Soriano Back to Leadoff

Two more days of a lackluster offense and Alfonso Soriano is back in the leadoff spot...Soriano, Riot, Fukudome, Lee, Reed Johnson, Fontenot, Soto, Miles and Harden try to avoid the sweep today.

Way to stick with it, Lou.

"We said we'd try it and we did," Lou Piniella said of Soriano, who struck out three times on Saturday. "We'll just put him in the leadoff spot. That's where he feels comfortable, and that's where we'll leave him."

Even Soriano seems confused if this Twitter quote is from him: "Soriano: ''Back again? My goodness, only 2 games?'' I think that's meant to be a quote from Soriano, although maybe it's just Wittenmyer's reaction to it.

On another note, please, please win this game.

Comments

Lou on the pregame interview with Santo: Bradley's not ready. Expects ARam to be ready sometime during the Arizona series.

Hoffpauir in, after Lee doubled in his first AB...

Hoffpauir in for DLee in bottom of the 1st. Oh oh. Not reporting why as yet. At least Hoff isn't out of position today.

1B Jake Fox already has hit nine HR at Iowa and was named PCL Player of the Week and will probably be PCL Player of the Month, too, so if D-Lee is down for any extended period, J-Fox could get recalled to platoon at 1B with Micah Hoffpauir.

And INF Luis Rivas is here in Mesa at Fitch Park (Extended Spring Training) rehabbing a hamstring injury, but he looks to be about ready to get reactivated, so if the Cubs need an infielder who can play 3B-SS-2B when they get to Arizona tomorrow, he can take a cab over to Chase Field after playing in the EXST game tomorrow morning.

Also, 2008 #1 draft pick RHP Andrew Cashner has left EXST and is en route to Daytona. In related minor league roster moves, RHP Marcos Mateo has been promoted from Daytona to AA Tennessee, LHRP Jayson Ruhlman has been promoted from Tennessee to AAA Iowa, and RHP Justin Berg (on the Iowa DL with a sore shoulder) has arrived at Fitch Park to begin his rehab. .

DLee out with neck spasms. He's had some neck problems a year or two ago as I recall. Usually a day by day thing unless it's a Hank White type scenerio who had a cervical disc herniation.

in the back of the head, fastball...staying in.

regarding our upcoming series vs DBacks, in addition to Webb, Stephen Drew is now on the DL

another RBI single for the Birthday boy, 6-1 (top 4) K Fukudome singled to center, R Theriot scored. >CHC 6 STL 1 R Theriot safe at second on throwing error by shortstop K Greene, A Soriano scored. >CHC 5 STL 1 A Soriano stole third. A Soriano hit a ground rule double to deep right.

Kerry Wood gets save #4 in typical fashion single, walk, double play, K. Bulls ahead by 4 in double overtime...we'll see.

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In reply to by Rob G.

I think I hate Cotts more than I hate Hendry, and that is not easy...:) Now that they scored 10 runs today, Soriano will now for sure never leave the leadoff spot. A bit surprised Lou only gave it 2 games more switching back, even though I shouldn't be surprised since it is Lou. Great job by the offense to jump on STL today early and Harden doing well. Hopefully Lee is fine and we cna turn things around a bit on the road the next 3 games. Go Cubs!!!

Much needed win and they didn't look bad doing it either. Hopefully we can just get through these next couple of games and get everyone healthy again. We are playing 2 teams that are also pretty cold in the Dbacks and Marlins. Could be a nice bounce back week. Hopefully a few people have stepped off the ledge.

I'd like to propose a trade of Chad Gaudin, Rich Hill, and Jose Ceda to the White Sox for Nick Swisher. I know he had a down year, but I think he fits nicely in RF and the middle or top of the lineup for the Cubs and will re surge in 2009. Oh hindsight. Could we see Fontenot and Hoffpauir at the corners tomorrow? It'd be ridiculous if none of Lee, Aramis, or Bradley are available to do anything but pinch hit tomorrow. Great game though. I'm thrilled to see the offense put it together. I hope Fontenot and Soto find their bats, especially Fontenot (I really don't want to see Miles take any playing time from him).

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In reply to by Charlie

Honestly, how can you not DL Bradley backdated to his last appearance and recall a bat from anywhere including the waiver list. I mean the '40-Man' is currently a '34-Man' reserve list. Is there some 'under the table' agreement with his agent? I can't say I would mind Hoffpauir playing 1B 3-4 times a week.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

No, Cubs fans don't go crazy over the flavor of the month new young Cubs (Murton, Dubois, Choi, Fontenot, etc.). My favorite was John Hill, may God rest his sole, had this weird obsession over Jermaine Van Buren. Yes, the same JVB who lasted a hole 19.0 innings in the big leagues.

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In reply to by mannytrillo

Van Buren- #.00 ERA, 6 innings, 9 walks, 3 K's. Choi: .218/.350/.421, 8 HR, 28 RBI Dubois: 227 AB's, .233/.286/.443 Murton: .288/.354/.438, 900 AB's Yeah..Murton equals those 3... I will say this. Manny, you were dead on about Ronny Cedeno. Murton coulda been a sold LF, if they'd have just left him alone about the power..lol. It got into his head too much.

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In reply to by mannytrillo

And you may be right, but IMO, he deserved a better fate than what he got here, especially after the first full season: .297/.365/.444, 13 HR, 62 RBI. I just don't think he deserved to get yanked around, or is comparable to Choi, Dubois, etc... OrangeDude is hitting .417, with 3 HR, 17 RBI's , and 5 steals for AAA Col. Springs..

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

I'll give you that. But I think he's a decent all around player, especially at the salary. He's at least adequate with the glove and, I think (though he's only shown OBP skills this year), that he can be a pretty respectable 2, 6-8 hitter. He isn't Chase Utley, but I think on a good year he can approach what DeRosa has done in his best years (offensively).

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