Most people would say the Cubs` bullpen has had a lousy year. But take a close look at the most-used arm in the oft-maligned relief corps.
It belongs to Paul Assenmacher, who has been part of some of the bullpen`s toughest games, but has managed to put together perhaps his best year in six big-league seasons.
”I`ve been up and down,” he said. ”7-4 with 12 saves, a career high. But the down part is that I have eight blown saves.”
In Assenmacher`s defense, saves weren`t part of his duties when the Cubs picked him up as late-season insurance in 1989. Dave Smith`s knee injury, like a similar injury to Mitch Williams a year ago, put Assenmacher in the closer role.
Assenmacher is on a pace to appear in 77 games, three more than last year`s career high.
It`s not clear whether more rest would have made Assenmacher more effective. He has had his problems-the blown saves are the most on the club-but he has also been reliable. He has fanned a career-high 101 men in 85 innings. He`s the first Cub reliever to fan at least 100 since Lee Smith fanned 112 in 1985. Among NL relievers, he trails only Cincinnati`s Rob Dibble.
”I just want to finish up strong, finish up on a positive note,” he said. ”I`m just curious to see how good our bullpen will be with Smitty healthy.”
Back in action: Chuck McElroy returned to the bullpen Wednesday night in San Diego, allowing an unearned run in a third of an inning. McElroy said his sore left bicep didn`t bother him.
”I just needed a day off,” he said. ”It feels fine.”
They blew it: Ex-Cub factor, Minor League Dept.: In a collapse worthy of the 1969 Cubs, the Triple-A Iowa Cubs blew a 4 1/2-game lead with 10 left to finish second in the American Association`s Western Division. Iowa had 11 ex- Cubs on its roster at the time.
And, finally: The Cubs will begin their final series with a Western Division opponent Friday, and that alone is cause for celebration. The Cubs are 29-39 against the West, including a weak 10-23 against the coast clubs. They`re 37-27 against the East.
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