Greg Maddux became the first Cub pitcher in eight years to get more than one extra-base hit in a game when he doubled in his first two at-bats Thursday.
Dick Ruthven was the last one with two extra-base hits in a game. He had a pair of doubles against the Pirates on April 20, 1984.
”Hitting`s fun,” said Maddux, who raised his batting average to .200 and drove in his fifth run of the year. ”I don`t get paid to hit. I`m not expected to hit. So there`s no pressure. It`s a bonus.”
Boskie`s out: Right-hander Shawn Boskie has been scratched from his next scheduled start on Saturday. Manager Jim Lefebvre has yet to name a replacement but says Boskie will miss at least one start and maybe more with a sore shoulder. Boskie (5-4) has failed to go past the fourth inning of his last three starts. He is experiencing pain in the muscle under his collarbone. Harkey comeback: Lefebvre says right-hander Mike Harkey is on schedule to return to the big leagues. Harkey, who had shoulder surgery 14 months ago, made his first start Wednesday night at Triple-A Iowa. He went five innings, allowing three runs on four hits, four walks and four strikeouts. He also hit three batters. ”He threw 90-something pitches and topped out at 92 m.p.h., but his control was a little off,” said Lefebvre. ”He said he was nervous.” Lefebvre said Harkey would pitch at least once, probably a couple more times at Iowa. If all goes well, he could be back with the Cubs in July. ”Frankly speaking, he`s getting very close,” Lefebvre said.
Hawk grounded: Andre Dawson sat out Thursday`s game to rest his aching knees. He`d played 12 consecutive games, including four on the artificial turf in Philadelphia, and is experiencing some fluid buildup in his knees.
Golden arm: Second baseman Ryne Sandberg is closing in on two years of perfection. The last time he made a throwing error was July 4, 1990. Thursday`s game was his 301st without an errant throw.
Sizzling summer: Mark Grace was 2 for 5 Thursday. He has hit safely in 30 of the last 34 games, batting .380 during that stretch.
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