Power Support Energizes Ashby

After tying David Cone and Pedro Martinez for the most victories in the majors this season, Andy Ashby wanted to talk about his team.

Backed by homers from Tony Gwynn, Ken Caminiti and Greg Myers, Ashby won his 15th game as the San Diego Padres defeated the Montreal Expos, 4-1, on Sunday.

“Without these guys behind me doing what they do on the field, the numbers wouldn’t be what they are,” Ashby said.

Ashby (15-6) held the Expos to one run and six hits in eight innings. He struck out five.

“It’s nice to go out there and know you have these guys behind you . . . but it’s something you don’t harp on,” Ashby said. “It’s ‘stay on an even keel, get ready in five days and go out and try to help your ballclub win.’ ”

It was Ashby’s first win in six decisions against Montreal.

“He keeps getting better every year and this year he’s come into his own,” San Diego Manager Bruce Bochy said.

Caminiti and Myers hit solo homers in the sixth inning for NL West-leading San Diego.

Caminiti hit his 20th homer on Javier Vazquez’s (3-10) first pitch of the inning to tie the score, 1-1. After Wally Joyner flied out to the warning track in center field, Myers hit his third homer of the season.

Trevor Hoffman pitched a perfect ninth for his 36th save.

Gwynn put the Padres ahead, 4-1, with his 11th homer of the season, a two-run shot in the seventh.

“In my last at-bat, [Vazquez] threw me a couple of fastballs and I was really late on it,” Gwynn said. “I finally said, ‘Forget it, I’m just going to look for the heater. He’s been pumping it, so let me see if he’ll throw another one.’ He did and he threw it inside and I really put a good swing on it.”

Montreal’s Vladimir Guerrero went three for four with a triple and an RBI single. He is hitting .412 with 11 homers and 30 RBIs in his last 25 games.

Guerrero singled off Ashby with two out in the first inning to drive home his brother Wilton from second.

“It feels good seeing my brother score,” Vladimir Guerrero said. “I know my brother is a player and will go out and give 100%. I hope this team will give him the opportunity to keep on doing it.”

Wilton, acquired on Friday in the seven-player trade that sent Carlos Perez and Mark Grudzielanek to the Dodgers, beat out a grounder to shortstop Chris Gomez for a one-out infield single in his first at-bat with the Expos.

Wilton advanced to second on Derrick May’s hit-and-run grounder to second baseman Quilvio Veras and came home on Vladimir’s sharply hit grounder past Ashby into center.