NATIONAL LEAGUE: INSIDE THE N.L.: MADDUX WITHIN REACH OF RECORD.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

Just a few weeks ago, the idea of Atlanta pitcher Greg Maddux winning 15 games for a major-league-record 16 consecutive seasons was laughable, but now it seems Maddux might get the last laugh.

Maddux never got his ERA below 4.63 during the first three months of the season, and followers questioned how much he had left at age 37, but he has improved his record to 11-9 and probably has seven or eight starts remaining this season.

``No one was used to seeing me get my (butt) kicked,'' Maddux said.

He had a 6-8 record through June but has turned things around in part by being bolder with his fastball, instead of nibbling at the plate and focusing on locating pitches. Maddux also experimented with various parts of his delivery, even changing where he held his hands before throwing.

``There's no magic formula to follow to have success in this game,'' he said. ``You can't be afraid to try something different.

``I'm looking like everybody else. Sometimes you're searching a little longer than other times. You're always trying to pick up where you left off five days ago. I do know this: I know I'm very satisfied with the effort I'm putting into the game. And if I'm pitching in the World Series in October, then it's been a great year.''

--More Maddux: The San Diego Padres battered Maddux for three runs in the first inning Tuesday, but the potential Hall of Famer, who is expected to be cut by the Braves at the end of the season, reportedly has told the Padres he would be interested in signing with them.

``We tried to get Maddux's numbers up so we don't have to pay him as much next year,'' said Phil Nevin, who had three hits off Maddux. ``We want him in San Diego.''

--Power meeting: Former president Bill Clinton attended Tuesday's game between the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants because he wanted to check up on his friend Barry Bonds. The men chatted in the Giants' clubhouse before the game.

``It's not the first time I've met him,'' Bonds said. ``We've just been able to have a great relationship while he was president and now that he's not president. We talked about him and his family. We just have a lot of respect for each other.''

Clinton attended the game with his nieces and nephews and came away impressed with Bonds.

``He's a very special talent and deserves a lot of credit,'' Clinton said. ``It's not just his extraordinary physical ability; it's also in here (heart) and up in here (head). He's from good stock, too. His daddy (Bobby) is a wonderful man, and I know Willie Mays will be quite proud when that record (660 home runs) falls.''

--Welcome back: The Padres' playoff hopes have long since been dashed, but the team should get a late-season spark next month when closer Trevor Hoffman, believed to be lost for the entire season, is expected to return following two shoulder surgeries.

Hoffman took a major step forward Tuesday when he faced San Diego hitters during batting practice and reported no problems after his 30-pitch ``outing.''

``He was amazing,'' Padres catcher Miguel Ojeda said. ``His changeup looked like it wasn't going to get there. All I can say is he is a great pitcher.''

If all goes as planned, Hoffman will begin a Double-A rehabilitation assignment this month and rejoin the Padres on Sept. 1.

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com

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