In a crazy Cubs season in which the ivy ate a ball to rob the White Sox and Kerry Wood closed a cut on his finger with Superglue, Jose Hernandez as leadoff man makes perfect sense.
A lifetime .242 hitter entering 1998, Hernandez justified manager Jim Riggleman’s faith in him Thursday when he delivered the game-winning hit in the Cubs’ 3-2 victory over Arizona at Wrigley Field.
Hernandez’s two-out, two-run single off Jeff Suppan in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie, leading the Cubs to back-to-back victories for the first time since June 7-8.
“I have more chances to play now,” Hernandez said. “Finally, today, I was the hero.”
Steve Trachsel (7-5) won for the first time since May 30, breaking a personal four-game losing streak and allowing only one run while striking out nine. Rod Beck gave up a homer to Devon White in the ninth, but held on for his 20th save.
Because of the use of the designated hitter in interleague play, Hernandez could become the first Cub to start in all nine positions in the batting order in one season. He already has batted first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth, and no doubt Sammy Sosa and Mark Grace would sacrifice a day in the Nos. 3 and 4 holes for Hernandez to go down in Cubs history.
Hernandez is 5-for-14 in his three games as leadoff man and is hitting .354 over his last 27 games. He played center Thursday, but also has seen action in left and right fields, shortstop, first base and his best position, third base.
If Riggleman wanted to make Hernandez an instant Cubs legend, he could use him at both positions in a blowout and have him become the first to play all nine positions and hit in all nine spots.
