More Top Picks Clutch Charger
player ready...Lefty reliever Chuck McElroy, untouchable for much of the season`s first two months, has suddenly become hittable.
Until Tuesday night, he had allowed runs in each of his last four outings-a total of 10 runs, 4 of them earned, in a 5 1/3-inning stretch. On Tuesday McElroy gave up two singles and two walks to the seven men he faced but didn`t yield a run.
Manager Jim Essian voiced his concern after McElroy yielded a two-run home run to Kal Daniels in Monday night`s Cub loss to the Dodgers. The blow turned out to be big when the Cubs cut the Dodger lead to two in the ninth inning.
”I don`t know what it is,” Essian said before Tuesday`s game. ”He seemed to have done pretty well after the home run. As far as his last few outings, not what we`re used to seeing.”
McElroy pitched so well until recently that Essian had toyed with the idea of moving him into Bob Scanlan`s spot in the starting rotation. Those plans appear to be on hold for now. Essian said he was considering viewing videotapes of McElroy`s last few outings to see if he could pick up any clues. Sore Straw: The Dodgers placed outfielder Darryl Strawberry on the 15-day disabled list. He has been bothered by a shoulder inflammation sustained over a month ago.
In good company: Andre Dawson went into Tuesday night`s game with 357 career home runs, tied with the White Sox`s Carlton Fisk for fifth place among active players; the only men with more are California`s Dave Winfield (391), Philadelphia`s Dale Murphy (389), Los Angeles` Eddie Murray (386) and Baltimore`s Dwight Evans (382).
In solo company: Speaking of home runs, Shawon Dunston has seven this year. Each has been a solo shot. With exactly as many homers as walks this season, he`s threatening to pull a repeat of 1990, when he was the only major-leaguer with more home runs than walks.