The top of the order is clicking for the Cubs.
Leadoff hitter Brian McRae, mired in a 1-for-17 slump as recently as Friday night, had five hits and two walks in his last 11 plate appearances against the Pirates during the weekend.
McRae combined with No. 2 hitter Rey Sanchez to go 8 for 17 with nine runs scored and two batted in during the final two games at Pittsburgh.
“The guys up top are alwaysimportant, but especially on our team when we have Grace and Sosa waiting to bring them in,” said manager Jim Riggleman. “They’re doing a good job.”
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Sanchez, in particular, has been hot since Opening Day. He is hitting .341 with two doubles, a triple and a team-leading four bunt singles.
Cleaning up:The Cubs played error-free ball during the three-game series in Pittsburgh. Going into the series, they had the most errors in the league with 11 in seven games.
Ah one, ah two: Jim Bullinger, Monday night’s scheduled starter against the Cardinals, was the most effective pitcher in the National League after getting two strikes on batters last year. Bullinger allowed just 20 two-strike hits in 166 at-bats, holding opposing batters to a .120 average. The only pitchers in the majors who were better once they got two strikes on hitters were Bill Risley of the Mariners (.118) and Bob Wickman of the Yankees (.119).
Coming home: Broadcaster Harry Caray rejoins the team for the three-game series in St. Louis. Caray is picking which road games he wants to cover in this, his 51st year of broadcasting big-league games. He skipped Pittsburgh and tentatively plans to make St. Louis and Atlanta his only road stops for a while. He has family in both cities.