McGriff Pounds His 35th Homer in Padre Victory : Baseball: By beating Houston, 3-2, Padres assured of at least a .500 finish.

General Manager Joe McIlvaine cringes at the notion of the Padres without All-Star first baseman Fred McGriff.

How easily it could have happened.

McGriff, who hit a two-run homer Thursday in the Padres’ 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros in front of 10,417 at the Astrodome, originally was scheduled to be a free agent after this season.

If the Padres had not taken action in January, 1991, McGriff would be sitting home in a week, listening to five-year offers for $25 million. Maybe $30 million. Maybe even more.

What would have happened if McGriff were eligible for free agency?

“I’ll tell you what would have happened,” said McIlvaine, shaking his head. “He wouldn’t be with us, I’ll tell you that. There’s no way we could have afforded him.”

McIlvaine, however, signed McGriff to a four-year, $15.25-million contract the month after McGriff was acquired in a four-player trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Padres even have a $4 million option in 1995. McGriff, who has put together two consecutive 30-home run, 100-RBI seasons, has emerged as one of the greatest bargains in the game.

“McIlvaine made a real good move with me,” McGriff said. “He’s got to be laughing. I know I could have made more if I waited. I could have made a lot more.

“But I’m happy. I’ve got security for my family. I’ve got everything I’ve wanted. Really, unless I did something real stupid, I’m set for life.”

Instead of talking or asking to have his contract renegotiated, McGriff is putting together the greatest power-hitting season no one has heard about. In a season in which the third baseman Gary Sheffield has been the center of attention for the Padres, McGriff could wind up winning two-thirds of the triple crown.

McGriff on Thursday ended his drought of 81 at-bats without a homer with his league-high 35th in the fourth inning off Astro starter Ryan Bowen. And with 103 RBIs, he’s only five behind league-leader Darren Daulton of Philadelphia. Not bad numbers for a man who has been walked 96 times this season, including 22 times intentionally.

“I think this has been my best season,” McGriff said, “just because of what I went through. I know I’ve never had a tougher season than this. Pitchers have been pitching around me all year.”

Said McIlvaine: “It’s amazing what he’s done because we haven’t had protection for him in the lineup. He keeps putting up numbers that put people in the Hall of Fame. He’s that good.”

McGriff’s heroics helped the Padres (81-77) clinch at least a share of third place and finish with at least a .500 record for the fourth time in the past five years. The Padres’ magic number is only one to eliminate the Astros for sole possession of third and the extra $3,000 per man that goes along with it.

“(Dann) Bilardello and the guys have been telling me we need to come in third place,” McGriff said, “so they can get upgrades for their house. I don’t think it’s anything to be proud of, but we’ve overcome a lot.

“I think you’ll see a more aggressive team next year.”

Certainly, if Padre starter Greg Harris returns to the form he displayed Thursday, the Padres’ kchances will be enhanced greatly.

Harris yielded a season-low three hits in seven innings, extending his career record to 8-0 against the Astros.

For the first time since last Friday, the Padre bullpen finally hung onto a lead. They still managed to make it interesting when Randy Myers yielded a leadoff homer to Jeff Bagwell in the ninth, but Myers escaped with his 38th save. It’s the second-highest total in Padre history.

“I’m just glad I could finish strong after the year I had,” said Harris (4-8), who spent two stints on the disabled list.

Harris, who will go to Puerto Rico after the season to pitch winter ball, vows to return as the pitcher the Padres envisioned when they signed him to a two-year, $3 million contract last winter. He just hopes he’ll be able to recognize some of his teammates when he comes back to San Diego.

“Even though my season is over,” Harris said, “the thing that bothers me is the stuff I keep hearing about guys leaving. I just hope ownership realizes that if we keep the ballclub together, we’ll be OK.”

Still, free agents Myers and Benito Santiago are expected to be gone. Starter Bruce Hurst, who’s scheduled to be examined by Dr. James Andrews for his inflamed shoulder, probably will be traded.

The Padres toyed with the idea of playing second baseman Kurt Stillwell at shortstop in one of the doubleheader games against Atlanta tonight, preparing for the possibility.

“We talked about it,” Padre Manager Jim Riggleman said, “but I really don’t want to send any negative messages out there. Kurt’s been playing second all year, and if he boots a ball, I don’t want him thinking we have bad thoughts about him playing that position.

“I really don’t know what’s going to happen, but as long as Fred’s back, I think we’ll be all right.”