Gooden Proves Masterful Again at Wrigley Field

Although he’s nearly unbeatable at Wrigley Field, Dwight Gooden doesn’t like pitching there.

Gooden continued to dominate the Cubs and Omar Vizquel hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning as the Cleveland Indians won, 3-1, Monday night at Chicago.

“He’s one of those guys that no matter who is wearing a Cubs uniform, he’s got their number,” said Chicago’s Mark Grace. “That didn’t change tonight.”

Gooden, who pitched six strong innings to improve his record at Wrigley to 9-1 and his overall mark against Chicago to 28-4, is puzzled by his success on the Cubs’ home turf.

“I’ve never felt comfortable here,” he said. “I’ve never felt comfortable pitching in this place. I’ve never felt comfortable on the mound.”

Cleveland Manager Mike Hargrove had a different opinion.

“Maybe the mound here fits him well,” Hargrove said. “Maybe he’s just comfortable pitching here.”

David Bell hit a solo homer for the Indians, who won for the fifth time in 12 games. The Cubs have lost five of their last eight.

Chicago’s Sammy Sosa, who needs one more homer in June to tie the major league record of 18 in any month, went 0 for four. He struck out twice, hit into a double play and popped out.

“We don’t have any special stuff for Sosa,” Hargrove said. “We have been spoiled, expecting hitters like [Mark] McGwire or Sosa to do it every night. It’s not fair.”

Gooden (2-3), whose other 27 victories over the Cubs came while he was pitching for the New York Mets, gave up one run and four hits before a crowd of 39,556 that included a loud contingent of Indians fans.

“I was really pumped by the crowd,” Gooden said. “To hear the support this team is getting on the road, it’s incredible.”

Grace said Gooden is relying more on placement than power these days.

“He’s not throwing as hard as he used to,” Grace said. “He’s one of those guys who’s been around enough to know how to get guys out.”

Mike Jackson got the final three outs for his 15th save.

The Indians stole a season-high four bases, two of which led to runs.

“We got things going with our running game,” Vizquel said. “We had four steals and that puts pressure on their defense.”

Kevin Tapani (8-6), who spent most of his career in the American League with Minnesota and played one season with the Chicago White Sox, took the loss. He gave up two runs on six hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings.

Bell led off the Cleveland third with his fourth homer of the season.

Henry Rodriguez tied it 1-1 with his 14th home run leading off the Cubs fifth. The game was briefly halted when bleacher fans showered the field with “Oh Henry!” candy bars.

The Cubs had runners at first and third with one out in the sixth, but Gooden got Sosa to hit into a double play.