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Padres Notebook: Defensive lapses bother Bochy most

By: JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Friday, April 29, 2005 11:21 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Two days after poor play prompted him to call a team meeting, Padres manager Bruce Bochy still was not a happy camper Friday.

Bochy is especially unhappy with his team's defensive play.

The Padres entered Friday with 18 errors, the most in the National League, and had a fielding percentage of .978, worst in the NL.

"Every game, I expect us to play major-league baseball," Bochy said. "We didn't make these kind of mistakes last year. We played bad baseball on that last road trip.

"Offensively, we're starting to come out of it. I know the defense will get tighter. We haven't caught the ball as well as last year."

Asked if the defensive lapses were chronic, Bochy said: "It depends on the time it consumes. A half-season of this would be chronic. It's not chronic in April. The mistakes we're making are magnified because we're playing in our division, but a nice winning streak would solve everything.

"Arizona was with us a week ago, but they reeled off six wins in a row and are in first place now. Obviously, we're not off to a hot start, but we will find our game. I guarantee you, in September the NL West will be a tight race."

Injury update

Shortstop Khalil Greene had X-rays of his broken right ring finger Friday. Bochy is hoping to have him back in seven to 10 days.

Utility man Eric Young, out with a dislocated right shoulder, was out of the ultra-protective sling he has been wearing and was put into something more comfortable. Trainer Todd Hutcheson said Young's rehab will determine if surgery is needed.

Speedy outfielder Freddy Guzman had surgery Friday on his throwing elbow. Hutcheson said normal recovery time is 12 months, but that Guzman could be throwing in as soon as four months.

Short hops

Tennis star Anna Kournikova, representing the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, threw out the first pitch Friday. OF Brian Giles served as the catcher, and he gave Kournikova a big hug and kiss after the pitch. ... Gary Wilson, principal at Torrey Pines High, delivered a nice rendition of the national anthem before the game as 1,200 students and faculty from the school looked on.