Nixon Is Back In Swing

ATLANTA With Deion Sanders on the disabled list because of anupper respiratory infection, Otis Nixon is making the most of hisplaying time.

Nixon is hitting .365 with 19 hits in his last 52 at bats.

"We all got a job to do, and while Deion is out, I have to domine," Nixon said Saturday after scoring a run in Atlanta's 5-1victory over the Cubs.

"Whether it's Deion or me, all I know is with the makeup of thisballclub, we won't miss a beat with either one of us out there. Thechemistry is there, which is why we have a chance."

Asked if he had been concerned about starting when Sanders washealthy, Nixon said: "I never thought about it. I was just hoping itwould turn out I could still be happy regardless of the situation.Everything's OK right now."

NOT RIGHT: With Saturday's loss to Braves starter Steve Avery, theCubs are 11-21 against left-handers.

BETTER NUMBERS: Today's game is the Cubs' final meeting withthe Braves this season, and the Cubs trail 5-6 in the series. Lastyear, the Cubs went 2-10.

MYERS IMPROVED: With the job Avery did Saturday, the Cubs didn'thave to call on closer Randy Myers, who has been bothered recently byshoulder soreness.

Just as well, said team trainer John Fierro. "I listed him asavailable but if we could give him another day, it would be good,"Fierro said. "But he is much better."

EARLY EDGE: How much does it bother a team like San Francisco toknow that the team chasing them - the Braves - won Saturday while theGiants were idle and could win again before they take the fieldtonight in Florida.

"It's always good to post a win before they get ready to play,"Avery said. "It puts a little more pressure on. In '91, we did thata lot to L.A. in night games, and it seemed to work out better forus."

POWER SURGE: With his grand-slam Friday, Derrick May became thesixth Cub to reach double-digits in home runs this season. May (10)joined Sammy Sosa (29), Rick Wilkins (24), Steve Buechele (11), MarkGrace (11) and Dwight Smith (11).

The club record for most batters having at least 10 homers iseight, set in 1955 and 1959.