Gary Varsho never hit like this with the Cubs, did he?
The outfielder, dealt to Pittsburgh in March, has smacked his ex-teammates for eight hits and nine runs batted in over 20 at-bats this year.
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And another ex-Cub, Lloyd McClendon, has mauled them for nine hits and seven RBIs in 17 at-bats.
Varsho hit two homers Tuesday. McClendon has three against the Cubs, including a solo shot on Wednesday.
Maybe it`s no coincidence that they`ve thrived in Wrigley Field.
”It`s my home away from home,” Varsho said. ”I look forward to seeing everybody here.
But I have no ill feelings toward the Cubs.”
An eye-opener: After toiling in the minor leagues for eight seasons, Laddie Renfroe received a rather rude welcome to the major leagues on Wednesday afternoon. He gave up a crushing three-run homer to Orlando Merced, the second man he faced.
The homer, which landed 10 rows deep in straightaway center field, came on a 3-2 pitch after Merced had fouled off several deliveries.
Trade talk: Manager Jim Essian was asked to comment on catcher Damon Berryhill`s request for a trade. ”Damon is a quality catcher who is healthy now. I`d sure like to get him into some games and help him get sharp.”
The stopper?: Leftovers on outfielder/reliever Doug Dascenzo, who leads the club with a 0.00 earned-run average after Tuesday`s outing, his third of the year: Dascenzo has pitched four times in the majors for a total of five innings, allowing no runs, three hits and two walks while fanning two.
He`s the first position player to pitch three times in a season since infielder Jim Morrison did it for Atlanta in 1988.
Down on the farm: Rick Sutcliffe expects to start for the Class A Peoria affiliate Wednesday in Kenosha, and then he`ll probably go to Triple-A Iowa for a start or two. The Cubs will make a decision after Sutcliffe pitches a simulated game on Friday in Busch Stadium.