SOSA WON’T LOSE DRIVE TO SUCCEED, COACH SAYS

Whether Sammy Sosa stays or goes, Cubs hitting coach Jeff Pentland believes that one thing will remain a constant–his drive to succeed.

“His experience of being in the upper echelon was key,” Pentland said. “When he realized he was capable of doing these things, he raised his game to a different level.

“I’ve always felt that good athletes really undersell themselves and tend to be comfortable with just getting the job done. But when they find out they can play at a much higher level, they become a little testy and emotional. They want to stay up on top and don’t want to be just another player. It’s an internal drive.”

Pentland has been going through his normal pregame routine with Sosa, which includes flipping him balls to practice the fundamentals of his swing.

Sosa’s home run in Thursday night’s game was his first since June 18. But he’s batting .312–45 points higher than his career average.

“I never worry about home runs,” Pentland said, “but I think the public does and I think Sammy does. I don’t know anybody with home run power who doesn’t like to hit them. But we can’t work toward that. We have to work toward being a good hitter.”

No surprises: So far, the big leagues have lived up to Scott Downs’ expectations.

“It’s been as nice as I expected it to be,” said Downs, who will start Friday in Milwaukee as the Cubs close out this 12-game trip against the Brewers. “It’s had its ups and downs. It’s a learning process.”

Like most rookies, Downs has followed one good outing with a subpar one. Downs only spent three years in the minors, compiling a 24-13 record with an impressive 2.93 ERA. This season, Downs has found major-league hitting to be a bit tougher to handle. In 13 starts, Downs is 3-2 with a 5.46 ERA. He also has been tagged for 10 home runs in only 64.1 innings.

“No matter what the pitch is or what the situation is, you have to learn to cut down on your mistakes,” Downs said. “I think I got intimidated by the hitters that are in there instead of just pitching like I’ve always done.”

Valdes ready: Manager Don Baylor said that Ismael Valdes will return to the rotation and start Saturday. Valdes missed his last scheduled start because of a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. He threw before Wednesday’s game.

“[Valdes] was fine, he’s ready to pitch,” Baylor said.

Almost ready: Ricky Gutierrez was in the lineup Wednesday at shortstop, but Baylor said he’s still about a week away from returning to the lineup every day. Gutierrez came off the disabled list June 22 after suffering a separated shoulder.

“His timing is off at the plate,” Baylor said. “I didn’t want [him] to be a problem [Wednesday] against [Pirates starter Francisco] Cordova. He’s had a tough time against Cordova.”

Out of balance: Baylor said he would like to add another position player to the roster, preferably a right-handed hitter, or switch-hitter Gary Matthews Jr., who was sent back to Iowa last week.

“I’d like to have Matthews back because he gave me a switch hitter,” Baylor said. “Like today, you look at your card and you have one right-hander and four left-handers. A switch hitter gives me a little flexibility.”

Baylor said that if Valdes is healthy, another pitcher may have to be sent down. The Cubs are carrying 12 pitchers.