Herndon sparkles in win over Tucson

Steve Addy

Friday, May 5, 2000 | 10:10 a.m.

The pitching-needy San Diego Padres can use all the strong arms they can find, but for now they have no plans to take Junior Herndon from the Stars.

That's probably best for Herndon's development, and it's certainly good for the Stars.

But manager Duane Espy wonders how long he'll be able to hold onto the 21-year-old right-hander, who is challenging to become the ace of the Las Vegas staff.

Though the Stars are scoring enough runs to make it easy on all of their pitchers, Herndon gave them another terrific six-inning performance Thursday night, blanking the Tucson Sidewinders on four hits in Las Vegas' 9-4 victory before an announced 2,383 at Cashman Field.

It was the Stars' 11th win in their last 13 games, and three of the victories belong to Herndon (4-1). He went six innings in all three games, permitting only one run. Though Herndon's ERA (3.14) isn't in the neighborhood of Stars ace Stan Spencer (1.86, 4-0), he has been tougher to hit. Opponents are batting .199 against Herndon, .227 against Spencer.

Thursday's performance caught the eye of San Diego manager Bruce Bochy and GM Kevin Towers, who attended on the Padres' off-day. They were impressed that Herndon did not let the game get away in the third inning, when he walked the pitcher with one out, but escaped a bases-loaded jam.

"In tough situations, he's looking more and more polished," Bochy said. "He competes, and he knows what he's doing out there. He's not afraid to work inside. He's aggressive. He's going to be in the big leagues someday, no question."

But Towers said that day isn't likely to be soon, though the Padres are trying to get by with a patchwork staff. They've had to call up Rodrigo Lopez from the Stars already, and other recalls are looming.

"The guys we would look at bringing up as starters are Spencer and (Buddy) Carlyle, because of their experience," Towers said. "Herndon is 21 and we all know he's got tremendous stuff. But we don't need to rush him. He has a future. He's got three quality pitches and tremendous poise on the mound. He got into a jam tonight and worked out of it."

Espy isn't so sure he'll have Herndon all season.

"If he proves during the season that he can throw that way every night, it wouldn't be rushing him to send him to San Diego," Espy said. "If a guy is ready, he's ready."

Herndon, whose first name is Harry, said, "Ever since I signed (in 1997), they have taken good care of me. I feel like they'll do what's right for me and my career. We'll go step by step."

* ROSTER MOVES: San Diego sent second baseman David Newhan and left-hander Buddy Carlyle back to the Stars, while the Padres took back first baseman John Roskos and center fielder Ruben Rivera.

* CUNNANE DELAYED: Right-hander Will Cunnane was supposed to start Thursday, but Espy pushed him back to tonight. Cunnane was sent down to the Stars this week, as the Padres are trying to turn the reliever into a full-time starter.

* GAME RECAP: The Stars (16-8) put on another show at the plate, rapping out 16 hits, topped by Joe Vitiello's four and Mike Darr's three.

* UP NEXT: The teams wrap up their series tonight at 7:05 at Cashman Field. Cunnane (0-0, 0.00) faces John Patterson (0-1. 6.10).