Start Has Been Bit of a Bear for Hundley

The Chicago Cubs signed former Dodger catcher Todd Hundley for left-handed power and protection behind Sammy Sosa. Hundley, however, can’t provide that protection from the bench. A two-for-22 start has resulted in a loss of playing time and a return to the batting cage for work with hitting coach Jeff Pentland in remodeling his swing.

Basically, says Pentland, Hundley is over-anxious, jumping at pitches, seemingly trying to justify his four-year, $23.5-million contract with one swing.

“He needs to stay back, let the pitch come to him,” Pentland says. “He’s too far in front, chasing the ball. He’s big and strong enough that he doesn’t have to do that.”

Hundley hit 24 homers in 299 at-bats last year and had a .364 average with runners in scoring position. Veteran catcher Joe Girardi has been seeing more service than anticipated for the Cubs, but Hundley’s two-run double in a 7-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday may have been a start.

Sosa hopes so. His new game plan is “to take what the pitchers give me. If they want to walk me, walk me. Somebody else will do the job.” That somebody was expected to be Hundley.

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Speaking of chasing pitches, the Milwaukee Brewers don’t need air conditioning when the roof is closed at Miller Park. Their batters are supplying plenty of ventilation, having struck out a league-high 90 times through 10 games after setting a club record with 1,245 strikeouts last year.

Manager Davey Lopes views it as the price for having three free-swinging power hitters--Geoff Jenkins, Richie Sexson and Jeromy Burnitz--in the middle of the lineup. Through last season, Sexson had struck out once every 3.8 at-bats, Burnitz once every 4.1 and Jenkins once every 4.3.

“What power hitters don’t strike out a lot?” Lopes asked. “You take the good with the bad.”

Houston Astro right-hander Wade Miller, who began the season with a 6-7 major league record, has appeared to be Nolan Ryan while making the Brewers look very bad indeed in two April starts. He struck out 11 at Enron Field and came back Wednesday night to strike out 12 at Miller Park, stirring up the circulation.

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With four starting pitchers on the disabled list, the Pittsburgh Pirates were an obvious choice for Ramon Martinez, who was still thinking blue after his Wednesday signing.

“It kind of surprised me that the Dodgers didn’t think I could make their rotation,” he said, having been released March 28. “Anyone who has followed me throughout my career--and the Dodgers certainly know me better than anybody--knows I’ve never been a good spring training pitcher. You can’t judge me off spring training. I know I can help this team. I know the Pirates won’t be disappointed.”

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The Colorado Rockies spent about $180 million on starting pitchers Mike Hampton, Denny Neagle and Ron Villone, but their bullpen is a work in progress. The Rockies have added six relievers to their big league roster since the end of spring training, without much success. Relievers had made 27 appearances in nine games and yielded 22 earned runs in 26 2/3 innings. They were 1-3 with two saves in three opportunities. Of course, all those relief appearances tended to illustrate that the high-priced starters hadn’t been as effective as expected.

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Dusty Baker took it as a positive sign that his San Francisco Giants left San Diego Thursday night with a 6-3 record, leading the NL West despite the ongoing struggles of Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent and the inconsistency of a solid rotation.

“It’s a great sign,” Baker said. “Where are we going to be when everyone starts hitting and our pitchers start pitching the way they’re capable? It’s the sign of a good team when you can win and you’re not operating on all cylinders. Plus, there’s been a different hero in every game we’ve won. These guys don’t worry too much. They know they can play.”