Padre Error Helps Pirates to 5-3 Victory : Baseball: Padres put Barrett on waivers, face question of what to do with Roberts when he returns to roster.

Pardon the Padres for being a bit confused, but after searching for healthy volunteers this season, they departed Three Rivers Stadium after their 5-3 defeat Monday night to the Pittsburgh Pirates wondering what to do with everyone.

The Padres, who have had 38 players on their roster, and placed 10 players on the disabled list, have uncovered several interesting finds during their seven-game trip, leaving a few intriguing dilemmas.

For the time being, though, they wanted to savor their 4-3 record to Chicago and Pittsburgh, two teams that bullied them last season. Although their defeat Monday dropped them four games behind the division-leading Dodgers, the Padres were ecstatic again with the performance of starter Dennis Rasmussen, who allowed six hits and four unearned runs in seven innings. Rasmussen, returning from the disabled list May 25, has not allowed an earned run in his past 26 innings.

Padre third baseman Scott Coolbaugh’s throwing error in the first inning led to four unearned runs, including Barry Bonds’ two-run infield single and Jeff King’s two-run homer. The Padres had a chance to tie the game in the ninth, but Pirate center fielder Andy Van Slyke made a shoestring catch of Tony Gwynn’s line drive, snuffing their last gasp, and ending Gwynn’s 15-game hitting streak.

“It’s no big deal to me,” said Gwynn, who’s still batting .365. “I’ve been playing for 10 years, and my longest one is 25. You’d think that as long as I’ve been playing, and as much as I put the bat on the ball, I’d have more.

“The way I figured it, once you get to 30, then you can get excited.”

But while the Padres packed their bags, tipped the clubhouse attendants, and headed toward their chartered plane, minds already were spinning, trying to figure out their roster dilemma.

They took measures Monday to solve one roster problem they they notified veteran second baseman Marty Barrett he was being placed on waivers. If Barrett clears waivers, he then has the right to become a free agent or accept an assignment to triple-A Las Vegas.

“It came as a pretty big shock, to tell you the truth,” Barrett said Monday night from his Las Vegas home. “Personally, I think I’m on top of my game. There’s not too many times you think this game is easy, but that’s the way it’s been for me.

“Really, I can’t believe it. I thought this was just what the doctor ordered. I can’t imagine what else they could have expected from me. I felt too on top of my game to be in Triple-A.

“I guess I thought something was up because I was playing so good, and nothing worked out.”

Barrett, who was hitting .319, will attempt to contact several teams who might be interested in his services. The Oakland Athletics, who just lost shortstop Walt Weiss, might be interested. He also expects to have conversations with the Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and Houston Astros.

If no major league team is interested in Barrett, who underwent arthroscopic surgery May 11 on his right knee, it’s possible that he might remain with Las Vegas simply because of his affection for Manager Jim Riggleman. He’d also like to one day work the Padre organization as a coach or manager.

“But really, I don’t understand this,” Barrett said.

The primary reason for Barrett’s departure was the play of second baseman Tim Teufel, who was obtained May 31 in a trade with the New York Mets for Garry Templeton. Teufel already has hit two homers for the Padres, and is batting .375 during the past four days. He also can play first base and third base.

The most delicious irony, however, has arisen with the play of center fielder Thomas Howard and the recovery of left fielder Jerald Clark, who started for the first time since May 30, and the eighth time since April 30.

The Padres have put out notice Monday that Clark is their starting left fielder once again. Thomas Howard will be their starting center fielder. And, well, they’re not quite sure what to do with Bip Roberts.

“Man, it’s going to be interesting when we get back, real interesting,” Gwynn said. “Thomas Howard has opened everybody’s eyes. He’s left no question that he belongs in the big leagues, and he deserves to start. But we’ve got to do something with Bip.”

Roberts, the Padres’ leadoff hitter, had been playing center field from May 13 until he experienced back spasms June 2 on the final day of the Padres’ home stand. The Padres decided to leave him at home for therapy, saying they’d try to get by with Howard.

Howard, finally getting the opportunity he long had awaited, hit .367 on the trip, and proved to the Padres that they might have something special on their hands.

“It’s been such a joy to watch,” said Merv Rettenmund, Padre batting coach. “I don’t think there’s any reason why he shouldn’t be a .300 hitter. My God, he wants to succeed so bad, who knows what he can do?”

There was no finer illustration of Howard’s desire than Monday. This was a guy who dislocated his left thumb in Sunday’s game, and the Padres had hoped he wouldn’t be out longer than a week.

After a sleepless night, Howard awoke Monday morning, took a good look the thumb, and saw there was no swelling. He arrived early to the ballpark for treatment, and convinced the Padres that he wanted to at least test the thumb in batting practice.

Howard felt the pain during batting practice, but he didn’t say a word. He told the Padres just put him in the lineup. He would be fine.

“Hey, what’s a little pain,” he said. “I’ve come this far, this long, and I’m not going to stop now. I’ve waited my whole life for this opportunity. The crack is there, and I’m going to throw my body through it.”