Lynch Makes His Pitch For More Timely Hitting

SAN DIEGO Cubs general manager Ed Lynch isn't concerned about hisstarting pitchers, who produced a 5-7 record, 5.18 ERA and 53 walksin 116 innings through the Cubs' first 20 games.

It's those hitters who have batted a respectable .280 andaveraged 5.5 runs a game whom Lynch is most concerned about.

"There's a little concern about our lack of timely hitting andsituational hitting," Lynch said. "Like driving in runners fromthird base with less than two outs."The thing I am upset about is guys not being smarter when theyneed to take a strike with runners in scoring position, or notknowing how to get a runner home from third with less than twoouts."That was a problem last year that manager Jim Rigglemanaddressed throughout spring training."I don't want to see us go through that again," Lynch said."We're addressing it and we'll turn it up a notch if we have to.We'll take extra hitting if that's what it takes."That's the plan for shortstop Rey Sanchez, who will spend thetwo-game series vs. the Padres on the bench in favor of JoseHernandez. Sanchez (.209), who has three hits in his last 29at-bats, will work with hitting instructor Billy Williams on usingthe whole field.Having a weak link in the No. 8 hole in front of the pitcher"puts an end to a lot of rallies when those two don't produce," Lynchsaid.Lynch is confident he'll get production from his startingrotation - especially Jaime Navarro and Frank Castillo, both winlessin five starts apiece."For me, (Navarro) is one of the top five or six startingpitchers in the league," Lynch said. "I know he's going to turn itaround. He's been incredibly unlucky."NICE PROBLEM: Though Riggleman said his bullpen "is not asdefined as some bullpens" when it comes to roles, right now he feelslike the kid who can't decide which present to open first onChristmas morning when he plugs his relievers into varioussituations."If it's the sixth or seventh inning and you have four guysthrowing good, which one do you use?" Riggleman said. "It's a goodsituation to have."NOTES: The Cubs hit into 27 double plays in their first 20 games,compared to 12 by their opponents.Sammy Sosa played in his 201st consecutive game on Wednesday.