The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 33

THE PALM BEACH POST MONDAY, APRIL 1 2, 1 993 7C Baseball Giants At A Glance Harris regains form, direction WHO'S HOT: After a dreadful start, third baseman Matt Williams was 4-for-8 in the final two games both victories against Pittsburgh. Williams won Sunday's game by driving in San Francis- co's final two runs with a solo homer and a sacrifice fly. Shortstop Royce Clayton is off to an 8-for-21 (.381) start. Reliever Rod Beck has been less than stellar but has saved two games. WHO'S NOT: First baseman Will Clark was hitless in four at-bats Sunday, dropping his average to 1 67 Left-hander Trevor Wilson, today's scheduled starter, gave up six earned runs in 3 innings in his first start.

INJURIES: Infielders John Patterson (rotator cuff) and Steve Scarsone (broken finger) are on the disabled FAST FACTS: West Palm Beach's Robby Thompson leads the team with five RBI. Today is the Giants' home opener and the Bay Area stars will be on parade. The Grateful Dead will perform the national anthem and Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry and Orlando Cepeda each will throw out first pitches. Barry Bonds finished the weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, his former employers, by going 0-for-4 Sunday. He was 2-for-12 in the series.

JEFF MILLER After second thoughts about his career, the Okeechobee resident is emerging as San Diego's stopper. By TOM D'ANGELO Palm Beach Post Staff Writer After spending the last two seasons in Las Vegas, San Diego manager Jim Riggleman knows how to play a hot hand. Sunday, he went to his ace in the hole and the move paid off. For the second time in three games, Gene Harris finished a Padres victory. The Okeechobee resident pitched a perfect l'3 innings to record the save Harris his first in the big leagues in two years in the Padres' 6-2 victory over the Marlins at Joe Robbie Stadium.

Harris pitched two hitless innings Friday for his first major league victory since 1990 as San Diego took 2-of-3 in the weekend series. "This is something I've waited three years for and I'm finally getting the opportunity," said Harris, 28. "There's been a lot of negative stuff the last two years of my career but I'm finally getting past that and going forward. I'm having fun now." Harris, who wasn't guaranteed a roster spot entering spring training, has emerged as the Padres' stopper. He's retired 10-of-ll batters, with one walk, and has won and saved San Diego's only victories this season.

The most im ji LOREN G. HOSACKStaff Photographer Marlins center fielder Scott Pose went l-for-4 against the Padres; Sunday at Joe Robbie Stadium. Florida left nine runners on base. a stern talk. Was his heart in the game, was all he asked.

If so, here's the baseball. If not, there's the door. Harris walked out of his office without saying a word. The next day, a new man showed up wearing a Stars uniform. Harris then portant out Sunday, came in the eighth inning when he faced Walt Weiss with the bases loaded and two outs.

San Diego was leading Harris offered one of his 90-plus mph fastballs and Weiss grounded to second base on the first pitch. "I cannot tell you how much of a boost that is," Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn said. "To see him throw the ball the way he has these two games is real encouraging. The hitter has to have a little bit of fear and he'll instill that fear. He's just coming in and overpowering people." In a city known for making or breaking dreams, Harris' career was revived.

Harris was sent to Las Vegas last season after being traded from Seattle. Riggleman, the Stars manager at the time, was concerned about Harris' outlook after the Mariners unloaded Harris when he took a two-week sabbatical from baseball. Harris felt he was misused as a middle reliever and quit. He contemplated returning to football, a sport in which he starred at Okeechobee High School and Tulane University. "There were a lot of things going through my mind," said Harris, who bounced between Seattle and Calgary for four seasons.

"I was discouraged by not getting the opportunity pitch. I had mixed emotions about the game. It was time to get out of there." When the Mariners made the trade for a minor league outfielder they figured Harris was now the Padres' problem. Or was he. "When he came here he was disenchanted with baseball," Riggleman said.

"And frankly, my patience was wearing thin." Riggleman sat Harris down for run every time. We need some extra-base hits." Singles are all the Padres needed in the first inning. Tony Gwynn and Jeff Gardner opened the game against Jack Armstrong (0-2) with base hits. After Gary Sheffield struck out, Fred McGriff singled in Gwynn. Gardner advanced a base on the play because the Marlins failed to cover third or call time.

The poor communication between Magadan, Weiss and Armstrong caused the miscue, which cost a run when Phil Plantier hit a sacrifice fly. "It was stupid," Magadan said. McGriff scored on Derek Bell's double to give the Padres all the runs they needed behind starter Andy Benes. The right-hander struck out seven and walked two and allowed just two runs. Armstrong settled down after the first inning and struck out 10 before leaving after seven innings.

His career-high strikeout mark included five in a row in the fourth and fifth innings. "I just started to go to my off-speed stuff," Armstrong said. "I used my change-up a lot and threw my slider, and by that point they were timed for my fastball." Magadan said he felt sorry the team didn't support Armstrong better, but the six-year veteran noted it is a long season. "Baseball's a funny game," he said. "Things can change Marlins can't get clutch hitting; Offense struggling, but Giants expect big show at Candlestick Marlins I iTiailiiHif-lZ SAN DIEGO'S Fred McGriff raised his average .130 points by going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored.

Tony Gwynn also had three hits. FLORIDA'S runs came on two-out singles by Walt Weiss and Orestes Destrade. BOB MCCLURE faced two batters and allowed two hits and one run. McClure has been called upon three times this season and the first batter has reached base each time. He has allowed four hits, one walk and one run in one-third of an inning.

Jack Armstrong not only took the loss, but struck out twice and stranded three runners. JUPITER'S Craig Shipley demonstrated why he won the Padres shortstop job. With runners on first and second in the sixth inning, Shipley went behind second base to field a ball hit by Steve Decker and made the flip to second baseman Jeff Gardner to start the double play. Center fielder Scott Pose made another great catch, robbing Gary Sheffield with a diving catch in left-center. FORT PIERCE'S Charles Johnson hit his first home run as a professional Saturday during Kane County's 17-3 victory over Beloit.

Johnson was the Marlins' first choice in the 1992 draft. Class AAA Edmonton improved to 3-0 after a 7-5 victory over Las Vegas Saturday. Dave Weathers was the winning pitcher and Chuck Jackson was 3-for-5 with two doubles and his second home run. Class A High Desert defeated San Bernadino 12-2 with Mike Whitten picking up the win. DEREK BELL'S first-inning double was the first ball hit off the scoreboard in left field.

The ball hit the Teal Curtain just above the Padres' line score and dropped straight down. "The first inning he had a little trouble putting the ball where he wanted to put it. After the second he was throwing the breaking ball for strikes and throwing the change-up for strikes. He's not overpowering but he puts the ball where he wants to put it." San Diego outfielder Gwynn on Armstrong. THE MARLINS debuted their uniform vests Sunday The Marlins' first homestand drew 253,907 fans for six games, an Report average of 42,318.

"The fans here have been great," Marlins outfielder Jeff Conine said. "I've really enjoyed it." Florida starts its first road trip today with a three-game series in San Francisco before going to Houston for three games starting Friday. Padres 6, Marlins 2 SAN DIEGO Gwynn rf Gardner 2b Sheffield 3b McGriff lb Plantier If R. Rodriguez Ge. Harris D.

Bell cf Geren Shipley ss Benes Sherman If TOTALS AB Bl BB SO Avg, .278 .235 .238 .263 .214 .222 .000 .118 .200 .333 0 1 0 I 1 11 FLORIDA AB Bl BB SO Avg. Pose cf Brlley rf Barberle 2b Destrade lb Conine If Magadan 3b Decker Weiss ss Armstrong Renteria ph McClure Carpenter Felix ph TOTALS 4 0 5 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .308 .143 .227 .217 .500 .211 .000 .333 .000 .500 0 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 1 33 .143 a 2 SAN DIEGO FLORIDA 300 001 011-4 13 0 011 000 000 -2 8 0 LOB-San Diego 6, Florida 9. 2B-Gwynn (2), Gardner (2), McGriff 2 (2), DBell (1), Shipley (2). RBI-Gwynn (2), McGriff (2), Plantier 2 (3), DBell (I), Destrade (3), Weiss (5). SB-Brlley (1).

SF-Plantler. GIDP-Geren, Barberle, Decker. Runners left in scoring position-San Diego 5 (Sheffield 3, Geren, Shipley); Florida 4 (Decker, Weiss 2, Armstrong). Runners moved up Gardner. DP San Diego 2 (Gardner, Shipley and McGriff), (Shipley, Gardner and McGriff); Florida 2 (Magadan, Barberie and Destrade), (Weiss and Destrade).

SAN DIEGO IP RER BB SO NP ERA Benes 1-1 7 8 2 2 2 7 103 6.35 R. Rodriguez 0 0 0 3 1 33 6.75 G. Harris 1 l'S 0 0 0 0 1 11 0.00 FLORIDA IP RER BB SO NP ERA Armstrong 0-2 7 4 4 10 93 5 40 McClure 0 2 1 1 0 0 II 27.00 Carpenter 2 2 1 1 0 1 15 3.00 McClure pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. Umpires Home, Runge; First, DeMuth; Second, Layne; Third, Reliford. A 42,372.

How the runs scored in Sunday's game between the Padres and the Marlins: Padre first: Gwynn singled down the left field line. Gardner singled to center, Gwynn to third. Sheffield struck out. McGriff singled to left, Gwynn scored, Gardner to second, Gardner to third on defensive indifference. Plantier hit sacrifice fly to center fielder Pose, Gardner scored.

Bell doubled to left, McGriff scored. Geren struck out. 3 runs, 4 hits, errors, 1 left on. Padres 3, Marlins 0. Marlins second: Destrade struck out.

Conine singled to center. Magadan singled to right, Conine to third. Decker struck out. Weiss singled to center, Conine scored, Magadan to second. Armstrong struck out.

1 run, 3 hits, errors, 2 left on. Padres 3, Marlins 1. Marlins third: Pose flied out to left fielder Plantier. Briley singled to left center. Briley stole second.

Barberie flied out to left fielder Plantier. Destrade singled to right center, Briley scored. Conine struck out. 1 run, 2 hits, errors, 1 left on. Padres 3, Marlins 2.

Padres sixth: McGriff doubled to right center. Plantier walked Bell singled to third, McGriff to third, Plantier to second. Geren grounded into double play, third baseman Magadan to second baseman Barberie to first baseman Destrade, McGriff scored, Plantier to third, Bell out. Shipley grounded out to second baseman Barberie. 1 run, 2 hits, errors, 1 left on.

Padres 4, Marlins 2. Padres eighth: McClure pitching, batting 9th. McGriff doubled down the left field line. Plantier singled to right center, McGriff scored. Carpenter relieved McClure.

Bell struck out. Geren lined into double play, shortstop Weiss to first baseman Destrade. 1 run, 2 hits, errors, 0 left on. Padres 5, Marlins 2. Padres ninth: Shipley doubled to left center.

Sherman flied out on bunt to catcher Decker. Gwynn doubled to right, Shipley scored. Gardner grounded out to second baseman Barberie, Gwynn to third. Sheffield lined out to center fielder Pose. 1 run, 2 hits, errors, 1 left on.

Padres 6, Marlins 2. TOM D'ANGELO AND VICTOR LEE Away game pitched in 18 games for Las Vegas and had four saves. He struck out 35 batters in 34'3 innings. He finished the season in San Diego. "When I pitch consistently I do well," Harris said.

"If I'm going to succeed in this league, this is the role for me." Padres can Pittsburgh, "is capable of ex-; ploding any time." Said Williams, who hit his! first home run Sunday: "If we can pick up Barry when he has an off day, we'll continue to win. And when Barry is hot, he can carry us." Today promises to be much of an event as a game: in the Bay Area. Bonds and the! Giants will be making their; home debuts with forecasters; calling for 70 degrees and lots of sun. It also will be the 'Stick; debut of rookie manager Dusty Baker, who is working witlj a team that likely is only or fifth-best in the top-heavy! National League West. The Giants are scheduled to start Trevor Wilson and Black in the opening two games of the series.

They will be the first left-handed starters the; Marlins face. "For us, it all comes down to pitching," Baker said. "I think it comes down to not walking peo- pie and our defense not givjng up extra outs. If you have great defense, you don't need a great pitching staff." 1 r' Private lessons Monthly golf schools Luxurious Dining in Aberdeen's spectacular Grand Clubhouse Outstanding Social Activities By JEFF MILLER Palm Beach Post Staff Writer SAN FRANCISCO He keeps hitting line drives, spraying shots all over the field just like he always has. And Will Clark keeps shaking his head, wondering where all his hits are hiding.

"I go through a streak every year where I hit the ball hard with nothing to show for it," said Clark, who brings a .167 average into today's game against Florida. "But I've never started a season like this. It's weird looking up and seeing .100 and .125 on the scoreboard next to your name." The Marlins' first road trip begins with three games at Candlestick Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, who had a 3-3 opening week despite inconsistent offense, Clark's stumbling start a fitting symbol. But they also have Barry Bonds, who came out swinging hot lumber, and Matt Williams, who has picked up the role of producer the past couple games. "This offense," Clark said after a 12-5 victory Saturday at Tr MARLINS From 1C the ballgame I just didn't come through," said Weiss, a career .203 hitter with runners in scoring position.

"It was a fastball and I tried to pull it. I should have gone the other way." Weiss drove in a run in the second inning, scoring Jeff Conine with a single. The Marlins got another run in the third inning when Greg Briley singled, stole second and scored on Orestes Destrade's single. There was nothing else but futility. Steve Decker had enough for the whole team.

Starting in Benito Santiago's place because it was a day game following a night game, Decker left five men on base. He struck out twice and hit into a double play that snuffed a rally in the sixth inning. "We've not hit the ball the way I think we're capable of doing," said manager Rene Lacheman. "We'll just keep working at it. We're not going to push the panic button." The players say they aren't pressing, but they are beginning to think about the lack of extra-base hits.

"It would certainly help erase the pressure if we could get a guy in with a double," said second baseman Bret Barberie, who was 0-for-4 and hit into a double play. "We wouldn't have to give up so many at-bats moving a runner up. It seems like we're playing for one POSTLINES see The Palm Beach Post From Tequesta south through Boynton Beach and west through WellingtonRoyal PaSm Beach, just dial 3 digits: 511 Up to a 5-minute call costs 35(i. Elsewhere, dial (900)990-9511. Cost is 350 per minute.

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