Several Padres to join Stars’ roster

Monday, July 12, 1999 | 10:03 a.m.

FRESNO -- After struggling to just eight wins in their last 32 games, including an 8-6 nail-biter over the Fresno Grizzlies here on Sunday night, the Las Vegas Stars are no doubt happy to see the three-day All Star break, which begins today.

They also will be glad to see a few fresh new faces when they resume Pacific Coast League play on Thursday night at Cashman Field against Oklahoma.

Padres shortstop Chris Gomez, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees June 4, will begin an injury rehabilitation assignment with the Stars on Thursday. And reliever Carlos Alamanzar also is expected to rejoin Las Vegas when Tony Gwynn comes off the disabled list on Thursday.

Another current member of the Padres' roster, likely third baseman George Arias or infielder Carlos Baerga, also could be sent down to Las Vegas this week when backup catcher Greg Myers returns from a hamstring injury.

Gomez, who had surgery to clean out both his knees and also to repair a slight tear in the meniscus cartilage of the left knee, could be here as short as one week or as long as the maximum 20 days allowed for injury rehab assignments.

"I have no idea how long really because this is the first time I've ever done this," Gomez told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The seven-hour bus ride back from Fresno after Sunday night's game was made a lot more bearable thanks to the come-from-behind victory over the Southern Division-leading Grizzlies.

Gary Matthews, David Newhan and Carlos Garcia all homered for the Stars (39-50), who also got a key two-run triple from leftfielder Chris Prieto to highlight a five-run seventh inning.

Fresno (48-41), which led 4-0 after four innings, almost overcame an 8-4 deficit in the bottom of the ninth, getting solo home runs from Calvin Murray and Felipe Crespo before falling short.