The Cubs, who open a three-game series with the Montreal Expos Tuesday, kept six hitters ”after school” to take batting practice on Monday`s off-day.
Six Cubs hitters were scheduled to stay ”after school” Monday to take extra batting practice at Wrigley Field on an off day.
The Cubs open a three-game series with the Montreal Expos Tuesday. The Expos have pulled to within six games of the National League East-leading St. Louis Cardinals.
The Los Angeles Dodgers` Pedro Guerrero was cleared of charges that he used a loaded bat during Saturday`s game against the Cubs. Umpire Bruce Froemming said Monday that he and his collegues sawed off the ends of two of Guerrero`s bats, including the one that catcher Jody Davis had fingered as suspicious, and found it okay.
But what about Dodgers left-hander Matt Young? Does he throw a spitter? When Young struck out Andre Dawson in the ninth inning Sunday, Dawson thought the pitch had a peculiar dip to it. As he walked toward the dugout, Dawson commented on the strange pitch to plate umpire Tom Hallion.
In the Dodgers` locker room after the game, Los Angeles starter Fernando Valenzuela walked over to Young`s locker, smiling. He removed his cap and wiped excessive sweat from the top of his forehead. He held the palm of his hand out and said to Young: `That`s the way to do it. Just like I showed you.` ”
Dawson was asked if he had given any thought to what the second-place Expos could have done if he had remained with them and not become a free agent.
”I really haven`t given any thought to what the fans or management would be thinking. When you play there so long and do so many different things to contribute . . . then to have problems with management later in your career . . . you leave–not so much with a bitter taste in your mouth, but not on the best of terms.
”I just look at it as a time in my career where it was time for me to make a change. I don`t regret it. If I had to do it again, I would do it.”
Dawson, who has hit more than 100 points higher during the day than at night throughout his career, is continuing that trend this season. He`s hitting .317 (76 for 240) during the day with 20 homers and 62 RBIs. At night, he`s hitting .248 (33 for 133) with 7 homers and 22 RBIs.
Manager Gene Michael thinks starter Jamie Moyer (9-7) is pitching-wise beyond his years of major-league experience. ”Moyer is a good thinker. He`s going to be a good pitcher for a long time,” said Michael. ”He works at it. He`s very coachable, too.”
Moyer started Sunday`s game against the Dodgers but was not stuck with the loss.
