Hundley Can’t Do Much Catching Up

Catcher Todd Hundley signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs last December after two seasons with the Dodgers, and he did not anticipate having much time to reminisce with former teammates Friday in his first trip back to Dodger Stadium.

Not with hard-throwing Cub right-hander Kerry Wood on the mound.

“It will be strange the first one or two pitches because of the surroundings, but when you have a 97-mph fastball coming at you, you kind of have to forget about the surroundings and get into the groove of the game,” said Hundley, who went 0 for 4 in the Cubs’ 2-1 victory.

Hundley, 32, was on the disabled list from June 19-July 26 because of a lower-back strain. He had played in 49 games before Friday’s start.

Hundley entered the game batting .184 with five home runs and 21 runs batted in. He was four for 47 in his previous 14 games before he hit a home run Wednesday against the San Diego Padres, his first homer since May 5.

Hundley said he is finally healthy and hopes he can help the Cubs maintain their lead in the National League Central. Cub Manager Don Baylor has also utilized Joe Girardi and Robert Machado behind the plate.

“It’s about winning here,” Hundley said. “[Baylor] has a good problem to have--trying to fit guys in. I’m not concerned about starting every game. I’ll play tonight and see what happens.”

Center fielder McKay Christensen has no intention of becoming a power hitter after hitting his first homer for the Dodgers in Thursday’s loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

“It felt good to get that first one out of the way,” he said. “Hopefully, I can get a couple more when we really need one.”

With the Dodgers in a tight division race with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants, Christensen said he will benefit from having played for the Chicago White Sox during their run to last year’s American League Central title.

“That experience is not something that a lot of guys are able to have, especially when they’re just breaking in,” Christensen said. “Getting into a playoff game last year was good for me because I know what to expect. I know what it’s like.”

Outfielder Shane Victorino was named the Dodgers’ minor league player of the month and Kole Strayhorn was named pitcher of the month for July.

Victorino, a sixth-round draft choice in 1999, batted .317 with a home run, three triples, three doubles, 14 RBIs and 14 stolen bases for Wilmington in the Class-A South Atlantic League.

Strayhorn, a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, was 4-0 with a 1.21 earned-run average in the Gulf Coast Rookie League.

Before today’s game against the Cubs, the Dodgers will host the annual Hollywood Stars Game at 11 a.m.

Actors John Cusack, Keanu Reeves and Anthony Edwards are among those scheduled to participate.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

JAMES BALDWIN

(0-0, 2.25 ERA)

vs.

CUBS’

JULIAN TAVAREZ

(8-6, 3.83 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 1 p.m.

TV--Channel 11. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Update--Baldwin, acquired from the Chicago White Sox for three minor leaguers July 26, pitched well in his debut with the club last Sunday. He gave up two runs, seven hits and struck out three in eight innings but did not earn the decision in the 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Baldwin faced the Cubs once this season, surrendering one run in a 3 1/3-inning relief appearance June 9. He has given up 23 earned runs in 20 innings in six career appearances against the Cubs.