Newfield Is Big at Plate for Padres

San Diego Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn followed his normal game-day routine before Wednesday night’s game against the Dodgers.

The all-star watched television as he rode his stationary bike at home before leaving for Jack Murphy Stadium.

But driving to the stadium was an adventure for Gwynn, who had his right foot put in a cast after suffering an Achilles’ tendon injury. Expected to be sidelined for a month, he went on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday.

“It was an interesting trip driving down here,” Gwynn said. “I got on the freeway and I couldn’t merge. I couldn’t put my foot on the pedal. It’s amazing what you take for granted. I was on cruise control the whole way here. I’m definitely going to have to wait until traffic clears out of here before I get out of here tonight.

“It hurts to not be a part of what’s going on, but I’ve still got a shot [at playing again] this year,” Gwynn said. “If I’d have ruptured it, I’d be through. We’re playing the Dodgers and it’s an important time in the season because we’ve just come off a really bad run and then these guys get hit with this bombshell that I’m not going to be here, that’s frustrating.”

Life without Gwynn could be as difficult for the Padres as Mr. Gywnn’s wild ride unless left fielder Marc Newfield can produce.

Although he hit into a bases-loaded double play in the first inning, Newfield’s bouncer up the middle in the seventh drove in the winning run in the Padres’ 3-2 victory over the Padres.

“It’s one of the biggest chances of my life,” Newfield said. “I want to show people that I can play every day and hit up here.”

Newfield, who’s batting .302 with four home runs 21 RBIs, showed the Dodgers that he can hit.

Newfield broke a 2-2 tie when he drove in Rickey Henderson with a two-out infield single in the seventh inning off Ramon Martinez.

Newfield drove in the Padres’ first run when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the third inning.

Newfield failed to produce in his first at-bat.

With the bases loaded and one out in the first inning, Newfield grounded into an inning-ending double play to catcher Mike Piazza, who stepped on the plate for a force out and threw out Newfield at first.

Newfield is getting tired of talking about replacing Gwynn.

“I know I’m not really filling in for Tony,” Newfield said. “I can’t do what Tony does, nobody can. I’ve got to go out there and play my game.

“I don’t put pressure on myself. I know what I can do, I’ve just got to get it done. That’s the bottom line. It’s going to take me a couple games before I feel comfortable up there.”

Newfield, 23, who was selected as a first baseman by the Seattle Mariners with the sixth pick in the 1990 draft after leading Marina High of Huntington Beach to the CIF 5-A title, doesn’t feel comfortable playing right field, so Henderson moved from left to right so that Newfield can play left.

“I got drafted as a first baseman and they put me in left,” Newfield said. “I’ve never played right field or center. Going over there now I don’t feel comfortable. If I have to play over there I can, but I feel more comfortable in left.”