The Cubs filled Shawon Dunston`s spot on the roster by purchasing the contract of Dwight Smith from Triple-A Iowa.
Smith, runner-up for Rookie of the Year in 1989, went down to Iowa last week and was 2 for 8 there with two walks and a double. He was hitting .216 in 16 games with the Cubs when he went down.
”I told him he wouldn`t be down there long,” said manager Jim Lefebvre. ”But to tell you the truth, I thought he might be there a day or two longer.”
”I felt like a rookie when I walked in,” said Smith. ”I love these guys. I love this team. I love this city. Maybe I`ll be the spark that helps turn us around and starts us on a six- or seven-game win streak.”
Locked away: Cubs trainer John Fierro said he would keep rookie shortstop Rey Sanchez, on the disabled list with chicken pox, quarantined for several days. ”He`s locked in a room and I`ve got the key,” Fierro said.
Sanchez was exposed 20 days ago in Iowa, where catcher George Pedre came down with the illness. That means the players and family members of the big-league club and the Triple-A team have been exposed.
”It`s a moot point now,” said Fierro. ”But we`re taking an inventory to see who`s had the disease before and who hasn`t. We`ll monitor everyone closely.”
Home run derby: Smith didn`t play, but he was in the dugout when the Cubs erupted for three home runs in a game for the first time this year. Ryne Sandberg homered twice in a game for the 19th time in his career. Luis Salazar also connected.
Cold streak: The game-time temperature Wednesday was 48 degrees with a 15 m.p.h. wind blowing in off the lake-the eighth consecutive game at Wrigley that the temperature was below 50.