PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Padres Find Safety in Numbers, Fewer Giants Fans Attend Game

Although the Padres were exhilarated with their 5-3 victory Wednesday night over the San Francisco Giants, they perhaps were most relieved by the smaller, more subdued crowd of 10,736 that showed up at Candlestick Park.

There was so much violent behavior in Tuesday’s home-opener at Candlestick that several Padres actually feared for their lives.

“Believe me, I was scared,” Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn said. “It’s scary playing here. They don’t have the security here. It’s overmatched. They’ve got guys running on the field, and who’s to say they won’t come on the field, pulled out a guy, shoot us, and take off.

“I don’t want to sound like I’m crying the blues, but it’s dangerous out there. There’s all kinds of things flying in the outfield. That’s scary.

“When they had the guy run on the field (Tuesday), Benny (Benito Santiago) and I looked at each other and couldn’t believe it. There were only two security guards chasing him, and they each weighed 350 pounds.”

Among the outfield trio of Gwynn, left fielder Jerald Clark and center fielder Darrin Jackson, they picked up batteries, golf balls, tennis balls, coins and even a Nerf football.

“I threw the change back over the fence,” Gwynn said, “but I kept the quarters.”

Said Dave Eiland, who formerly pitched for the New York Yankees: “I’ve seen some good fights in my day, especially at Yankee Stadium, but never that many in one game. I just wish I had a better seat for them.”

The fans were so unruly they even picked on Padre broadcaster Rick Monday, a former Dodger. When he walked off the field after his post-game show, a fan threw a beer on him.

“I don’t think a lot of guys will be broken up leaving here,” said Padre veteran Tim Teufel.

The Giants, embarrassed about the numerous fights in the stands Tuesday, issued a public apology and said that the incidents were an aberration, not a common occurrence. There were 70 ejections and six arrests made, and alcohol sales were terminated in the second inning.

“There must have been seven or eight fights,” Giant outfielder Chris James said. “People were going over seats, over aisles. People were going down for the 10-count. Every time I heard a roar, I turned around and someone would get smoked. I turn around once and they were slinging a blown-up naked woman. They were digging that.

“I looked over at Larry Andersen in the Padres’ bullpen, and he just said, ‘Wow.’ ”

Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, said that barring any injuries, he is finished tinkering with his team.

Yes, that also means that Santiago will remain a Padre for the immediate future, confirming earlier reports that all trade talks involving Santiago are dead.

“Barring any injuries, I hope to keep this team intact,” McIlvaine said. “Nothing else is going on. Right now, Benny’s going to be with us.”

Santiago, who was hitless in four at-bats Wednesday and is batting .069 this season, was relieved by the news and promises that he soon will break out of his slump.

“It’ll come,” Santiago said, “and the hits will come in bunches. You watch and see. I’m going to have a lot of fun.”

Said Padre Manager Greg Riddoch: “To tell you the truth, I’ve never seen him so relaxed in my life. He’s having fun, he’s not so intense. He’s not pressing at all.”

Al Rosen, Giant general manager, remains miffed that his club is being picked no higher than fifth this season.

“Obviously, I think much more highly of our club than some of the writers do,” Rosen said. “There’s no way this is a fifth-place club. I can’t believe some of the teams that people are picking to finish ahead of us.

The Dodgers for instance. They lost power when they lost Eddie Murray. Their pitching won’t be as strong without Tim Belcher. Mike Scioscia has lost something with age. And have you seen their infield?

“People get overwhelmed by names, but it’s different when you see the teams actually playing,” Rosen said. “There are good teams in this division, but everybody’s got holes and everybody’s in the same boat. One injury to a star player can make all the difference.

“It all comes down to our pitching. That’s been our Achilles’ heel the last couple of seasons. We have some good young arms in the minors. At one point, we thought of bringing them up and biting the bullet for a couple of years until they developed, as the Braves’ young pitchers eventually did.

“But you can ruin young pitchers by bringing them up so soon, so we made the (Kevin) Mitchell trade to give them time.”

Padre reliever Mike Maddux, who’s on the disabled list with a tender elbow, thew on the side, and reported no pain.

“The only trouble,” Maddux said, “is that atrophy has set in. When I started throwing, it felt like I hadn’t picked up a baseball since January. But I’ll be all right.”

Besides, Maddux said, he had other things on his mind Wednesday. His favorite coach, Jerry Tarkanian, was hired by the San Antonio Spurs.

“I just found my new favorite team in the NBA,” Maddux said. “Go Spurs.”