Nixon’s Absence Felt in 8-5 Loss to Giants : Braves: Major leagues’ leading base stealer is suspended for 60 days after failing drug test.

SAN FRANCISCO —  The Atlanta Braves began a seven-game trip Monday without Otis Nixon, their catalytic leadoff hitter and major league stolen base leader.

“We still have all the components it takes to win a championship,” outfielder David Justice said with a bravado that characterized the Braves’ reaction to the stunning loss of Nixon, who was suspended for 60 days Monday by Commissioner Fay Vincent for violating his 1987 after-care program for cocaine abuse.

And his absence was costly in an 8-5 loss to the San Francisco Giants that prevented Atlanta from possibly enlarging its 1 1/2-game lead over the Dodgers in the National League West.

Facing a lineup devoid of the injured Will Clark, Kevin Mitchell and Robby Thompson, Atlanta pitchers Kent Mercker and Jim Clancy were unable to hold a 4-1 lead, and Lonnie Smith, replacing Nixon in left field, fell down as he circled under a fly ball that dropped untouched and scored two key runs.

The Braves may still have the components, but Giant batting instructor Dusty Baker reflected on the loss of Nixon and said:

“It impacts their offense in low-scoring games and it impacts the defense because he is as good an outfielder as there is in league.

“The same thing happened to us last year. We were in contention and then lost Rick Leach for 60 days. It hurt morale-wise, and Leach wasn’t the player Nixon is.”

Vincent announced that Nixon, who is required to have random drug tests as a condition of his after-care program, tested positive in results obtained on Monday, the results confirming cocaine use, a source said.

The 60-day suspension is the same as the one given Leach last year and Leon Durham of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1989.

It cannot be appealed by the Braves, but the Major League Players Assn. can file a grievance that could result in a stay of the suspension.

George Nicolau, the baseball arbitrator, would have to order that stay, but Nicolau is on a Mediterranean vacation and not expected to return for two weeks.

Michael Weiner, an assistant counsel to the players union, said he talked with Nixon and his agent, Joe Sroba, on Monday and that they would decide today if a grievance is appropriate.

It would apparently challenge the accuracy of the testing procedure, said a source requesting anonymity.

Nixon also tested positive in July, but because of nearly four years of negative tests, the commissioner agreed to a re-test, resulting in the latest positive result.

Vincent’s office declined to discuss the process, but deputy commissioner Steve Greenberg said the results were “somewhat surprising in light of the length of time Otis seemed to be recovering, so to speak. This whole matter speaks to the insidious nature of the drug.”

Nixon, optioned by the Cleveland Indians to their Buffalo farm club on May 19, 1987, was arrested in that city the following July 30 for possession of cocaine, ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of obstructing justice and was fined $500.

He subsequently entered a chemical abuse program and was signed as a free agent by the Montreal Expos, with whom he spent three seasons as a pinch-runner and part-time outfielder before being traded to the Braves on April 1 of this year.

He recently missed a game for what the Braves called “family reasons,” but Manager Bobby Cox said Monday that he was unaware “there was a problem.”

“It’s a tremendous shock to me,” he said. “My concern is for Otis.”

Nixon, 32, was enjoying his best season while negotiating a multiyear contract that would have provided a security he might have never thought possible.

Nixon, who returned to Atlanta and was unavailable for comment, was batting .297 with 72 stolen bases and 81 runs. Smith went to work Monday with a .280 average, 43 runs and six stolen bases.