Padre Notebook : Andujar Tames Hitters, Reporters

Boy, Joaquin Andujar is one nice Dominican.

After he pitched three perfect innings Wednesday in his first appearance with the Oakland A’s, he held a mini-press conference to clear the air.

“See, I am no bad guy like you people write about me,” he told reporters. “I just take no (stuff) from anybody. Just write the truth. Be honest. I no bad guy.”

His stuff on the mound wasn’t bad either. He threw only fastballs and retired nine straight hitters. The A’s went on to defeat the Padres, 8-2.

Does he miss St. Louis yet?

“I miss three things,” he said.

--The St. Louis fans.

--His former manager, Whitey Herzog.

--Being a batter. In the American League, pitchers don’t hit.

Padre Manager Steve Boros, who was fired by the A’s in 1984 for essentially being too nice, also held a mini-press conference. Since he was facing his former team Wednesday, Oakland writers and broadcasters cornered him for interviews.

The most asked question: “Will you get after umpires now?”

His most common answer: “Yes.”

Bip Roberts walked, singled and stole a base Wednesday, and Boros keeps chirping about his ability. So it looks as if Roberts is on course to win the second baseman’s job.

Still, Roberts is uncertain. If the Padres don’t want to keep him on their roster this year, he’ll have to go back to his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“And if I have to go back to Pittsburgh, I’m retiring,” Roberts said Wednesday. “I’m serious. I’ll quit.”

Pitcher Eric Show started for San Diego on Wednesday, and his first pitch of the game, to infielder Tony Phillips, was hit for a home run deep to right field.

Deja vu? In Show’s previous start this spring against the Angels, Reggie Jackson hit Show’s second pitch of the game for a homer.

In both cases, Show hung fastballs. Boros said Wednesday that he and pitching coach Galen Cisco will talk to Show about not using his fastball so much.

“Eric’s not as confident in his sinker as he should be,” Boros said. “We think he can win using his sinker, but he likes his fastball.”

Good humor: During Wednesday’s game, the fans were asked to welcome Bobby Brown to Phoenix.

That’s Bobby Brown, the American League president.

But Padre center fielder Bobby Brown, who overheard the announcement, waved to the crowd anyway.

There were more jeers than cheers.