George Bell was removed from Saturday night`s game with inflammation in his left knee. He left the game after grounding into a double play in the sixth inning.
Earlier Saturday, Bell accepted an invitation to participate in the home run-hitting contest during Monday`s All-Star Game festivities, but he wouldn`t promise a Cub victory for the second straight year. Ryne Sandberg won it in Wrigley Field last July.
”I don`t hit home runs in batting practice,” Bell said. ”I`m no good at that.”
The homer contest pits the three players with the most homers in each league, plus a wild card. Bell has 16 homers.
Brushback flareup: For the second time in less than two weeks, the Cubs came close to squaring off with the opposition over a brushback pitch.
It happened in the fourth inning Saturday night, when Shawon Dunston had heated words with Cardinal catcher Tom Pagnozzi after Bryn Smith threw an inside pitch. Plate umpire Eric Gregg restrained Dunston as the shortstop gestured at Pagnozzi. The benches began to empty, but order was restored before a brawl could erupt.
”Dunston maintained enough self-control to stay in the game,” manager Jim Essian said. ”He was just upset that that pitch was a little too inside. He`s an emotional player.”