Benes Hopes History Repeats Itself : Baseball: Padre pitcher looking to duplicate 1991’s second-half success.

Andy Benes finished his laps during the Padres’ informal workout Wednesday morning, grabbed a camera, jumped up into the stands and snapped a few pictures of the All-Star logo that remained on the grass at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

Memories.

While workers stuffed equipment back into television trucks, Benes packed second-half hopes for the Padres’ trip to Montreal. After a so-so first half, Benes is hoping to re-create the second half he had in 1991, a span when he was of All-Star caliber.

During that long, glorious spell, Benes won 11 of his last 12 decisions. His ERA of 1.92 after the All-Star break last summer was the best in the majors.

“If they would let me have my same second half, I’d take it,” Benes said. “It’s just a matter of finding consistency. If I can do that, I’ll have the opportunity to win a lot of games.

“The way our bats are going, all the starters have to do is pitch six, seven, eight strong innings. I’m looking forward to it.”

After his 1991 second-half performance, 1992 loomed as a possible breakthrough year for Benes (7-7). Instead, it has been a season of ups and downs. His 8-2 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday was his first since June 17 and only his second since May 22.

“It’s been OK,” Benes said. “I’ve been really good at times and really bad at times, and in-between the majority of the time.”

Benes’ ERA (3.71) is about like his record. Nothing impressive, but not alarming.

“For me, I’d obviously like a few more wins, but if I’m consistent, I’m going to go out and win a lot of games, or at least give us the opportunity to win,” Benes said. “My goal for the whole year was to be consistent. I’ve had some ups and downs.”

Said Padre Manager Greg Riddoch: “I’d probably rate him on par with a guy who has only four years of professional experience. He wasn’t afforded five years in the minor leagues like most players.”

Instead, Benes, 24, was in the majors by the end of the 1989 season, his first as a professional. He has had to learn on the job and, despite this being his third full season in the majors, he is still learning.

Before Sunday’s victory, he had won only once in nine starts, going 1-4 with four no-decisions. But while he threw 131 pitches Sunday--too many, he said--in 6 2/3 innings, he held the Phillies to two runs on seven hits.

“It was a good confidence boost,” he said. “I pitched well. I was watching films from last year when I was pitching well, and it was just a matter of making a few minor adjustments. I felt really good about the way I threw.”

The adjustments, he said, involved getting more drive from the mound.

“Pushing off harder and staying square to the plate,” he said.

Throughout his dry spell, Benes used last year’s hot streak as a point of reference several times. It gave him something to cling to, something to help him stay optimistic. Just wait until after the All-Star Game, he said on more than one disappointing occasion.

Now that it is here, he says he didn’t put undue pressure on himself.

“I think it all depends on how the team does,” Benes said. “I think if I do well and the team does, people will be happy. But it takes a lot away if I pitch well and the team doesn’t win.”

The Padres turned around what could have been a miserable home stand to win four consecutive games against Philadelphia leading up to the All-Star break. Benes ended the sweep with a victory.

But beginning tonight, a 10-game trip looms. The Padres are 5 1/2 games behind first-place Cincinnati in the NL West and 3 1/2 games behind second-place Atlanta.

“We’ve played an awful lot better than last year,” Benes said. “Most people look at it as a two-team race, except the 30 people in this clubhouse.

“The biggest thing is that we need to play well on this trip. Montreal has always given us trouble.

“We’re leaving for 10 games. I think we’re going to find out what our chances are.”