PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Padres See Some Pitching Help Coming Along Fine in Las Vegas

The Padres know they trail the Atlanta Braves by 6 1/2 games and time is starting to run out.

The Padres say they could use some help.

Hello Greg Harris, starter.

While many teams are looking for pitching help for the pennant drive, the Padres believe they have the man at triple-A Las Vegas.

Harris was dazzling Wednesday night in his rehabilitation assignment, pitching eight shutout innings and allowing only four hits in Las Vegas’ 1-0 victory over Phoenix.

It was Harris’ second start on his assignment since breaking the middle finger on his right hand June 19 against the San Francisco Giants. He has not allowed a run in 13 1/3 innings.

“We couldn’t be happier,” Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said. “That’s very, very encouraging.”

Harris, who threw 89 pitches and struck out the last three batters he faced, is expected to remain in Las Vegas for at least one more start. It’s possible he could be activated during the Padres’ home stand beginning Saturday and regain his spot in the rotation.

“We’re going to keep monitoring his progress, and if everything works out all right, we may see him,” Riddoch said.

If Harris returns, the Padres probably would bounce rookie Frank Seminara from the rotation, giving the Padres five veteran starters for the pennant drive.

The Padres, wanting to keep starter Bruce Hurst (12-6) on his usual schedule, have decided to start him Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds, skipping Seminara.

The Padres now will start Jim Deshaies (2-2) tonight against Chris Hammond (6-6), Craig Lefferts (12-7) against Tom Bolton (1-2) on Saturday, and Hurst against Tim Belcher (9-11) on Sunday.

Seminara probably won’t make another start until Friday in Pittsburgh.

“We just think that’s best for the ballclub,” Riddoch said. “We don’t want to get Bruce off track. He’s been our hottest pitcher of late, and we want to keep it that way.”

Hurst has won a season-high four consecutive decisions, yielding a 1.93 ERA. The Padres are 18-7 in games he starts.

Left fielder Jerald Clark left the game in the sixth inning with a strained left hamstring. His status is day to day.

The Padres can’t believe their fortune, and after Thursday’s loss to the Braves, they’ll take every bit of luck they can get.

Although their nine-game trip features the league’s three best teams--Atlanta, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh--the Padres have managed to avoid some top pitchers.

In Atlanta, they were able to avoid facing Tom Glavine (17-3) and Steve Avery, the Braves’ top two starters.

In Cincinnati, they’ll miss Jose Rijo (9-8) and Greg Swindell (11-5), the Reds’ best two starters.

In Pittsburgh, they’ll miss Doug Drabek (9-9) and rookie knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

“Someone’s looking after us,” Padre center fielder Darrin Jackson said, “and believe me, we’ll take it.”