Matthews snaps slump with HR in Stars defeat

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, July 29, 1999 | 10:27 a.m.

One swing at a time.

That's the philosophy these days for Las Vegas Stars' center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. as he tries to fight his way out of one of the most frustrating slumps on his baseball career.

"Right now I've just got to be satisfied with just taking good swings at the plate and not worry about the results," Matthews said after ending a dreadful 3-for-46 slump (.065) with two hits, including his sixth home run of the season, in the Stars' 7-6 loss to the New Orleans Zephyrs on Wednesday night at Cashman Field. "I've just got to go pitch-by-pitch, swing-by-swing."

Matthews, rated the 73rd-best prospect in baseball by Baseball America prior to the season and one of the bright spots in San Diego's spring training camp, entered Wednesday night's contest batting just .228 and with only 36 RBIs in 85 games.

The good news? Matthews should go over the 300 at-bat plateau tonight against the Zephyrs, something he hasn't accomplished in three years due to injuries.

"There's definitely been more downs than ups this year," Matthews said. "That's the way it goes sometimes. This has been mentally my toughest year of my career so far. To come into this year with such high expectations ... it's been frustrating."

"Even the best prospects can have an off-year," Las Vegas manager Mike Ramsey said. "In Gary's case, he just needs to build on this and start putting up some of the numbers we know he's capable of producing."

* LEYRITZ, GOMEZ ARRIVE: Padres C/1B Jim Leyritz and shortstop Chris Gomez both began two-day injury rehab assignments with the Stars on Wednesday.

Leyritz, who broke his left hand when hit by a Chan Ho Park pitch on June 23, played on Tuesday night for single-A Rancho Cucamonga where he went 0-for-4 before deciding to move on to Las Vegas.

"I got jammed on one at-bat which was my first test," Leyritz said. "My hand felt fine. Now I'll play in the field the next couple of days."

The versatile Leyritz, who can play first base and third base as well as catch, has been the object of several trade rumors as Saturday's major league trade deadline approaches. One of those potential deals had him headed to Toronto to be a DH, but the Blue Jays instead obtained David Segui on Wednesday from the Seattle Mariners.

'The bottom line is I'd like to stay in San Diego," Leyritz said. "It's a great place to live and the team can win. If they don't trade me, I'd like to get a one-year contract extension and just focus on helping this team win."

Gomez, who underwent double knee surgery in early June, said he was told he will rejoin the Padres on Friday. He was supposed to rejoin the Padres a week ago following a rehab assignment with the Stars but suffered a setback when he strained a calf muscle.

* KOLB GOES ON DL: Hard-throwing reliever Brandon Kolb, who has compiled a 2-1 record and 4.53 ERA to go along with four saves this season, was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a strained elbow. Kolb suffered the injury during the Stars' last road trip.

"There's no ligament damage," Stars manager Mike Ramsey said. "Hopefully he'll be out only seven days."

* GAME RECAP: Despite starting six players who have seen time in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres this season, the Stars (45-58) lost their second straight game to the worst team in triple-A baseball, the New Orleans Zephyrs, 7-6, on Wednesday night at Cashman Field.

Ryan Miller's sacrifice fly in the eighth inning drove in first baseman James Betzsold, who had doubled and drove in a run earlier in the inning, with what proved to be the game-winning run for the Zephyrs (41-62).

* UP NEXT: Game 3 of the series with New Orleans is tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Cashman Field. Right-hander Bryan Wolff (5-10, 5.49 ERA) will start for Las Vegas against Zephyrs' right-hander Ryan Creek (1-2, 4.56).