Whatever Future Holds, Lefferts Wins Now : Baseball: Left-hander’s 11th victory leads Padres past Montreal, 9-2.

Craig Lefferts, who won his 11th game of the season Sunday in the Padres’ 9-2 victory over the Montreal Expos, has put the Padre organization in quite a dilemma.

The left-hander has become such an overwhelming success in his transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation, the Padres don’t know what to do with him.

Some in the organization believe Lefferts’ value as a pitcher never has been higher, and it’s time to trade him. Others who contend that because the Padres remain in the pennant race, they can’t afford to lose their most successful pitcher.

The paradox exists because Lefferts is in the final season of a three-year, $5.25 million contract. Although the Padres own his rights for two more seasons, Lefferts is eligible for salary arbitration each year.

Considering Lefferts (10-6, 3.51 ERA) is a 10-year veteran, the Padres realize Lefferts probably would receive a minimum of $3 million from a salary arbitrator next season. That possibility fightens the Padres.

“It’s their decision,” Lefferts said, “it’s out of my control.”

Since it was Lefferts’ decision to be converted from a reliever to a starter and he’s as responsible as anyone for keeping the Padres in the National League West race, what would he recommend?

“I’d sign myself to a multi-year contract,” Lefferts said, laughing, “and finish my career here.”

The Padres have 11 days to debate Lefferts’ status--after July 31, a player must pass through waivers before he can be traded--but Lefferts will leave the worrying to others. He trails only Atlanta Braves starter Tom Glavine in National League victories.

“This is the best I’ve ever felt,” said Lefferts, who already has pitched a career-high 115 1/3 innings. “Usually at this time of year, my arm’s going through dead time, but I feel great.

“I think I found my niche. I may never go back to the bullpen.”

Lefferts pitched six innings Sunday--allowing seven hits and two earned runs without a walk--and then watched his teammates blow open a 2-2 game with a four-run, seventh inning. By the time they finished the assault, the Padres lashed out 16 hits, including seven for extra bases.

By winning their second consecutive game, the Padres (49-44) remained 6 1/2 games behind the division-leading Cincinnati Reds and 5 1/2 in back of Atlanta.

“To come out of (Montreal) with a split is great,” said Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn. “We looked like we were on the verge of being swept. I felt lousy, like a lot of guys, when we got here.

“But we dug down deep, and that’s what it’s all about.”

The victory was more special for Gwynn. It marked his 10-year anniversary with the Padres.

In his first game as Padre at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, Gwynn went two for four with a double and an RBI against Mike Krukow and the San Francisco Giants.

Ten years later at Olympic Stadium, Gwynn was three for five with a triple and two RBIs.

“It’s been a great 10 years,” Gwynn said. “I’ve been to the top. I’ve been to the bottom. Now, we’re working our way to the top again. And it’s going to be a whole lot of fun when we get there.”

After losing the first two games of the series, the Padres outscored the Expos 19-5 the last two games. Since the woeful Philadelphia Phillies are next on their agenda, the Padres were practically giddy on their flight out of Canada.

Lefferts flirted with danger over six innings but kept the Expos in check. The biggest play, he contended, was in the sixth inning when he picked off Marquis Grissom at first base. It was Lefferts’ fourth pickoff of the season, and said it was the first time in his professional career that he ever picked off a baserunner diving back to the bag.

The Padres then broke open a 2-2 game by scoring seven runs in the final three innings. Center fielder Darrin Jackson finished the day by equaling his career-high with four hits, the second time in 11 games he has accomplished the feat. And rookie catcher Dan Walters hit his fourth homer of the season in the eighth that silenced the crowd of 25,821.

“What a beautiful day,” Gwynn said, “but I’m still happy to get the hell out of here.”