Mark

Loretta

The Padres’ second baseman was hit on the left elbow by a Josh Beckett fastball in his first at-bat last night. Although he remained in the game through the seventh, Loretta saw his 11-game hitting streak snapped. “He’s pretty banged up,” said Bochy of Loretta, who on Wednesday suffered a cut lip when he was tagged out at the plate on the game’s final play. Combine all of the above, and you get a much needed day off for Loretta, so don’t worry if you own him in fantasy pools.

Loretta has missed four games with the injury. It’d be a shame if he has to miss any of the weekend games in Coors Field.

He’ll try gripping a bat today. Loretta owners should leave him active in hopes that at the very least he will participate in Coors Field this weekend.

Loretta slipped on a wet spot after collecting his second hit of the game.

Loretta is more ideally suited to hit second, but he’s off to a great start in June, hitting .419 with a .500 on-base percentage and .645 slugging. The Padres are taking advantage of his hot streak, as should you.

Since Loretta came to San Diego at the start of last season, he’s hitting .330/.380/.464, and averaging 1.287 hits per game played. In his Padres career, Gwynn hit .338/.388/.459 while averaging 1.289 hits per game. Loretta has an excellent chance to win the Triple Crown for NL second basemen. He has a big lead in average, is tied with Jeff Kent and Todd Walker with 13 homers, and trails Kent by just three RBI.

In Klesko and Phil Nevin, the Padres have two too many general managers. Loretta’s having a nice year and signing him to a one-year extension wouldn’t be a bad idea. However, there’s little to be gained from signing him beyond 2004. It’s still possible the Padres will trade him this month.

The Padres are expected to lock up Loretta through 2004 and possibly 2005. Having a reliable if unspectacular second baseman locked up for a reasonable sum would allow the Padres to pursue free agents at other positions, while also keeping the spot warm until 21-year-old Josh Barfield is ready.

The average annual value of Loretta’s new deal is to be between $2.5 million and $3 million, with ''an interesting way of looking at the third year.’' He currently leads the Padres in runs, hits, doubles, triples, total bases, batting average and on-base percentage.

Though GM Kevin Towers declined specific comment, he has pulled Loretta off the trade market and plotted for him either a one-year extension with a club option, or, if the numbers are right, a two-year guarantee.