Not too long ago in San Diego, TV cameras caught the Dodgers’ Chris Gwynn covering his eyes in the dugout while the Padres’ Tony Gwynn was batting. . . .

“That was a very important part of the game,” Chris said. “I hated to see a guy like Tony at the plate against us with so much on the line. But I have the same kind of reaction when Barry Bonds or Matt Williams comes up and there’s destruction to be done.” . . .

The difference is that Chris Gwynn is unrelated to Bonds or Williams and is the younger brother of Tony Gwynn. . . .

The Los Angeles-born, Long Beach-raised, San Diego State-educated Gwynns have the highest career batting average of any brother combination in major league history. . . .

Before Tuesday night’s game at Dodger Stadium, their average was .326--.333 for Tony and .275 for Chris. Tony, 34, has had more than seven times as many at-bats as Chris, 29. . . .

Tony was a third-round draft choice of the Padres in 1981. After Tony won the National League batting championship in 1984, the Dodgers selected Chris in the first round in 1985. . . .

“Tony was born to hit,” Chris said. “Combine that with his great work ethic and you’ve got a .333 career hitter.” . . .

Chris hit .300 for the first time last year at Kansas City, but had only 287 at-bats and was released before starting his second tour of duty as a Dodger reserve outfielder and pinch-hitter. . . .

“I’m not disappointed about my career,” Chris said. “I don’t care who your brother is. It won’t help you when you’re in the batter’s box.” . . .

The Padres began the series with the worst record in the majors, but had a higher team batting average and a lower earned-run-average than the first-place Dodgers. . . .

Tony Gwynn’s 11-year-old son, Anthony II, has been serving as Padre batboy at Dodger Stadium. . . .