PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / SCOTT MILLER : Dodgers’ Lasorda Still Angry Over Ejection Tuesday by Poncino

Manager Tommy Lasorda was still angry on Wednesday about being tossed out of the Dodgers’ 6-3 victory Tuesday by home-plate umpire Larry Poncino.

“The guy behind the plate doesn’t know a fastball from a changeup,” Lasorda said.

Gary Sheffield was hit by an Orel Hershiser changeup in the first inning and then by a Hershiser fastball in the third. Crew chief Harry Wendelstedt warned each bench after the second ball hit Sheffield.

Two batters later, with Benito Santiago standing at the plate, Poncino ejected Lasorda.

Lasorda’s point was that, if Hershiser was throwing at Sheffield intentionally, both pitches would have been fastballs.

“(Poncino) said a fastball hit him,” Lasorda said. “That’s what I was arguing about.”

Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said neither he nor Sheffield thought Hershiser was headhunting, either.

“It wasn’t intended,” Riddoch said. “You usually don’t try to hit people with a changeup.

“I asked Sheff the second time, ‘Do you think he was throwing at you?’ He said, ‘Nope, I don’t think so.’ ”

*

Dodger outfielder Eric Davis will undergo surgery today to repair his injured left wrist, hand and shoulder.

*

Lasorda spoke with Dodger outfielder Darryl Strawberry for the first time since Strawberry’s back surgery on Tuesday.

“He sounded real good,” Lasorda said. “He’s in good spirits. He thought everything worked out well. He thought everything was a success.”

Pat Screnar, the Dodgers’ physical therapist, said Strawberry was even up walking up and down the hospital hallway on Wednesday.

“For the next month, he’ll just be on a walking around program while the incision is healing,” Screnar said. “In three to four weeks he will resume a lot of the program he had been doing up until the surgery--an aggressive strengthening program for his muscles and back.”

Screnar said he expected Strawberry to remain hospitalized for a couple of more days.

Given their present circumstances, the Dodgers must be content to dream.

“I know one thing,” Lasorda said. “He’s going to be healthy again and have a great year next year. I know that.”

*

Scoring change: The error charged to Sheffield in the ninth inning on Tuesday on a ball hit by Jose Offerman has been changed to a base hit.

*

Tony Gwynn missed his eighth consecutive game because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Although Gwynn said it is improving, he cannot yet run.

“I’m waiting for a brace before I start running,” he said.

However, he is taking batting practice.

In addition, second baseman Craig Shipley was scratched before the start of Wednesday’s game with a sore rib cage.

Shortstop Tony Fernandez’s hyperextended left knee is still sore--Fernandez said it hurts when he moves to his left. He is remaining in the lineup, though.

*

The Padres announced a second round of games as part of the “Padres Care” promotion.

The Padres, in conjunction with the California Employment Development Dept., Jack in the Box and Service America Corp., will provide two free tickets for those drawing unemployment to either the Sept. 23 or Sept. 24 games against the Houston Astros.

In addition to tickets, those who qualify will be provided a coupon for a free chicken sandwich and two free hot dogs and Cokes.

To qualify, those interested must bring an EDD check stub, dated either Aug. 22 or Sept. 5, to the Padre Box Office at Stadium Gate C.

*

Pitching matchups for this weekend’s Padre-Cincinnati series: The Padres’ Bruce Hurst (14-8) vs. Tim Pugh (2-1) on Friday, Frank Seminara (8-3) vs. Bobby Ayala (0-1) Saturday and Greg Harris (2-7) vs. Tim Belcher (12-14) Sunday. . . . There was a balloon bouquet attached to the locker of Orel Hershiser, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Wednesday.