief outings but Sunday breezed through the middle of the Mets’ batting order in the ninth inning by concentrating on his fastball instead of his screwball and slider.

Called in to replace Andy Benes at the start of the inning, he retired Howard Johnson, Hubie Brooks and Dave Magadan to record his 16th save in 21 opportunities and seal Benes’ first victory since June 9.

“I figured I had to adjust,” Lefferts said. “Instead of throwing mostly screwballs and sliders, I decided to give the hitters a different mind-set. It’s not that I threw all fastballs. I threw two sliders to Hojo, and no screwballs at all.

”. . . The way I’d been pitching, I’d been putting too much pressure on the other guys. Even though I had good stuff, they were hitting it. Maybe this will turn things around for me.”

Another of the Padres’ Sunday heroes, Fred McGriff, also derived special satisfaction from his role in the victory. Until he broke a scoreless tie with a two-run double off Frank Viola in the sixth inning, he had only a .133 average with two out and runners in scoring position. For the season, McGriff has a .282 average with 19 home runs and 60 runs batted in.

Ex-Padre Garry Templeton, who has been a positive presence in the Mets’ clubhouse as well as a valuable man on the field, drew praise from both his new manager, Bud Harrelson, and pitching ace Dwight Gooden.

Harrelson said, “He has played all over the place, and he has played well everywhere we’ve put him,” Harrelson said. “Right now, he is more or less platooning with Kevin Elster at shortstop. He plays against most right-handers. He’s a great athlete, and he has a great attitude.”

Besides playing shortstop, Templeton has filled in for the Mets at first base, third base and right field.

Gooden noted that Templeton had been of particular help to him. He said, “Tempy’s a veteran, he’s been around, and he’s always talking during a game. He stays on me, too. He keeps me concentrating, keeps me focused, and he goes at it in a good way. He can still play, too. A lot of people don’t think so after last year, but I’d say he’s got three years left.”

Templeton, 35, who left the Padres with some strong parting shots at Manager Greg Riddoch, said he had no desire to gloat over the home run he hit against his old club Saturday night.

“I didn’t even look in the dugout after I hit it,” Templeton said. “I don’t look at this as a revenge thing.”

Templeton made a brilliant play Sunday, going into the hole to rob a former teammate of a hit. By an interesting coincidence, his victim was Tony Gwynn, who was his adversary last season in a personality clash that probably was a factor in his departure from San Diego.