Manager Tom Trebelhorn thought a critical moment in Tuesday’s 10-inning loss to Florida came in the eighth, when the Cubs could not add to their 2-1 lead after Sammy Sosa led off with a double. Derrick May lined to right and Glenallen Hill struck out into a double play as Sosa was out trying to steal third.
“We thought we’d let our cleanup hitter (May) take a whack at it, and he hit the ball hard,” said Trebelhorn. “Sammy was running, hoping to open up a hole for a hit to get the run.”
Dry spell: When the Marlins scored the winning run in the 10th inning of their 3-2 victory, it marked the first time in 75 innings that Florida had led.
Replacement? Mike Morgan, who missed Monday’s pitching turn due to lower back spasms, could be placed on the disabled list Thursday when Steve Trachsel comes off the DL.
No decision: General Manager Larry Himes said he had not decided whether to exercise options and send one or more young players to the minors before the Aug. 12 strike date so the pitchers can work regularly through the work stoppage.
Return of Grace: Mark Grace returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing four games and losing 10 pounds due to tonsilitis. He went hitless in five at-bats and made the game’s final out. His batting average fell from .300 to .296.
Farm report: Triple-A Iowa (53-58) lost 3-1 to Omaha. Brooks Kieschnick, the Cubs’ No. 1 draft pick in 1993, had three RBIs as Double-A Orlando (43-65) beat Jacksonville 10-4. Class A Daytona (50-52) split a double-header with Dunedin, winning 8-0 and losing 7-0.