The Dodgers were mighty happy to see the Cubs come to town.
That`s because the Cubs have a pretty impressive record of futility against the Dodgers.
The Cubs are the only team in the National League this season with a losing record against the Dodgers, who have been a fixture in last place of the Western Division.
Coming into Friday night`s game, the Cubs were 1-5 against the Dodgers this year, including five consecutive losses.
The Cubs are the only team against whom the Dodgers have swept a series this season, a three-gamer May 29-31 at Wrigley Field. And they are the last team to be swept in Dodger Stadium, which happened Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 1991.
– Ryne Sandberg was back in the lineup Friday night after missing Thursday`s game in San Francisco with a stiff lower back. It was only the third game Sandberg has sat out all year. He missed two in Atlanta at the end of April when he was spiked in the knee.
– Rookie Jim Bullinger, Saturday`s scheduled starter, celebrated his 29th birthday Friday night.
– Greg Maddux became the first Cubs pitcher to reach double digits in hits this season when he grounded a single up the middle in the top of the second inning Friday night against the Dodgers. That was his 10th hit of the season- nine singles and a home run. His nearest rival in number of hits is Mike Morgan, who has five. The real slugger of the staff is Chuck McElroy, with four hits, including two doubles and a triple, in just six at-bats. That`s a .667 average.
– The 35th annual ”Hollywood Stars Night” is scheduled at Dodger Stadium before Saturday night`s game with the Cubs. Celebrities from film and television play in the yearly happening. Among those scheduled to play this year are: Tom Selleck, Cathy Lee Crosby, Corbin Bernsen, Tori Spelling and Jaclyn Smith.
– Sandberg stole a base on the front end of a double steal in the top of the first inning. That gave him 14 stolen bases this season. He also has 15 home runs. One more stolen base and Sandberg will reach 15 stolen bases and 15 homers in a season for the sixth consecutive year and the eighth time in nine seasons.