BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : PADRES : Santiago Isn’t Getting Discouraged

Padre catcher Benito Santiago continues to hit the ball well, but nothing to show for it. He was hitless in three at-bats Friday, and is batting .067.

“In the past, he’d be real discouraged and say the hell with it, and start wailing,” Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said. “But that was old Benny. Today, he told me, ‘I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, and they’ll eventually fall.’ ”

Said Santiago: “Hey, it’s only spring training. They can have them now. I’ll give them hell during the season.”

Tony Gwynn, upon seeing the Giants’ spectacular new spring-training facility: “I hate this place. It’s too nice. The clubhouse is too big. It’s got four training tables. Man, this place has got everything.” . . . Shortstop Tony Fernandez has begun playing shortstop in minor league intrasquad games in Yuma, and apparently his sore right shoulder has begun to improve. “He said his shoulder still is a little sore,” Riddoch said, “but he was able to throw 14 balls during the game without pain.” . . . The Padres, who have struggled all spring with their offense, batting .216, might have reached the height of futility Friday in their 5-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Dave Masters, a journeyman minor-leaguer who never has pitched a game in the major leagues, did not allow a hit in his four-inning stint, even striking out Gwynn. If the Padres want to be more embarrassed, they should take a look at Masters’ minor-league record--40-44 with a 5.02 ERA. Last year, he was 4-6 with a 6.04 ERA at triple-A Indianapolis before getting released and 1-2 with a 6.46 for triple-A Phoenix. . . . Starter Ricky Bones was battered for six hits and five runs (three earned) in three innings, and was the losing pitcher. “I felt real strong out there and everything was working good,” Bones said. “but all the pitches in the strike zone were up. . . . Giants rookie shortstop Royce Clayton, who’s being billed as the next Barry Larkin, provided the game’s biggest highlight when he hit a triple into the right-center gap, and scored when right fielder Gwynn wasn’t able to pick the ball cleanly. . . . Charger defensive end Leslie O’Neal attended the game Friday, and made a tour of the press box wearing an Oakland Athletics’ cap. . . . Greg Harris is the scheduled starting pitcher at 12:05 p.m. (PST) today against the Milwaukee Brewers in Chandler. He’ll be followed by Mark Knudson and Dave Eiland, each of whom are vying for the No. 5 starter’s job.