The Cubs` magic number is three.
Any combination of Cubs wins and Montreal losses adding up to three means the Cubs can`t finish last; they lead the Expos by 3 1/2 games. Who said there`s no excitement in late September?
It wasn`t too long ago that the Cubs had hoped to make a bid for second, but a weak stretch run ruined that dream. They still have an outside shot at third-place money. They trail the New York Mets by 1 1/2 games.
”You have to set goals, and realistic goals,” manager Jim Essian said.
”We thought second was realistic, but now we want to try to finish third. Things aren`t going our way.”
Bell`s season over? George Bell, sidelined all weekend with a sprained ankle, said he hopes to take batting practice Monday in Philadelphia.
”I feel bad,” he said. ”They tied my leg like a horse today. I`ll be OK.”
There`s still a chance Bell could miss the rest of the season. He sprained his right ankle tumbling down the dugout steps Wednesday in Wrigley Field.
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”I don`t think it looks good,” said Essian, who has started Cedric Landrum in Bell`s place.
”I went after the bat rack, and I made a mistake when I went down the stairs,” Bell said.
Bell, who has one hit in his last 12 at-bats, was angry at being called out looking by plate umpire Greg Bonin in the fourth inning.
”I think it was a real bad call,” Bell said.
Keep on chuckin`: Chuck McElroy appeared in his 69th game Sunday, padding his record for appearances by a Cubs rookie.