Cubs` catcher Jody Davis said Wednesday he hopes to be back in action this weekend. Davis visited his teammates before the 7-3 victory over the Mets, then returned to the hospital for further tests.
Doctors have decided to remove a polyp from his backside Thursday. Davis is expected to be discharged from the hospital Thursday evening and fly to Pittsburgh Friday. ”I hope to be a back-up catcher this weekend and maybe start next week,” said Davis.
— Gary Matthews thought there was a message in reliever Roger McDowell`s brushback pitch in the seventh inning Wednesday.
The Sarge had come to the plate immediately after Ryne Sandberg blasted a two-run homer to give the Cubs a 6-3 lead over the Mets. After the high and inside fastball, Matthews dropped his bat in disgust and took a couple of steps toward the mound. Players from both teams headed toward the mound in a short-lived staring contest.
”I think it`s one of those things where a veteran ballplayer never forgets the possibility of a brushback pitch after a home run like that. I can`t read McDowell`s mind. I just know the ball was close to Sarge following a home run,” said Cub manager Jim Frey.
Mets` manager Davey Johnson, naturally, defended his man.
”I didn`t see that it was that close to him to warrant that kind of reaction,” said Johnson. ”Roger was struggling, and he couldn`t get it over. I know last year Moreland got hit in the leg (to start a bench-clearing brawl), but I didn`t think it should have caused that kind of trouble. I know what Matthews was trying to do. It was a little late. It was kind of stupid.” — Brian Dayett, on the 21-day disabled list, underwent successful surgery to remove bone chips and spurs from his right ankle Wednesday.
— Leon Durham has hit safely in 15 of his last 18 games (25 for 66, .379), including Wednesday`s 2-for-4 effort. ”My stroke is right there now,” said Bull. ”Both against lefties and righties. . . . Ryne Sandberg extended his hitting streak to eight games. . . . Lee Smith earned his 16th save Wednesday. He has had 18 save opportunities. . . . The Cubs` pitching staff has allowed the fewest amount of walks in the league–178.
— The probables for the Pittsburgh series: Friday, Dennis Eckersley
(7-5) vs. Jose DeLeon (2-9); Saturday, Steve Trout (6-3) vs. Jim Winn
(2-3); and Sunday, Scott Sanderson (3-3) vs. Rick Rhoden (5-7).
