PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Mike Maddux Has Helped to Fill Vacancy Left by Departure of Davis

The Padres have invested big bucks, made colossal trades, and done everything in their power trying to find someone to use as a bullpen stopper since the departure of Mark Davis.

Who would have thought that the most reliable alternative was found on the banquet circuit a year ago in Las Vegas?

His name is Mike Maddux, and after preserving the Padres’ heart-stopping 2-1 victory Tuesday night over the Dodgers, he has emerged as the Padres’ bullpen stopper.

He can’t throw 90 m.p.h. He doesn’t dazzle anyone with his array of pitches. He doesn’t even carry around Soldier of Fortune magazines.

Yet, Maddux has saved all four of the save situations he has been entrusted this season, and has won the heart of Padre Manager Greg Riddoch.

“We’re going to use him much more in that (stopper’s) role,” Riddoch said. “The only thing is he doesn’t have a rubber arm, so I can’t fling him right back out there. He can do it in back-to-back games, but not three or four games in a row.”

Maddux has had a superb season since coming off the disabled list in April. He has a team-low 1.98 ERA, and has allowed runs in only four of his 25 appearances.

“I like the role,” Maddux said, “but I like to pitch a couple of innings at a time. If I get the save, I want to work for them.

“I feel good that they have confidence in me, especially when they left me in (Tuesday night) for three innings. I really wanted to save it for Bruce Hurst.

“The way I figure it, that’s worth three strokes a side the next time we play golf.”

Padre catcher Benito Santiago, who has been on the disabled list since May 30 with a broken little finger on his right hand, has begun working out again and should be ready to play by the All-Star Game.

Santiago began throwing over the weekend, and is expected to taking batting practice with the Padres, perhaps as early this weekend.

“(Dr.) Jan Fronek said he’ll be ready to play by the All-Star game,” Padre trainer Bob Day said. “He’s coming along fine.”

Rookie Dan Walters, meanwhile, has taken full advantage of his opportunity during Santiago’s absence. He’s batting .274 with 14 RBIs. In fact, since his 2-for-20 start, Walters is batting .304 (21 for 69) with 13 RBIs.

“He’s done a great job for us,” Riddoch said. “What a great surprise.”

Padre third baseman Gary Sheffield was befuddled Wednesday when asked when was the last time he obtained a pinch-hit in a game.

“I don’t even remember ever pinch-hitting before,” Sheffield said.

No wonder.

Sheffield’s pinch-hit single in the seventh inning Tuesday was the first of his major league career.

The only other time he had been to the plate as a pinch hitter was May 17, 1991 when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers. He walked.

“It was weird going up there,” Sheffield said, “being cold and coming off the bench. I was always wondered what if felt like. Now I know.”

Hall of Famer Ted Williams, a San Diego native, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the 63rd All-Star Game in San Diego.

Williams spent 19 seasons in the major leagues for the Boston Red Sox. He had a career .344 batting average with 521 homers and 1,839 RBIs. He was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Padre starter Bruce Hurst is one of the finalists to win the National League’s pitcher of the month award. He went 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA, pitching three complete games with a shutout.

He now has won seven of his last 10 starts, yielding a 2.03 ERA with five complete games and three shutouts. Perhaps most remarkable this season is Hurst’s dominance in his victories. He is yielding a meager 0.95 ERA in his eight victories, and 7.14 ERA in his five defeats.

Certainly, the Padres have benefited from Hurst. They are 12-5 in Hurst’s 17 starts.