Gwynn Goes on Disabled List

San Diego Padre outfielder Tony Gwynn’s march to 3,000 hits, which had been reduced to a limp, has now been temporarily halted altogether.

Bothered by a strained left calf, Gwynn, with 2,982 hits, was put on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, retroactive to June 20. Taking his place on the roster was right-hander Andy Ashby, who was activated in time to start Thursday night’s game against the Dodgers.

“It would be easy to sit here,” Gwynn said, “and be frustrated and say, ‘Hey, I’m this close to 3,000. What the hell’s going on?’ But I take the approach that it could be worse. It could have been my Achilles’ again, and I could be done.”

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Padre rookie second baseman David Newhan got his fourth career start Thursday and his first at Dodger Stadium. Newhan called it “unreal” to be in the starting lineup in a stadium where he grew up, following around his father, Ross, the Times’ national baseball writer.

“I think the first time I was here,” Newhan said, “it was in my mother’s belly.”

Newhan said he was never tempted to follow in his father’s footsteps.

“I always knew,” he said, “I wanted to be the guy in the uniform.”

Any nerves about playing in Dodger Stadium?

“My father gets more nervous than I am.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--San Francisco Giants, three games.

* Site--3Com Park.

* Tonight--7:30.

* TV--Channel 5 tonight, Channel 11 Saturday, ESPN Sunday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 32-38, Giants 40-33.

* Record vs. Giants (1998)--6-6.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(8-4, 2.92 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’

SHAWN ESTES

(4-4, 4.91)

* Update--After playing 15 of their last 18 at home, the Dodgers hit the road for 10 of their next 13. This three-game series at San Francisco will be followed by three in San Diego. Those who question whether Brown, as solid as he has been, is worth $105 million wouldn’t do so if his career statistics matched those he has compiled while facing the Giants. In seven career starts against San Francisco, Brown is 6-0 with a 0.58 ERA.

* Saturday, 1 p.m.--Carlos Perez (2-8, 7.38) vs. Chris Brock (5-6, 5.36).

* Sunday, 5 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (4-5, 5.14) vs. Mark Gardner (1-6, 7.28).

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Editor’s note: Because of press problems, some editions Thursday did not contain the Dodger box score and complete game story.