PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Harris Finds Some Strength In Victory Over the Angels

Padre starter Greg Harris, who was beginning to question his ability, pitched a no-hitter through six innings over the Angels in the Padres’ 14-0 victory Tuesday.

Harris, who entered the game with a 0-4 record and 9.50 ERA, was the beneficiary of a 10-run sixth inning. He struck out two and walked two batters.

“I needed to have a good outing,” Harris said, “just for the sake of saying, ‘I can still do it.’ It was real important for my confidence after the spring I’ve had.

“Now, I feel I’m as close to being ready as I have all spring. The lights are about to go on, and it’s time to get serious.”

The Padres still are trying to trade catcher Benito Santiago, said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, who doubts a trade will be made before opening day.

“I’m trying to do something, and if I can, I’ll do it,” McIlvaine said. “If I can’t, he’ll play for us. It’s very simple.

“I’ll talk to him before the season starts, and tell him where we stand.

“But he’s fine right now. He’s pumped for a good season. He just wants to know whether it’s here, or somewhere else.”

The Padres reduced their roster to 31 players after the release of Craig Worthington, and must make six more player cuts by opening day.

Those expected to be cut or traded are: pitchers Mike York, Jeremy Hernandez and Mark Knudson; outfielder/infielder Phil Stephenson; catcher Tom Lampkin; and infielder Paul Faries. If Howard happens to be traded, Stephenson likely would make the team.

Will McIlvaine claim any of the available players who were recently cut?

“You can never have enough pitching,” McIlvaine said. “But I think the team on the field is fairly well set. The infield is set, and it’s clear who’s starting in the outfield. The bench is OK. You look for ways to try to improve it, but pitching is always the question.”

The Padres sent 12 consecutive batters to the plate in the sixth inning without making an out. After Darrin Jackson lined his second consecutive hit into left field, Angel Manager Buck Rodgers mercifully removed Angel reliever Scott Lewis after eight hits. Three batters later, Santiago finally made the first out. . . . Padre third baseman Gary Sheffield made two dazzling defensive plays Tuesday, including a play where he went to his knees and still threw out Gary Gaetti by a step. It caused one fan to scream out, “That’s how you play third base.” Sheffield also hit a double in the game, and slid safely home on a Fred McGriff single. “What more do you want from a guy?” Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn said. “He’s been unbelievable.” . . . Just how well have the Padres’ starters been of late? They’ve allowed only three earned runs in 28 innings during the last five games. . . . Padre Manager Greg Riddoch was sick again with the flu, and was unable to attend Tuesday’s game. . . . Padre outfielder Jerald Clark won the Good Samaritan award Tuesday by stopping his car by the side of the road and to help jump a stalled car. . . . Padre reliever Larry Andersen said he might try to throw on the side today to test his inflamed right shoulder, but it remains likely that he’ll open the season on the disabled list. . . . Jim Lewis, dealt in the Worthington trade, has three saves and a 0.84 ERA in seven games this spring. He has allowed only four hits in 10 2/3 innings. Yet, the Orioles still are expected to option him to triple-A Rochester, where former Padres Dennis Rasmussen and Mark Parent also work. . . . The scheduled pitching matchups for the opening series against the Cincinnati Reds: the Padres’ Bruce Hurst vs. Jose Rijo on Monday; Greg Harris vs. Tom Browning on Tuesday; and Andy Benes vs. Tim Belcher on Wednesday.