Kerry Wood

HittingAndruw Jones, Braves: 4 RBIs, 2 HRs.Ray Lankford, Cardinals: HR, 2 doubles.Bill Mueller, Giants: 2 doubles, 15-game hitting streak.PitchingKerry Wood, Cubs: 7 innings, 1 run, 5 hits, 13 strikeouts, 2 RBIs.Todd Stottlemyre, Cardinals: 8 innings, 0 runs, 2 hits, 13 strikeouts.Pub Date: 5/12/98

Who's hot Todd Helton of the Rockies went 2-for-5 and is hitting .432 in July (16-for-37). Who's not Kerry Ligtenberg of the Blue Jays has allowed 12 of the 15 runners he's inherited to score. His ERA is 5.83. Line of the day Manny Ramirez, Red Sox LF AB R H RBI HR 5 2 4 5 2 On deck Kerry Wood of the Cubs to day makes his first start since May 11, facing the Cardinals. He said it "It's an honor to beat him. This is a day I have to celebrate, because you don't see that every day."

Hitting Brian Jordan, Cardinals: 5-for-5, 4 RBIs, HR. Moises Alou, Astros: 4 RBIs, 2 doubles. Jose Hernandez, Cubs: 4 RBIs, HR. Pitching Sean Bergman, Astros: 8 innings, 1 run, 3 hits. Kerry Wood, Cubs: 6 innings, 0 runs, 2 hits, 8 strikeouts. Pub Date: 5/18/98

CHICAGO - They have been arguably the most patient, forgiving fans in sports, tolerating years of losing with a smile and a simple shrug of the shoulders. But make no mistake: What happened the past two nights stings, hurts and gnaws worse than anything Chicago Cubs fans have ever experienced. And it's likely to linger for a while, too. "This hurts more than ever," longtime resident Linda Young said. "Every year you build up hope. Every year you think it's the year. Fifty-seven years I've followed this team.

Quote: "He means an awful lot to the Nicaraguan people. Only six of us have made it to the big leagues and he was the first. They don't call him 'El Presidente' for nothing." -- Nicaraguan Marvin Benard of the Giants, on Dennis Martinez's becoming the winningest Latin pitcher.It's a fact: The Pirates have lost a major-league-high 26 one-run decisions.Who's hot: The Astros' 71-46 record is their best through 117 games.Who's not: The Pirates have won three of their past 14.On deck: The veteran goes against the rookie, as the Giants' Orel Hershiser (8-8)

Who's hot The Red Sox are 20-4 on the road, the best start in the majors since Detroit had the same mark in 1984. Who's not Jon Lieber of the Cubs is winless since April 25 after starting the season 3-0. Line of the day Kip Wells, Pirates pitcher IP R H BB SO 9 0 4 2 4 He said it "There wasn't one strike. I was hoping for something to hit." Shawn Green, Dodgers right fielder, on walking three times against Brewers' Jamey Wright On deck Kerry Wood of the Cubs goes for his sixth win of the season as he faces the Pirates today.

CHICAGO - It's turning into a tale so enchanting that parents should consider telling it bedside to their children at night. The Chicago Cubs have gone from "Viewer Discretion Advised" to "Viewers Advised," meaning get to Wrigley Field to experience the enchantment. The Cubs are 42-27 and lead the National League Central by five games after last night's 9-4 victory in St. Louis. Chicago started the season hot, then lost eight consecutive games to fall to 21-20. Talk was about how they had overachieved earlier in the season and the "real" Cubs were back.

Quote: "That's the way they play this game. When you don't do good, they put somebody in your spot." -- third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who was optioned by the Pirates to Triple-A Nashville after hitting .180 and making four errors It's a fact: On the same day fellow "Nasty Boy" Norm Charlton was released by the Reds, former reliever Rob Dibble led the singing of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" at Wrigley Field. Who's hot: Cardinals' Fernando Tatis has a 13-game hitting streak. Who's not: The Reds' Pete Harnisch has given up six homers in 25 innings.

MESA, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs have two huge reasons to believe that they will get up off the mat in the National League Central after last year's disappointing sixth-place finish. The Cubs were one of the few teams able to trade for a quality starting pitcher in the off-season (Ismael Valdes), and the club expects to have 1998 phenom Kerry Wood back in the rotation in early April. If all goes well, they'll have at least four solid starters (including veterans Kevin Tapani and Jon Lieber)