Shawon Dunston said manager Jim Essian`s decision to platoon him at shortstop with Jose Vizcaino has not pushed him toward free agency.
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”Not necessarily,” said Dunston, benched Sunday for the fourth time in seven days. ”I don`t blame Essian. It`s a business move. They have to see what Jose can do.
”The team is winning, and the atmosphere is good. My teammates are bugging me about being a bench player. As long as we`re winning, everything is fine. If we were losing, it would be different.”
Vizcaino went 0 for 5 while striking out twice and hitting into a double play Sunday, dropping his average to .274.
Playing in pain: Greg Maddux was bothered by a sore hand and a tight groin Sunday, but neither injury appears serious enough to make him miss his next start.
”The hand`s worse,” said Maddux. ”It`s one of those things that`s sore for a day or two. It gets better every day.”
Landrum delivers: Essian gave Cedric Landrum a rare start in center field, and put him in the No. 7 slot in the batting order. Landrum responded with two singles, including his second in as many at-bats against closer John Franco.
Watch on the Ryne: Ryne Sandberg singled twice to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, the longest on the club this year.
Give me a break: Dwight Smith objected to ribbing by teammates that his right elbow flared up just as the Cubs were to face Dwight Gooden, Frank Viola and David Cone. Smith`s injury, diagnosed as tendinitis, has kept him out of the lineup recently. But he also was hitless in his last 10 at-bats.
”I don`t want to hurt the team,” Smith said. ”If I can`t throw, I don`t want to play out there.”