If Ryne Sandberg becomes the next manager of the Cubs, Hall of Famer Andre Dawson would listen to his former teammate about possibly joining the team’s coaching staff.

“We would sit down and talk about eventually what he would have in mind,” Dawson said. “I’m very comfortable with what I’m doing right now, but I wouldn’t rule out anything. I said when I retired, I didn’t want to put the uniform back on full-time. I’ve been given ample opportunities to do that. But I’d never close the door on any opportunity or situation – especially if I thought it was the right one.”

Dawson said he thought Sandberg would do more than an adequate job if he was named Cubs’ manager.

Notes

Carlos Zambrano pointed to a few definitive things as to why he’s having more success pitching since his return from the restricted list.

“At some point of the season, I tended to drop my arm. It’s cause I’m tired,” Zambrano said. “As soon as I get my strength going, I feel better and better and my arm slot is better too. Like I say, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

Zambrano is 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in his five starts since returning to the rotation.

The Cubs’ seven-run fourth inning was their biggest run producing frame since scoring seven Sept. 8 2009 against Pittsburgh.

Monday’s crowd of 29,538 was the Cubs smallest crowd of the season to date.

Zambrano’s first homer of the season was the 21st of his career. It extended his club record for homers by a pitcher. Wes Ferrell is the all-time leader in that category for a pitcher. He has 36.