Clark’s Spark Ignites Padres : Baseball: Outfielder’s homer, diving catch key 5-3 victory over Cubs.

It must be destiny, right? Surely, timing can’t adequately explain Padre left fielder Jerald Clark’s revival.

Clark, the hero in the Padres’ 5-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon with his game-winning homer and game-saving catch, wasn’t supposed to be wearing a Padre uniform.

The Padres were close to a trade in June that would have sent Clark to the Boston Red Sox, only for the Red Sox to change their mind after Clark had a rotten series.

The Padres had plans to bench Clark for the second half of the season, only for Clark to get hot shortly before the All-Star break.

The Padres were set to play catcher Benito Santiago in left field at least twice a week, only for Clark to remain hot.

Perhaps, then, considering Clark’s timing this season, the occurrences of the eighth inning at Wrigley Field should come as no surprise.

With two outs and nobody on base, Cub starter Greg Maddux, apparently angered that teammate Ryne Sandberg nearly was hit with a pitch in the seventh inning, drilled Dan Walters on the left hip with a pitch.

Although Maddux denied he hit Walters on purpose, the intent was clear to home-plate umpire Ed Montague, who ejected Maddux.

“He was, without a doubt in my mind, throwing at him,” Montague said, “and that’s an ejection. Greg’s control is great. He’s a great competitor, and he’s going to protect his players. You hate to throw him out of the game, but that’s what the situation called for.”

Said Walters, readily agreeing: “I’d have to say he did it on purpose.”

So instead of facing one of baseball’s premier starters, Clark got the opportunity to hit off journeyman Jeff Robinson. Not a bad swap, considering Clark has a .176 average against Maddux.

Clark fell behind, 1-and-2, and hit the next pitch onto Addison Street for a two-run homer.

“I don’t want to say anything bad about that guy (Robinson),” Clark said, “but he’s not the same kind of pitcher as Maddux.”

Clark then preserved his status as hero in the eighth inning. The Cubs loaded the bases off relievers Rich Rodriguez and Jeremy Hernandez, and left-handed hitter Rick Wilkins was at the plate.

The count reached 2-and-2 when Wilkins hit a sinking, slicing line drive into left field.

“I think I would have played it on the hop,” Gold Glove right fielder Tony Gwynn said. “But Jerald decided to say, ‘No guts, no glory.’

“You had to have the guts to charge that ball, and if he makes that play, he gets the glory.”

Clark, reacting quickly when the ball was hit, caught the ball backhanded, perhaps a foot above the ground. Base runner Derrick May had begun running toward home, thinking the ball was going to fall. He had to retreat to third base, preventing Wilkins from even a sacrifice fly.

“There’s not another outfielder on our club who could make the play he did,” Gwynn said. “He ended up winning the game and saving the game.”

The eighth inning ended when Doug Dascenzo struck out, and Randy Myers pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 31st save, equaling his career high. The victory gave the Padres (72-62) their third consecutive victory on the road for the first time since July 18-21, keeping them within seven games of the Atlanta Braves.

Clark is hitting .322 in his last 54 games with six homers and 30 RBIs. Is this the same guy who was batting .188 with four homers and only 14 RBIs on June 28?

“I’m not trying to sound arrogant,” Clark said, “but I’ve always had confidence in myself and my abilities. I’m not trying to prove anything or to show anything, I’m just playing like I thought I could all along.”

Said Gwynn: “To me, it’s a matter of confidence. It seemed like everyone was down on him. Everyone gave up on him. (The media) gave up on him. The fans gave up on him. That’s why Jerald was down on himself.

“But Jerald realized he was the only one who could turn this thing around, he believed in himself, and he’s proven to people he can play.”

Perhaps Clark was an inspiration to Padre shortstop Tony Fernandez, who has hit only .204 since July 10. Fernandez on Saturday homered over the left-field wall; it was his third of the season and first since May 20.

“It seems like a long time since I’ve even got a hit,” Fernandez said. “At least they couldn’t catch that one.”

First baseman Fred McGriff also hit his league-leading 33rd homer of the season.

Triple Crown Watch

Batting Average

Gary Sheffield, Padres: .333

Andy Van Slyke, Pittsburgh: .331

John Kruk, Philadelphia: .322

Home Runs

Fred McGriff, Padres: 33

Gary Sheffield, Padres: 29

Barry Bonds, Pittsburgh: 26

Runs Batted In

Darren Daulton, Philadelphia: 94

Gary Sheffield, Padres: 92

Fred McGriff, Padres: 89