Padres Notebook: He wants to play; he will in Triple-A

By: JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Wednesday, July 7, 2004 10:54 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Outfielder Kerry Robinson, who was sent outright to Triple-A Portland after Sunday's game with Kansas City, has accepted the assignment and reported to the Beavers.

Robinson, who was hoping for full-time work when he was acquired in a spring trade from St. Louis, never embraced his role as a reserve outfielder with the Padres.

Still, Padres manager Bruce Bochy wants Robinson and infielder Ramon Vazquez, who was optioned to Portland on Sunday, to get extended playing time. Bochy especially expects Vazquez to start every day and get plenty of at-bats before he is recalled after the All-Star break.

Vazquez started at second base for the Beavers on Tuesday. Portland manager Craig Colbert reported that Vazquez, who was hitting .125 (5-for-40 when he was sent down), appeared rusty at the plate in going hitless in four at-bats.

"We're going to need another shortstop after the All-Star break," said Padres manager Bruce Bochy. "Khalil Greene's going to need some days off, so it's important for Vazquez to get some at-bats, get himself right and get ready to help us at short and second in July, August and September."

The Padres are carrying 12 pitchers, a high number for a big-league club. So the likely move when Vazquez returns would be to drop a pitcher.

While Vazquez is virtually assured of returning, Robinson's future with the organization isn't as bright. Because he was assigned outright to Portland, he's now off the 40-man roster. Bringing him back would require at least two moves.

Short hops

Manager Bruce Bochy again was out early working with injured C Ramon Hernandez on his throwing mechanics. Bochy said he expects Hernandez, who has a strained left knee, to be activated off the disabled list when the team returns from the All-Star break on July 15. ... RHP Andy Ashby, who had reconstructive surgery on his pitching elbow, hopes to be throwing to hitters in August, well ahead of his scheduled return. ... RHP Brian Sweeney, who was optioned to Portland on June 30, had his best outing of the season Tuesday, hurling eight shutout innings for the Beavers and allowing just three hits (all singles) while striking out six in a 1-0 win over Edmonton.

On deck

vs. Colorado

WHERE: Petco Park

PROBABLE PITCHERS:

Tonight ---- RHP Jason Jennings (7-7, 6.49 ERA) vs. RHP Adam Eaton (4-7, 4.37), 7:05 p.m.

Friday ---- LHP Shawn Estes (8-4, 5.92) vs. LHP David Wells (4-5, 3.03), 7:05 p.m.

Saturday ---- RHP Aaron Cook (3-3, 5.59) vs. RHP Brian Lawrence (10-5, 3.79), 1:05 p.m.

Sunday ---- RHP Denny Stark (0-3, 11.00) vs. RHP Ismael Valdez (7-5, 4.98), 1:05 p.m.

TV: 4 SD tonight, Friday and Sunday; Channel 6 on Saturday

RADIO: XPRS (1090 AM); XEMO (860 AM, Spanish)

PREVIEW: The Padres (46-37) and Rockies (33-49) meet for the third time this season. The Padres took two of three in Colorado in late May, and the teams split a pair in San Diego in early June. ... The Rockies battered Eaton for 10 hits and eight earned runs in the middle game of the series in Colorado, a 13-6 Rockies win. Cook held the Padres to one run in 6 1/3 innings in the series finale before the bullpen gave it up in a 4-3 Padres win, with Phil Nevin driving in the winning run in the 10th inning on a sacrifice fly. Nevin was 7-for-13 with five RBIs in the series, and Jay Payton was 7-for-15 with four RBIs. ... Cook gave up one run in seven innings in San Diego, and Estes held the Padres to one run in six innings before the Padres won in 10 innings on a Payton single. ... The Rockies are fourth in the National League West, but boast a potent lineup. 1B Todd Helton entered play Wednesday hitting .352, tied for first in the NL. 3B Vinny Castilla has 27 doubles and 70 RBIs, and SS Royce Clayton is hitting .319 in night games and has 30 multihit games. OF Jeremy Burnitz has 17 homers and 55 RBIs.

---- John Maffei