Gwynn’s the Star as Dodgers Beat Padres in Ninth : Baseball: For once, however, it’s Chris, not Tony, who earns the accolades with winning home run in 4-2 victory.

He is known simply as Tony Gwynn’s younger brother.

He doesn’t win batting titles. He doesn’t win Gold Gloves. He doesn’t have an annual appointment to the All-Star game. He is unlikely to be going to the Hall of Fame.

Dodger outfielder Chris Gwynn won’t have any of that but, as Tony will tell you, Chris is the lucky one.

He’s the one who has the opportunity to earn his second World Series ring.

In one of the most dramatic moments of the Dodger season, Chris Gwynn hit a one-out, pinch-hit, two-run homer in the ninth inning, providing the Dodgers with a 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn could only turn his back and watch the ball sail over his head into the Padre bullpen as the paid crowd of 52,082 at Dodger Stadium went into a frenzy.

Gwynn crossed home plate and was mobbed by the entire team, while catcher Mike Piazza jumped into the pile as if Gwynn had just scored a winning touchdown. He tried to go back into the dugout, but his teammates pushed him back onto the field for a curtain call.

Gwynn was asked if he could remember his last curtain call.

Heck, he could barely remember his last home run . . . July 24, 1994.

This is a guy who’s considered the nicest guy on the team. He’s everyone’s friend. If you can’t get along with Gwynn, you’ve got problems.

Yet, when you go 10 weeks between base hits, and start one game in three months, folks start forgetting about you.

“I felt like I got rid of a lot of frustration,” Gwynn said. “You can’t stay bad forever. I went through a stretch where I was terrible.

“Believe me, it was very gratifying.

“I’m lost for words.”

Gwynn’s home run enabled the Dodgers (73-64) to move within half a game of the division-leading Colorado Rockies before their three-game showdown beginning Monday at Dodger Stadium. They also remain 1 1/2 games ahead of the Houston Astros in the wild-card race.

“It couldn’t have come at a nicer time,” Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda said. “That was a big win for us. That was a big, big win. That was big, all the way around.

“All I kept saying was, ‘Hit one over your brother’s head. Let him watch it. Do to him what he does to us.’ ”

Gwynn, who couldn’t even hear the crowd much less Lasorda, was summoned after Roberto Kelly’s one-out single against Doug Bochtler. He worked the count to 2-and-2 and then swung at a fastball. He couldn’t have hit the ball better if he were taking batting practice off coach Mark Cresse.

“I’ve gotten some big hits before,” Gwynn said, “but never a game-winning home run.”

Gwynn’s homer made a winner of Dodger starter Ismael Valdes (13-11), who pitched a seven-hitter.

The Dodger offense has been scuffling along all week, batting .215, but thanks to seven unearned runs, the team has won three of five games during this home stand.

“I think the biggest thing is we haven’t been having any fun,” Piazza said. “We’re playing not to lose sometimes.

“Hey, we should enjoy it. This is what it’s all about. There’s no need to get down about it. Have fun.

“You get into such a mental rut sometimes. If we don’t win it, let’s at least lose by playing aggressively.”

“If we get into the playoffs, I don’t know if I’ll be able to take it because I’ll have ulcers.”

Said Dodger second baseman Delino DeShields, who was moved up to fifth in the batting order while Raul Mondesi was dropped to seventh: “We were loose coming off the trip, and then everyone started tightening up, saying, ‘We have to win.’

“I really don’t think this team will be relaxed until we make the playoffs. I think we’ll be much better when this thing is over with.

“I know it sounds crazy, but I think there’ll be less pressure on us when we make the playoffs because no one expects us to win.”

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Batting Race

A look at how the battle between the Padres’ Tony Gwynn and the Dodgers’ Mike Piazza for the National League batting title is shaping up:

Player: Gwynn

AB: 508

H: 187

AVG: .365

(Saturday: 0 for 4)

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Player: Piazza

AB: 409

H: 145

AVG: .351

(Saturday: 0 for 4)