The Cubs are hitting so well that they cut a player with a .379 batting average Sunday.
The victim was Derrick May, whose large potential and superb spring training couldn`t overcome the reality of a crowded outfield. Chicago product Erik Pappas and Jim Bullinger also were shipped out to Triple-A Iowa.
”It`s hard sending down a guy who is hitting .380, but I don`t want a Derrick May, 22, sitting on the bench and only pinch-hitting twice a month,” manager Don Zimmer said.
May has hit for average since the Cubs picked him in the first round of the 1986 draft. In five minor-league seasons, his lowest batting average has been .295 at Double-A Charlotte in 1989. Twice he hit higher than .300.
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The Cubs think that`s fine. But they look at his 6-foot-4-inch, 204-pound frame and see a home run hitter. They`d be willing to give up a few points of average for a few more long balls. May has never reached double figures in homers.
”I`m encouraged about him,” General Manager Jim Frey said. ”I`ve always thought he was a straightaway hitter, but now he`s starting to drive the ball more. We`re talking about a big man here. If he could just click one . . .”
Pappas, who graduated from Mt. Carmel High School, was hitting .294 at the time of his demotion.
”I hope I made an impression,” said Pappas, who definitely did. ”I`m hoping I`ll be the one they call when they need someone.”
The cuts leave the club with 31 players and 25 roster spots.
Harkey heartened: Mike Harkey allowed no earned runs in five innings of a B game Sunday morning at HoHoKam Park. It was his third, and longest, outing of a spring in which he`s been bothered by shoulder problems.
”In between starts, I`ve had a little tightness, but it`s been nothing serious,” Harkey said. ”I know I`m on schedule to be ready (when the season starts).”
Greg Maddux didn`t fare as well in the real game, an 8-3 loss to San Francisco. He allowed five earned runs and eight hits in five innings to drop to 1-1 on the spring. His earned-run average rose to 4.70.
On the bright side, Shawon Dunston belted his first home run in camp, while Gary Scott went 1 for 2 and watched his batting average drop to .512 (21 for 41).
– Sutcliffe on tap: Rick Sutcliffe`s next outing will come Tuesday against the California Angels in Palm Springs, Calif.