NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Padres Nearing Team Record for Fewest Errors in a Season

Although the Padres hardly wanted to preserve Sunday’s game for their defensive highlight film, the club is on the verge of establishing a franchise record for fewest errors in a season.

The Padres have made only 103 errors this season, the fourth-fewest in the National League, with a .981 fielding percentage.

Unless the Padres’ defense collapses the final 18 games, they should set the franchise record.

The fewest errors the Padres have ever made in a season was 120 in 1988, in which they also had their best fielding percentage at .981.

“I think that shows how fundamentals have helped us,” said Padres right fielder Tony Gwynn, who’s bidding for his fifth Gold Glove. “We worked our butts off on that stuff all spring, and it’s been paying off.”

Well, most days at least.

The Giants, who spent $33 million in the free-agent market last winter, have decided to stay away this year. Although they desperately need a starting pitcher, sources say they’ll attempt to acquire one by trading left fielder Kevin Mitchell or right fielder Kevin Bass.

“Our payroll can not sustain another high-priced free agent,” said Al Rosen, Giants general manager. “I’ve always used free agency where I felt it was necessary to find a player or players to put us over the top. But I feel we have done all we can in free agency.

“Our salaries are what I consider very high. To go through the free-agent market would only exasperate the problem.”

Padres third base coach Bruce Kimm, who was hit in the bicep pitching batting practice during the week, still is recovering from his rash of poison oak on his right forearm, contracted some time while playing golf.

“I have no idea where I got it,” Kimm said, “because I’ve been in the woods in a lot of different courses.”

The incident of the week award goes to Cincinnati Reds rookie pitcher Steve Foster. He made his first trip to Montreal, and when passing through customs, was asked if he had anything to declare.

“Yeah, he said, “I’m proud to be an American.”

Custom officials failed to find the humor and detained Foster at the border.

Padres left fielder Bip Roberts made a brilliant, diving catch in the sixth inning, robbing Darren Lewis of a double. “That one has got to rank right up there with one my best ever,” Roberts said. . . . The Giants, who entered the game having lost 11 of 13 games, had a team meeting before the game to discuss their losing ways. . . . Giants starter John Burkett was 0-5 in his past six starts with a 10.41 ERA before shutting down the Padres over eight innings.