PADRES NOTEBOOK: Dodgers in full meltdown mode

| Thursday, July 27, 2006 2:16 AM PDT ∞

BRIAN HIRO - Dodgers in full meltdown mode

LOS ANGELES ---- While the Padres were calmly managing another brutally hot Southern California day, the Los Angeles Dodgers were losing their cool.

The mounting frustration of 12 losses in 13 games since the All-Star break spilled over into the dugout Wednesday afternoon during the Padres' 10-3 win. After the Padres' four-run third inning, Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny confronted center fielder Kenny Lofton over what he perceived as Lofton's slowness in pursuing Dave Roberts' ground ball to right-center that went for a double when Roberts hustled into second.

The two players eventually had to be separated by first-base coach Mariano Duncan.

"That's the last thing you're looking for is dissension in the clubhouse," Padres infielder Geoff Blum said.

Yet clubhouse dissension is becoming all too familiar to the Dodgers, who plummeted from a division title in 2004 to 91 losses last year in part because of the constant clashing of second baseman Jeff Kent and since-departed outfielder Milton Bradley.

Strong chemistry is considered one of the Padres' assets, but don't expect them to feel sorry for the Dodgers.

"Grady Little is a good manager, and I think these guys will bounce out of it," Padres pitcher Jake Peavy said. "But it's good for us to take advantage while we can."

After the game, Penny apologized to Lofton, and both players said they succumbed to frustration.

Rangers' remorse?

With each eye-popping performance, Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez makes the Texas Rangers look more and more foolish for trading him in January.

The Rangers' rationale was that Gonzalez's path to the major leagues was blocked by 26-year-old Mark Teixeira, an All-Star and a Gold Glove winner in 2005. This season, however, Gonzalez is outproducing Teixeira. After hitting his team-high 19th home run and doubling Wednesday, Gonzalez has five more homers and is batting 31 points higher (.304 to .273) than the Rangers' star.

Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 17 games, matching his own club best.

"In San Francisco, the announcers said he's going to win a batting title," Padres hitting coach Merv Rettenmund said. "I don't know about that, but I know he'll be in contention."

Not so hot

Peavy threw a season-high 129 pitches amid the unseasonable heat and humidity. But he wasn't sweating it.

"This is where I'm from," the Semmes, Ala., native said. "I like watching the news ---- all these Californians are panicking. This is every day in the South."

Short hops

The Padres have interest in Chicago Cubs RHP Greg Maddux, but the future Hall of Famer would have to waive his no-trade clause for a deal to be consummated. That's unlikely to be a problem because Maddux makes his offseason home in Las Vegas and has said he would like to play on the West Coast. ... CF Mike Cameron left the game in the eighth inning with a bruised knee suffered on a hard slide into second base. Cameron didn't think he would miss any time. ... Geoff Blum spelled SS Khalil Greene, who got his first day off since July 2 and his fourth of the season. ... Triple-A RHP Dewon Brazelton on Tuesday extended his streak of scoreless innings to 18 1/3, lowering his ERA to 3.04. In the same game, Portland OF Jack Cust drew three walks to give him eight in two games and 100 this season, the most in professional baseball.