Team Says Goodbye to Young

Eric Young will not torment the Dodgers again this season.

That’s because the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs completed their season series Sunday afternoon in the Dodgers’ 7-6, 10-inning victory at Wrigley Field.

And not a moment too soon for the Dodgers, who were frustrated watching their former teammate despite winning six of nine in the season series.

The second baseman has stirred things atop the order in his first season with the Cubs.

On Sunday, Young was three for five with a run-scoring double. He also turned a double play and committed an error.

“It really doesn’t mean that much,” said Young, in reference to playing against the Dodgers. “I want to come through in the clutch against anyone.”

Against the Dodgers, Young had a .350 average with seven runs batted in. He also was four for four in stolen bases.

General Manager Kevin Malone traded Young to the Cubs because of Young’s rocky relationship with Manager Davey Johnson and concerns about his defense.

Young, one of the National League’s top leadoff batters, has become a crowd favorite at Wrigley Field.

He has been better than advertised defensively, and one of the few bright spots in another disappointing Cub season.

The Dodger leadoff situation is still unsettled, and team officials acknowledge that trading Young was a mistake.

After making many strong comments about Johnson and the Dodgers, Young wants to put the situation behind him.

“In all honesty, I have a lot of fun playing those guys,” said Young, batting .290 with 43 stolen bases. “I still have a lot of friends over there, and I’m over the situation I had with . . . I’m over that stuff. I have a lot more to concern myself with now.”

*

Pitcher Kevin Brown, recovering from a viral infection, pitched in a bullpen session and plans to start tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers.

“I’m feeling better, I’m feeling much better than I was a few days ago,” Brown said. “I’m just going to go out there and do what I can.”

The right-hander was bedridden because of nausea the first two days the Dodgers were in Chicago.

Johnson will be cautious with Brown.

“You don’t want him to overdo it because he hasn’t been feeling good,” Johnson said. “Brownie always goes at full speed, but we’re going to have to see how he is out there.”

*

Catcher Todd Hundley, eligible for free agency after the season, might sign with the Cubs.

Hundley’s father, Randy, caught for the Cubs from 1966-73, and ‘77-78. Hundley grew up in Chicago and his parents still reside here.

“This is home for me, but I’m focused on finishing strong and helping us have a successful year,” Hundley said. “When the off-season comes, everything is obviously wide open.

“The bottom line is that I just want to play for a winning team.”

*

Ismael Valdes’ shaky effort in the rotation so far (0-2, 7.33 ERA) has stirred questions that he might be the one removed from the rotation for Carlos Perez, instead of Matt Herges. . . . According to a team official, Gary Sheffield, still recovering in Los Angeles from flu, will not fly to Milwaukee for today’s game, but might be available Tuesday.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Milwaukee Brewers, four games.

* Site--County Stadium.

* Tonight--5 p.m. PDT.

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2 tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 68-62, Brewers 56-73.

* Record vs. Brewers--1-2.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(11-5, 2.67 ERA)

vs.

BREWERS’

JEFF D’AMICO

(10-4, 1.94 ERA)

* Update--Brown, second in the league in earned-run average, took a perfect game into the seventh inning Aug. 23 in a 5-1 victory over the Montreal Expos. He gave up four hits and a run in seven-plus innings. The right-hander is 11-5 with a 3.04 ERA against the Brewers.

* Tuesday, 5 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (13-8, 3.66) vs. Jimmy Haynes (11-11, 4.81).

* Wednesday, 5 p.m.--Carlos Perez (5-6, 5.20) vs. Jamey Wright (6-7, 4.27).

* Thursday, 11 a.m.--Darren Dreifort (10-7, 4.48) vs. Paul Rigdon (1-2, 5.45).