Cubs Trade Dunston to the Pirates

The Chicago Cubs traded shortstop Shawon Dunston to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday night for a player to be named later.

The Pirates’ starting shortstop, Kevin Polcovich, injured his ankle Friday night against Milwaukee and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Dunston, 34, is hitting .284 in 114 games and leads the Cubs with 29 stolen bases. His playing time dropped after the Cubs acquired Manny Alexander in a trade with the New York Mets earlier in the month.

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The Colorado Rockies will call up John Vander Wal, Jeff McCurry and Robbie Beckett from triple-A Colorado Springs when rosters can be expanded today.

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Philadelphia pitcher Curt Schilling, scheduled to start today against the New York Yankees, needs five strikeouts to top Jim Bunning’s 268 in 1965 as the most in a season by a Phillie right-hander.

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The Florida Marlins’ Cuban pitching connection of Alex Fernandez and Livan Hernandez has compiled a 15-2 record since the All-Star break. Since June 28, Fernandez and Hernandez have combined to win 21 games while the club is 23-4 in its last 27 starts. . . St. Louis Cardinal slugger Mark McGwire, who has 43 home runs, missed his second consecutive game Sunday because of a bruised left shin.