BASEBALL : Padres’ Benes, Jackson Win Arbitration

Pitcher Andy Benes and center fielder Darrin Jackson San Diego Padres won their salary arbitration cases Tuesday as Atlanta Brave second baseman Mark Lemke was the only player to lose on the first day decisions were issued.

Seven other players settled, leaving 69 in arbitration. Second baseman Jody Reed and the Dodgers agreed at $2.5 million, an increase for Reed of $900,000.

Benes, 13-14 with a 3.35 earned-run average last season, saw his salary quadruple to $2.05 million when arbitrator William Gould chose his figure rather than the Padres’ offer of $1.55 million. The decision might affect other pitchers with three years of service, such as Ramon Martinez of the Dodgers, Kevin Appier of the Kansas City Royals, Jaime Navarro of the Milwaukee Bucks, Kevin Tapani of the Minnesota Twins and Ken Hill of the Montreal Expos.

Jackson was awarded $2.1 million by Reginald Alleyne instead of the Padres’ $1.5-million offer. Jackson made $805,000 last season, when he batted .240 with 17 homers and 70 runs batted in.

Lemke was given $550,000 by James Duff instead of the player’s request for $925,000. Lemke batted .227 last season with six homers and 26 RBIs, and made $250,000.

Three Braves in arbitration were among the players who settled Tuesday. Shortstop Jeff Blauser agreed to $2 million, doubling his $940,000 salary last year. Reliever Kent Mercker agreed to $712,500, more than triple the $190,000 he made in 1992. Catcher Damon Berryhill agreed to $975,000, an increase of $605,000.

Catcher Mike Macfarlane and the Royals agreed to $1,175,000, an increase of $435,000. First baseman Ricky Jordan and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to $1 million, an increase of $340,000. Outfielder Henry Cotto, who returned to the Mariners after becoming a free agent, agreed with Seattle to $900,000, an increase of $25,000.