Padres say L.A. not best of West

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Sunday, September 19, 2004 9:28 PM PDT ∞

SAN FRANCISCO ---- The Los Angeles Dodgers' latest great escape only fueled the Padres' belief that their rival is more lucky than good.

The Dodgers beat Colorado 7-6 on Sunday on a Shawn Green homer with two outs in the ninth. They wiped out a five-run deficit for the second time in three days.

"Not to take anything away from them, but I definitely don't feel like they're the best team in the division," said Lawrence, Sunday's starter.

"But that's why you play the game ---- the best team doesn't always win. If that was the case, they'd give the trophy to the Yankees every year and call the season."

David Wells expressed a similar sentiment after pitching in Saturday's game, claiming that Jeff Weaver is Los Angeles' only "legitimate" starter.

"They've been getting lucky," Wells said. "They're the comeback kids. You have to give credit to their offense.

"We know we have a better team than the Dodgers. They've just been winning at the right time. That's why they're where they're at. It's frustrating to all of us that we are where we are."

Two Padres to tour

Padres pitchers Jake Peavy and Akinori Otsuka have been rewarded for breakthrough seasons with invitations to play on a team of Major League Baseball stars that will tour Japan in November.

They are among 28 big-league players selected for the biannual All-Star Series in Japan, which will pit the U.S. squad against the best from the Far East in eight games contested between Nov. 5-14.

"It's an honor to represent the country and represent Major League Baseball," said Peavy, who leads the National League in ERA at 2.40 and needs 15 2/3 innings in his final three starts to qualify for the title.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity, and I have to thank the Padres for letting me go. The parent club has to sign off on it, and they did that for me."

For Otsuka, the trip will be especially meaningful. Not only is he a Japanese native, but he played for his homeland in the 1998 series, an experience that convinced him that he wanted to become a major leaguer. Six years later, Otsuka is one of baseball's best relievers, with a 6-2 record and 1.90 ERA as Trevor Hoffman's setup man.

"I know I can play as a major-league all-star," Otsuka said through an interpreter. "I'm so happy now. I still can't believe it ---- it's amazing."

The U.S. roster hasn't been officially announced, nor has a manager been named. But among those who have signed on to participate are Roger Clemens, Albert Pujols, Alfonso Soriano, Miguel Tejada, David Ortiz, Moises Alou, Dontrelle Willis and Rancho Bernardo High graduate Hank Blalock.

Padres reliever Scott Linebrink has been selected as an alternate for this year's series.