Stars get big-league boost

As a longtime major league utility player, Archi Cianfrocco has grown accustomed to getting less than his "fair share" of plate appearances over the years.

When he glanced at his numbers last week and saw his total at-bats were still in double digits in late July, though, Cianfrocco knew his days with the Padres likely were numbered.

Sure enough, last Friday the player who trails only Tony Gwynn in active Padres duty was sent outright to Las Vegas, where he spent time earlier this season rehabing a strained stomach muscle.

Rather than sulk about his return to the minors, the 31-year-old is determined to use his time here to earn a return to the big leagues and a spot on San Diego's playoff roster.

"I feel like a brick has been lifted off my head," he said. "It's hard to sit there and watch. Some days you feel great, and you just have to sit there."

A versatile player who has played in the outfield, on the corners and up the middle during his six years in San Diego, Cianfrocco simply couldn't get into the lineup for a Padres ballclub that has dominated the National League West in 1998.

"Usually, we have a lot of injuries, and I have 250 at-bats by this point," Cianfrocco said. "This year, we haven't had any injuries, and (infielders) Andy Sheets and Ed Giovanola have been doing a lot of the work I used to do."

Now, Cianfrocco will get a chance to prove what he can do on a daily basis. And in his first start since arriving in town, he took full advantage of the opportunity, going 3-for-4 Tuesday night.

"I need to play," he said. "Every at-bat still feels like it's the first at-bat of the season."

"He understands what's going on," Stars manager Jerry Royster said. "We want to get him back in (the Padres') plans."

Cianfrocco knows he's also playing for his future. If he finishes the season in the minors, he'll become a free agent this summer. Yet he's confident that one way or another, he'll be back in San Diego before long.

"Chances are I'll be called up," he said. "If for nothing else than they're paying my contract out either way."

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