North County Times from Oceanside, California • 18

C-2 Blade-Citizen Monday. April 11, 1994 Sager confident despite shelling Said Riggleman: The weathers secondary to how his leg feels." Back-seat drivers Riggleman said he knew the second guessers would be out in force after he pulled Andy Benes in the seventh inning of Saturdays game with a 1-1 score and one out a strikeout Benes had just recorded. The Padres went on to lose, 15-L Riggleman pointed out that he had to pull No. 5 starter Scott Sanders out of a shutout the night before but nobody said a word about that The Padres won, 44). That was equally as tough a call, but that one was forgotten real quickly, Riggleman said.

I think its just because it was Andy that people think about this one. Road trip The Padres begin their first road trip of the season on Tuesday with the opener of a three-game series at Pittsburghs Three Rivers Stadium. Theyll follow that set with a three-game weekend series at SL Louis. The pitching matchups for the series against the Pirates, revised after Pittsburghs rainout Sunday: At 4.35 p.m. Tuesday, Andy Ashby (0-1) vs.

Steve Cooke (0-1). At 4.35 p.m. Wednesday, Tim Worrell (04)) vs. Denny Neagle (0-1). At 12 05 p.m.

Thursday, Andy Benes (02) vs. Paul Wagner (0-1). By John Schlegel Staff Writer SAN DIEGO If AJ. Sager were going to write a script for his first week in the big leagues, Saturday night's outing wouldnt be a part of it Sager faced seven batters, allowing a double and two home runs, to add the fiiel to the fire in Florida's eight-run seventh inning. The Marlins went on to post a 15-1 destruction of the Padres.

The day after, Sager seemed relatively unfazed. At 29, hes mature enough and has been playing long enough to get past such an explosive outing. Relievers definitely have to have a 24-hour mentality: Every day is a new day, said Sager, a veteran of six years in the minors. Last night, I was dejected and depressed over it But today the sun came up again and I was ready to try it again." Still, Sager certainly didn't want that kind of outing to be part of his opening week. His first week includes four relief appearances.

He now owns an 11.57 ERA and is allowing opposing hitters a .381 average. But his confidence remains intact I know I can pitch effectively at this level," Sager said. Last night didnt go well, but Im not going to get defensive about it and start pitching afraid. The first two games went really well and the last two didnt go so well. I guess Ive gotten a chance to deal with both sides of it" Gwynn saga The continuing story of Tony Gwynns availability to the Padres starting lineup will carry into the teams upcoming road trip.

Gwynn didnt start Sunday, and its not certain when he will start again. I got a report from the trainers just a couple of days ago that said he was at 60 percent," Padres manager Jim Riggleman said. Tony would play at 60 percent, but I cant let him play at 60 percent, or even 80 percent Wed never get rid of the injury if we keep doing that Gwynn says his left calf is ready to go, but now his left knee is stiffening up after a week of sitting on the bench and in the clubhouse during games. With todays travel day, Gwynn will get another days rest heading into Tuesdays series opener in Pittsburgh. But theres another factor there: the weather.

The Pirates game was rained out Sunday. Storms and cold weather are predicted for the Padres stay there. Is the w'eather a factor? W'ith my knee, it is," Gwynn said. On cold days, it gets stiff so I need to keep it loosened up. Its not as bad when Im playing, though.

Which list should you listen to? The list of Kentucky Derby candidates, which shows Brocco is best in the West after his Santa Anita Derby victory Saturday? Or the Vet's List posted the next morning, which shows Brocco is unsound? To the annoyance of trainer Randy Winick, state veterinarian B. William Bell said Sunday he saw the colt limp slightly on his right foreleg while cooling out in the receiving barn after the three-quarter-length victory. On a scale of one to 10, 10 being worst. I'd give him a one, said Bell, who didnt offer a diagnosis. I dont want this all blown out of shape.

I'm sure this horse wrill be fine and represent us well in the Kentucky Derby. Winick, totally shocked when Bell delivered the news by phone Sunday morning, said he and private veterinarian Michael Steppe thought the horse was walking perfectly immediately after the race. Apparently in the 30 minutes he was in the receiving barn, Dr. Bell thought he took some bad steps, said Winick, who wasnt there. The horse is fine.

Whether Brocco is injured seriously, slightly or not at all, his placement on the Vet's List for a minimum of five days means he will have to demonstrate soundness in a 5-furlong workout of 1:03 or faster before being allowed to race. Baseball EMASDNSu8leAPBES3 Mama 71-3 2 8 1 3M Gam 7 2 i 1 fl 2 21 20 Paw oacftati a I (a 7W HatM eiwa Mat) 1-4 Unat VI Hy Maaaa (Ami Gatan P-Ta (By lam-Rn Mato frit MrtcKw )d Rato TAa Wanaaaatil 23 A-MiH HOW THEY SCORED Aaa An Cai gratMM ad to ptam Wdaud Rada flaanatiBngl SnatoBAomaa BaAtoMoo Maa- adSmtanM Com.au out Daaraat tow 2 I Ms. atm 141 a MHl Mm6 Bataan HougfiangadBcwaa Cai av8 a Bug Id totonti (town. toati ou 8 6aaa Oat SUM dm tad dM 4 Mo a MougA 4 Cat asrad Csma4nd Oaaaada rwM aaa ana an wand tmmm a atom Guaanai a Aaaa- Pam Aw 64Mo4BngnaBa9 awad o4 wcond Wwaaa Bewra Oat a aa too aw Arm tatongara Sum a 14 Oat 8 waad cattail add pan Oat Bias Sum a damp Cm tarn tmarad ngi oa a 2-1 caat Oat aa Sum (pMB wawtv Auaitaawcmd at cum aouap Arm a worn wmm ftanmt aa 4. Pam 3 Balm Mto Data granuti d4 Bnrws Snatad Hand daw m4UwH coo Corn atom OdWddt anjao earn Corn tarn Ian aomwnd wna wont worn daw ana- totx out la Mauaai a ft.

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tmng i Mam a tarn paaa. paaig da CaMreoa a ww taang I Roam tdtm oiA Snrna me "4t canar Com mm 04 nan me past SmRtta acorn Oaaraaa asmad a -Ot on 12 com Banana dm a4 oat Baa 64 ia 2 aaa, an. I Mataa 4 Paarw I New York third baseman Bobby Bonilla dislocated his left shoulder hile trying to field Andqjar Cedenos decisive double. The Mets said the injury was not as serious as a ruptured ligament in the same shoulder that cut short Bonillas 1993 season, and would not require surgery. Bonilla is expected to miss at least four games.

The baseball season is barely a week old, but the Dodgers continue their mad scramble to find a roster that suits them. The next move figures to involve Cory Snyder, who opened the season on the disabled list with a sore right knee and likely will return to the roster at mid-week. If a roster move is made for Snyder, as expected (Billy Ashley would be a candidate for a return to Class AAA Albuquerque), it would mark the Dodgers fourth such roster adjustment in this young season. Harvey Pulliam hit a two-run home run and Brian Deak added a two-run double as the Las Vegas Stars scored four runs in the sixth to defeat the Tacoma Tigers 5-3 in the Pacific Coast League. Surfing CardifTs Albie McGarry won the mens division of the United States Surfing Federations second invitational in San Clemente.

Zach Keenen of Cardiff placed second. Carlsbad's Chris Strother was second in the junior division, while Cori Schumacher of Oceanside finished second in the open womens division. Oceansides Sean Gordon was second in the open bodyboard division. Boxing Pernell Whitaker earned $1.75 million for his latest WBC welterweight title defense. Now comes the big money.

Whitaker is guaranteed $18 million by HBO for four fights, according to promoter Dan Duva. The fights must be against other champions, such as IBF welterweight champion Felix Trinidad or WBA champion Crisanto Espana, with two exceptions. The current non-champions on the list are Julio Cesar Chavez and James Buddy McGirt McGirt, who won Saturday night on the card on which Whitaker easily outpointed Santos Cardona at the Scope, would appear at the top of the list to be Whitakers next opponent in September or October. Et cetera Jim Donaghy, a national baseball writer for The Associated Press since 1987, died of cancer. He was 37.

Possibly Perfect, a winner in six of nine starts since arriving from France last year, scored a half length victory over Pracer in the $212,800 Santa Barbara Handicap at Santa Anita. Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes captured their third tournament victory of the season at the $100,000 Miller Lite Open at Miami Beach by defeating Brian Lewis and Ricci Luyties in a double final, 15-9, 7-6, to take home the $20,000 first-place prize money. Bernie Kosar has a standing offer to return as the Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback. But hes hoping to join a team that will give him some more playing time. Kosar has spoken with Miami coach Don Shula, Kansas City coach Marty Schottenheimer and Washington coach Norv Turner about a job.

The Gulls dropped an 8-6 IHL decision to the Roadrunners at Phoenix Sunday. Padres the Padres worst nightmare. And starter Wally Whitehurst absorbed the brunt of the beating. Whitehurst surrendered Sheffield's first homer in the first inning, a two-run shot Then he gave up Sheffields two-run double in the third, a ball Sheffield ripped down the third-base line. And Sheffields towering solo homer in the fifth began with a Whitehurst pitch as well.

Whitehurst ((42) lasted just 4 2 13 innings, giving up six earned runs on eight hits while walking four and striking out three. I thought Wally was OK," Riggleman said. It's just that Sheffield was so hot If Wally had had better success against him, he could have stayed out there for a long time." And Sheffield is adjusting to being on the Marlins' side. Although he was traded to his home state, it took him a long time to come to grips with the fact that he was no longer in the perfect place" for him San Diego. It took the whole offseason, he said.

Id be talking to Derek Bell, and they were talking about trading him so I could kind of sympathize with what was going through his mind. I just told him to block it out and go out and play." But later Bell and Sheffield heard the news that Padres left fielder Phil Planner was signed to a two-year, $2.5 million contract just before the season started. Bell was still thought to be on the trading block at the time. While its obvious by his play that Bell, who will make $385,000 this season, has blocked that from his mind, Sheffield has a harder time understanding the situation. For Planner to go out and have a good year for the first time he ever had a good year and then they throw money at him, it makes you think, Why dont they do the same thing for Derek Bell? Sheffield said.

The situation here, its amazing how they want to trade Derek but they dont want to trade Phil Plantier. Theyre the same type players, but I think Dereks a better hitter as far as average. As an all around player, you've got to give the edge to Derek Bell. They're both young, so why would you trade the best player on your team?" Uh, Gary, they already did that last June, remember? Essentially, Stone said Riggleman had accused Sheffield and fellow ex-Padre Fred McGriff of giving up and not playing hard before they were traded away from San Diego. Riggleman has not made such statements on the record, although he did say this spring he felt he was held back by management from disciplining players for not playing hard.

Regardless, Sheffield is still not happy with Riggleman. I was upset that hed make a statement like that, like me and Fred were quitters," Sheffield said. Hes never been put in a situation like that, so he really doesn't understand what a player feels when he's happy and he's glad to be in a certain place. I found happiness here. It's hard to take happiness away from somebody and have them take it real well.

It wasnt that I didnt give it my all out on the field, but there was just a lot of things going through my mind and also Fred's mind, Im sure. For a guy to make a statement like that, sometimes he makes statements out of line himself. He needs to check himself. On Sunday night, Sheffield was From Page C-1 the Padres. The 25-year-old star has a career batting average of .367 at Jack Murphy Stadium and has hit home runs there once every 13.7 at-bats.

I always said San Diego was the perfect place for me, Sheffield said. That was the same thought of all those Padres fans who were so incensed when he was sent away last June 24, traded to the Marlins along with reliever Rich Rodriguez for reliever Trevor Hoifman and two minor league pitchers. Sheffield wasnt crazy about the trade, either. He truly had enjoyed playing for the Padres. That was the best time of my career, and thats the part Ill never forget, he said.

Sheffield also wont forget the comments attributed to Padres manager Jim Riggleman that he heard last summer. They were passed along by Chicago Cubs broadcaster Steve Stone on a Cubs-Padres broadcast, and Sheffield was shocked to hear them. Former Texas basketball coach Abe Lemons said he came within two strokes of winning a car in a golf tournament: It was a hole-in-one contest and I had a Sanchez Vicario ends title drought from the tournament and fly to his bedside, he insisted that she remain here to defend her title. Sampras rolls on Pete Sampras, making the most of his powerful serve, beat Michael Chang 64, fr2 to win the Japan Open for the second straight year. Japans Kimiko Date, rebounding from an 0-4 deficit in the first set, defeated Amy Frazier 7-5, 64).

capturing the womens title for the third consecutive year. Sampras, the worlds top-ranked player, extended his winning streak to 21 matches, the longest so far on the ATP Tour. He has won six tournaments this season including the Salem Open last week in Osaka. Japan. I served pretty well," Sampras said.

So I played aggressively when he (Chang) was serving." Sampras earned $156,000 and Chang, the second seed, won $82,100. He (Sampras) served very well today and played consistently," Chang said. I should play more aggressively on his second service." Before a crowd of 9,400 at Tokyos Ariake Colosseum, Sampras broke the service of his American compatriot in the third game after deuce and held the next game at love. He let four break points slip away in the seventh game, and Chang fired three consecutive service aces in keeping the ninth game at love before Sampras served out the first set B-C Wire Services The crowd was not in her corner. Her father was in a hospital back home in Spain after suffering a heart attack on Tuesday.

Her opponent was desperate to end a two-year slump without a title. But none of these troubling predicaments were sufficient to dissuade top-seeded Arantxa Sanchez Vicario from ending her own 11-month drought without a title by putting up a vehement and successful defense of her 1993 Bausch Lomb Championships at Amelia Island, Fla. She saved her most torrid tennis for the most torrid afternoon of a cloudless week on this semitropical island, saved her most energetic topspin and defiant drop shots till last Sanchez Vicario did everything but chase fourth-seeded Gabnela Sabatini from the court on Sunday in crafting a 6-1, 6-4 victory, her first title since her victory in May 1993 at the star-crossed event in Hamburg, Germany, where Monica Seles was stabbed and sidelined from the sport she had ruled supreme. Since then Steffi Graf has replaced Seles at the top, with Sanchez Vicario, renowned for her durability and consistency, behind her in the ranking, It was great to get to a final and finally win, said Sanchez Vicario, who had twice been runner up to Graf this year but had lost in the quarterfinals of her previous two tournaments. But physically and mentally I was very strong this week.

I was always the one ho con- Tennis trolled the match during the whole tournament She certainly controlled this one, just as she had in Saturday's straight-set semifinal against another crowd favorite, Martina Navratilova. In that match, she shrugged off a 1-13 career record against Navratilova; in this final, she defeated Sabatini for the sixth time in their last seven meetings. On Sunday, Sanchez Vicario steamed to a 4-0 lead in the opening set Temporarily set on her heels at the start of the second set she remedied a 3-1 deficit with a three-game winning spree during which she committed just a single unforced error. She really had a strategy there," said Sabatini, hose curious absence from the winners circle has now stretched to 33 events.She played very deep, high balls," she said. All the balls were landing close to the baseline and it was hard to do anything with them.

You need to be patient against her, and today I didn't have everything together. There's no way you can win against her if physically you are not 100 percent, said Sabatini, who nonetheless considered this week's trip to the final a positive step. Sanchez Vicario plowed through the draw this week despite knowing her father, Emilio, was ailing. On Tuesday he had a heart attack, but when he heard she intended to withdraw Associated Prats Photo Peta Sampras gets to a shot from Michael Chang in Japan Open..