Vaughn Reaches 40-Homer Mark

Greg Vaughn had the big hits and Quilvio Veras did the little things for the San Diego Padres.

Vaughn became the fourth player to reach 40 home runs this season, and Veras scored the go-ahead run on Mike Redmond’s passed ball as San Diego defeated the Florida Marlins, 7-5, Tuesday night.

“We found a way. That’s something special in this clubhouse,” said Vaughn, who reached the 40-homer mark for the second time.

“We never quit. We’ve got too much character and too much heart.”

Vaughn sparked San Diego’s four-run first inning with a run-scoring double, then lined Kirt Ojala’s first pitch of the fourth over the left-field scoreboard.

Vaughn, who tied the team record set by Ken Caminiti two years ago, also broke a homerless streak of 40 at-bats, dating to an Aug. 4 homer against Philadelphia.

“It’s been a while,” Vaughn said. “I’m just trying to keep it as simple as possible. You can do too much thinking up there and chase pitches.

“I hope tomorrow I can just see the ball and take a swing.”

Veras, who reached base five times, broke a tie in the eighth after Florida rallied from a 5-0 deficit. He reached on a two-out walk from Antonio Alfonseca (2-6), went to third on Steve Finley’s single to right and scored when Redmond mishandled Alfonseca’s hanging slider to Vaughn.

“I take total responsibility,” said Redmond, who entered the game with one passed ball. “I feel like I cost us the game. It was completely my fault.”

Ojala gave up five runs--four earned--eight hits and five walks in four innings.

Marlin shortstop Edgar Renteria was held out of the starting lineup to rest a bruised right knee. He struck out as a pinch-hitter.