Chicago Cubs baseball team

CINCINNATI — It's one thing to sweep the Washington Nationals. It's a little tougher to beat the first-place Cincinnati Reds.

Jay Bruce, batting leadoff for the first time this season, belted three homers for the first time in his career and matched a personal best with five RBIs to power the Reds to a 7-1 victory over the Cubs on Friday night and hand manager Mike Quade his first loss in four games at the helm.

"A power-hitting guy and he winds up in the leadoff spot and does that," Quade said. "Bunt the ball or something, would you?"

Quade, who took over Monday for Lou Piniella, said he wasn't superstitious, but didn't want to talk about winning streaks by other Cubs managers prior to the game.

"The kids played great in Washington," Quade said of the team's three-game sweep, "but this is a little different animal here. I would prefer to try to win one game tonight against a very good ballclub."

Bruce and Johnny Cueto (12-4) made it tough. With the loss, the Cubs dropped to 3-11 against the Reds this season. The good news? This is the last series the two teams will play this year. The bad news is they still have to deal with Bruce for two more games. He hit a solo homer in the third and a three-run shot in the fifth off Tom Gorzelanny (7-8), then added another solo blast in the seventh off rookie Scott Maine.

Bruce had three home runs in 21 games in August prior to Friday. This was not the first three-homer game by a Reds player against the Cubs this year. Drew Stubbs clubbed three July 4 at Wrigley Field.

Gorzelanny had served up seven home runs in his 25 other games this year, so the long balls were a surprise.

"I focus on trying to keep the ball down and get guys to ground out," he said, "and [I] haven't given up too many long balls."

But Bruce connected on a hanging slider and a "fastball that decided to stay right in the middle of the plate," Gorzelanny said.

"Good hitters hit those balls, and you can't always get away with bad pitches," Gorzelanny said. "You make mistakes and you pay, especially in this league."

In Gorzelanny's past four starts against the Reds, the lefty had given up seven earned runs over 26 2/3 innings, but on Friday, they scored six off him in five innings.

"Nothing worked for me today," Gorzelanny said. "I made bad pitches and got behind guys and didn't execute my pitches. It's just a real bad outing."

Cueto scattered six hits over eight innings and picked up the win for the Reds, who maintained a four-game lead over the Cardinals in the National League Central.

"He had good stuff today — good location, good fastball, good movement," Chicago's Alfonso Soriano said. "When a guy's pitching with that command, there's nothing we can do."

Cincinnati struck in the first on Joey Votto's RBI single, which raised his season total to 91 RBIs, and made it 2-0 after Bruce connected with one out in the third.

With two outs in the Chicago fourth, Xavier Nady singled and scored on Tyler Colvin's double. That was it against Cueto.

"We never got anything going," Nady said. "With [Cueto], you have to hopefully get a couple baserunners and build off that."

Stubbs doubled to lead off the Cincinnati fifth, Paul Janish walked, and one out later, Bruce launched homer No. 15, and his second of the game, into the right-field seats to make it 5-1. Six pitches later, second baseman Chris Valaika hit his first Major League homer.

"[The Reds] this year … everything is perfect for them," Soriano said. "For us, everything is worse. For them, everything's perfect. They put a guy, first day as a leadoff hitter, and he hits three homers. They put a guy at second base, he goes 2-for-4, double, homer. We've got to concentrate and come back and try to win tomorrow."

Quade was the first Cubs skipper to win his first three games since Jim Riggleman went 4-0 in 1995. His players sounded as if they expected him to go unbeaten the rest of the way.

"[The Reds] are a good team and playing good baseball right now," Gorzelanny said, "but I also think they're a team we can beat regularly. They're a good team and have been a good team all year. I feel that us, as a team, could go out there and beat them the rest of the year. They're in a better situation than us right now."

Yes, they are.

Quade keeps focus on rest of season

Zambrano plans to rejoin Cubs on Saturday

Dernier switches to No. 2

CINCINNATI — Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2003 and said he feels better than before he had the procedure done. Hopefully, the Nationals' Stephen Strasburg will bounce back [from his impending surgery] as well.

"There's no guarantees with any surgery," Dempster said Friday, "but if you get the surgery done and have success with the rehab, he can go back and pitch the way he pitched, with the same type of velocity. My velocity is as good, if not better."

It will take time. Strasburg, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, is sidelined with a significant tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, and he is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery. Dempster said it is an 18-month process to come back.

If Strasburg can throw better after having the surgery, he'll be even more amazing.

"Then you can punch his ticket to the Hall of Fame," Dempster said. "The poor kid — I feel bad for him. He can have all the money in the world, but what he goes through, none of us had to go through that. His first start in the Minor Leagues was televised more than half of our big league starts are. He's never been allowed to just play.

"They've put these unfair expectations on him," Dempster said. "Don't get me wrong, his stuff is electric and different from everybody else — it really is. But it's hard to stay healthy, it's hard to make every start, it's hard to keep your arm healthy, and it's unfair to him to say he's going to make All-Star Game after All-Star Game. He's got to pitch and stay healthy."

Strasburg's starts have produced sellout crowds for the Nationals. He's got to be cautious when he does return, Dempster said.

"I remember coming back and you tell yourself, 'Don't overthrow,' but you get in front of 40,000 people and there's a runner on base, and you're going to try to throw through a brick wall," Dempster said. "But he's got a great head on his shoulders and he's going to work hard."
Quade keeps focus on rest of season
CINCINNATI — Mike Quade has heard that Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is interviewing other candidates for the managerial job, and he just shrugs.

"It's not a distraction," Quade said Friday. "[I'm] not even that curious."

Quade took over on Monday after Lou Piniella moved up his retirement date to attend to family matters. Hendry prepped Quade for all the rumors about who will take over in 2011 last Saturday.

"I'm actually surprised I remember most of [the meeting], because I was buckled," Quade said of the discussion in Chicago. "[Hendry] is going to interview people, this will give him time to do that and not have some crush at the end of the season. He knows I'm good with it, and why wouldn't you be? Somebody said something about Eric Wedge [being interviewed Thursday]. Look, there's a lot of good baseball people out there. I get it."

Hendry did meet with Wedge, who managed the Cleveland Indians from 2003-09. It's one of several interviews Hendry plans on having in hopes of picking the next manager by the first week of November, when the Cubs will hold their organizational meetings.

Quade, who has been on the coaching staff for three-plus years and was the Triple-A Iowa manager for four seasons, is a contender for the job. What if he's not picked?

"I love Chicago, I'd love to be here," Quade said. "I manage, I do this 'audition' … and we see where we go from there. For me to think, 'If I don't get it, I'll do this,' that's not how I'm geared.

"Right now, I want to do the best job here," he said. "If the scenario doesn't involve me running this club, then you take a look at other scenarios. Just let me get through these five weeks."

Quade hasn't changed his routine and is still throwing batting practice. Quade entered Friday's game against the Reds 3-0, and he is the first Cubs manager to win his first three games since Jim Riggleman started 4-0 in 1995. The only other Cubs managers who have started as strong were Jim Essian in '91 (5-0); Rogers Hornsby in '30 (4-0); and Frank Chance in '05 (5-0).

Quade said he's probably more involved than most seasoned Major League managers. He handles the running game, sets the outfield defense.

"I said from Day 1 I have to do this my way," Quade said.

Blake DeWitt led off Friday against the Reds, the third time he's done so this season. That was Quade's idea, and the move was made more to get struggling Tyler Colvin out of the top spot.

"Blake is such a do-anything guy that it made sense," Quade said.

He'll continue to mix and match the outfielders as Piniella did. But he's not paying attention to the rumors.

"You understand the enormity of it," Quade said of his new job. "Once it's 7:05, I enjoy it and actually I find it relaxing to a certain extent."

Zambrano plans to rejoin Cubs on Saturday
CINCINNATI — Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano was expected to rejoin the team Saturday in Cincinnati, in plenty of time for his next start Monday against the Pirates.

Zambrano (5-6, 4.64 ERA) returned to Venezuela to be with an ailing nephew after his start Tuesday against the Nationals.

Meanwhile, Carlos Silva threw 50 pitches over 2 2/3 innings in his rehab start Friday night for Class A Peoria. Silva gave up two hits, both singles, and struck out one. The right-hander, who is 10-5 with a 3.92 ERA, has not started for the Cubs since Aug. 1, when he came out of a game against the Rockies after four batters because of an abnormal heart rate. He underwent a procedure Aug. 9 to correct that.

The right-hander was expected to throw 45 pitches over three or four innings for the Minor League team.

Dernier switches to No. 2
CINCINNATI — Cubs coach Bob Dernier wore No. 20 when he played for the team and pitcher Thomas Diamond offered it back to him.

"It was his number first," Diamond said.

On Friday, Dernier switched to No. 2 in honor of his former coach, John Vukovich, who passed away in March 2007. Dernier keeps a picture of Vukovich on his locker. The number 20 was special, but the memory of "Vuk" is even more so.

"To me, numbers are meant to be passed on," Dernier said.

Dernier, who was the roving baserunning instructor in the Minor Leagues, joined the Cubs' staff on Monday when Mike Quade was promoted from first-base coach and outfield instructor to manager, replacing Lou Piniella.

WASHINGTON — Instead of dressing in the cramped quarters like most coaches do after a game, Mike Quade gazed across the spacious wood desk in the visiting manager's office at Nationals Park, a little unsure what to do with the mementos of his first Major League victory.

There were two baseballs — one thrust into the new Cubs manager's hand by catcher Geovany Soto after reliever Thomas Diamond fanned Roger Bernadina for the final out of a 9-1 shellacking of the Nationals, the other pulled from home-plate umpire Tim Timmons' ballbag. Timmons also presented Quade with an official umpire's lineup card from his debut.

"What do you do with all the baseballs? Throw BP with them?" Quade asked the reporters huddled around him.

There were chuckles all around, but Quade wasn't joking. He wasn't sure. Quade marveled at how quickly Major League Baseball authenticators had put their official stamp on the cowhide covering and decided one ball should go to his parents. Quade will keep the other.

Day 1 of the Quade era dawned on Monday, with a baseball lifer, elevated to the managerial ranks when Lou Piniella stepped down after Sunday's game, talking about improving an underperforming club and making the most of the opportunity he's been given.

Step one for Quade, the Cubs' third-base coach for the past four seasons after compiling a 1,213-1,165 record in 17 seasons as a Minor League skipper: Keep the focus on results-oriented improvement in a lost season's final six weeks.

"These kids have to improve, we have to get better and our veterans have to carry us," Quade said in the visitors' dugout at Nationals Park while conducting his first pregame session with the media as the Cubs' interim manager.

"I don't care whether you're going to the World Series, in the pennant hunt or trying to play spoiler, the last six weeks are a son of a gun. You lean on your veterans and your kids have to get better. The kids have plenty of energy, but we have to see progress from them."

At least Quade didn't have to introduce himself to a clubhouse that already knew him well.

"You don't come in here and try to set the world on fire. You don't make a million changes," he said after the game. "These guys know me, but as a third-base coach. You change hats, and I wanted to let them know, you guys know who I am, but my voice is going to be a little louder. You want to know what my pet peeves are? Here they are. I would prefer not to have a mystery, and to let them know what differences they may see now."

The whirlwind nature of the past day or so — with Piniella, who had previously said he would step down at season's end, abruptly announcing that he was leaving the gig earlier than expected so he could care for his ill mother in Tampa, Fla. — has been both a blessing and a curse to the 53-year-old Quade.

On the positive side, it's given the Evanston, Ill., native an opportunity to manage his hometown team, despite the fact that his new role might have a monetary downside. Quade quipped that he expects his bill for game tickets left at Wrigley Field to rise exponentially with the duties of his new role.

The flip side of the pleasant, if unexpected, development: The chance of a lifetime is before him, and Quade is a little out of his comfort zone, even if he feels infinitely comfortable in the new job's surroundings.

"I think all the craziness around me has probably made it easier. I've always been focused on the process of getting ready for a game or a series. When you haven't done it in a while, you better get into it and jump into it quick," Quade said. "I've been here for four of five hours preparing for something that I hope, in a few days, will be back to more of a routine for me where two hours of preparation will get the job done."

To facilitate a smoother transition, Quade tried to keep the gameday routine, well, routine. He held early hitting and defense before the opening game of a three-game series against the Nationals, just as the Cubs would normally do the first day of a road series.

Of course, there were new additions to his daily grind — welcoming arriving first-base coach Bob Dernier, taping a pregame radio show, making a lineup for a Major League team and a 10-minute meeting with his team before they stretched.

"I keep busy and not stewing and thinking about things for a long time, maybe [the quick turnaround after the announcement] did make a difference," Quade acknowledged when asked if perhaps not having time to think about the new assignment was a positive development.

But Quade's opportunity is crystal clear: If he has designs on ever making an impact as a Major League manager, the next six weeks are ripe for showcasing how he would handle a club.

He winced when the word "audition" was mentioned, but quickly warmed to the concept.

"I guess it probably, absolutely is. I got to do what I do. It's a generic statement, but it really is [true]. I know what I've done in the past, and I just have to approach it and do it my way, and whatever happens, happens," Quade said. "But I'd say in some way, shape or form, it's absolutely an audition."

The Cubs clubhouse didn't show any ill effects from a tumultuous day — and then some — where leadership changed.

"Bottom line: go out there and play. The game doesn't stop," said outfielder Marlon Byrd. "Lou's put all this time into the game and it knows what he's done and appreciates what he's done, and he's definitely left his mark. He'll always be remembered, but at the same time, everybody knows the game must go on. We'll finish up strong and play hard for Quade and do this organization proud."

Outfielder Tyler Colvin said the fact that the Cubs are already familiar with Quade will facilitate a smooth transition.

"We know Quade very well, and I think he's going to do a good job with us," Colvin said. "We're comfortable with him."

It showed in Monday's victory. Quade talked about how much he needed a good night's sleep, something that escaped him after learning he would take over from Piniella, and he was asked if he had a chance to savor the experience of his first Major League managerial triumph.

"I probably will later. It depends on your definition of 'savor,'" Quade smiled.

He's still relearning how to pull the strings as a skipper, something he last did at Triple-A Iowa in 2006. To Quade, that's the fun part, the mechanical side of managing.

"[I enjoy] the challenge of managing a game," he said. "I'm a handicapper, I love thoroughbreds, I love puzzles. So working through it [is fun]. When these guys played through it as well as they did and made it easy for me to relax, that made it better."

WASHINGTON — The message delivered by new Cubs interim manager Mike Quade to his team in the wake of Lou Piniella's surprising exit couldn't have been simpler: Relax and play hard.

Check and check.

Quade's debut a day after Piniella managed his last game with the Cubs couldn't have gone much better. Rookie right-hander Casey Coleman earned his first Major League win, taking a one-hit shutout into the seventh inning, and a couple of lineup changes paid immediate dividends in a 9-1 Chicago victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.

"It was a stress-free night, and it was fun to watch," said Quade, adding that he was eagerly anticipating a good night's sleep before he tries to formulate his first winning streak as a Major League manager.

For at least one night, the Cubs' former third-base coach had the golden touch. New leadoff hitter Blake DeWitt homered to ignite a five-run third inning, and the Cubs presented Quade with a victory in his debut. Quade was named to replace Piniella, who accelerated his retirement schedule, departing after Sunday's game to tend to his ailing mother in Tampa, Fla.

"I will enjoy this," Quade said. "This is a nice night for me, but you don't get much rest here. There's plenty of work to do."

Chicago, which had dropped six of seven games, opened a six-game road trip with a win. Coleman (1-1) did his part, allowing one run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings and chipping in an RBI single. The righty walked two and struck out three, and after Ryan Zimmerman's first-inning single the Nationals didn't get another hit until the seventh, when Ivan Rodriguez's RBI groundout ruined his shutout bid.

"I knew that the attention was on the Cubs now, with Lou deciding to retire," Coleman said. "It's been a disappointing season for a lot of guys, and I wanted to come up here and [win], especially tonight, after something's changed. Some of us see this as a new start maybe."

The victory came in the city where Coleman's father, 15-year Major League pitcher Joe Coleman, went 43-50 in his first six seasons after the Washington Senators took him with the third overall pick in the 1965 amateur Draft.

"He mentioned that to me: 'Your first year, you get to pitch in Washington, and that's where I spent my first year,'" Coleman said. "He likes to talk about stuff like that. It's cool to pitch in the same city where he was. Kind of different being on the other team, but it's still pretty cool."

No pitch was more important than the right-hander's 3-2 fastball to Nationals slugger Adam Dunn in the first, which set the tone for the night. Adam Kennedy had reached on DeWitt's error and Zimmerman had singled, putting runners at first and second with one out. But Coleman got Dunn to chase a 92-mph pitch, and the Nationals didn't get another hit until Dunn led off the seventh with a single up the middle against an exaggerated shift.

"After that first inning, when I was able to strike out Dunn, that just gives you a lot of confidence — their big guy up there with runners in scoring position," Coleman said. "Anytime you can get him out in that situation, especially a strikeout, it gives you a lot of confidence. I knew I could I throw strikes and compete with a fastball, and I was able to do that."

That strikeout helped set the stage for what turned out to be an easy evening piloting the Cubs for Quade.

"[Coleman] located very well. He did make some pitches early in the game when he had to," Quade said. "He was consistently down, I thought — and down too much at times — but he still was able to do what he does. Look, he's a guy who's got to make pitches. He doesn't have fantastic stuff, but he can locate and get great movement on his pitches. This was his best outing for sure."

Nationals starter Livan Hernandez tempted fate in the second inning, when he loaded the bases with two down and got Coleman to bounce back to the mound for the third out, then allowed Chicago to take a 5-0 lead in the third.

DeWitt, installed as the Cubs' new leadoff hitter in the most noticeable of Quade's lineup tweaks, led off with a homer to right field, his fourth of the year. Starlin Castro singled and was cut down trying to steal second, but Marlon Byrd was hit on the right hand by a Hernandez pitch and Aramis Ramirez drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Xavier Nady was hit on the back of the left leg, loading the bases, and Tyler Colvin shot a two-run single between first and second.

"You know his reputation," said DeWitt of Hernandez. "He's a tough pitcher. He's going to pitch you tough each and every at-bat. He never gives in. You know he's had a lot of success, so you try to be as patient as you can, and string as many good at-bats as you can together."

Alfonso Soriano, dropped to seventh for the first time this season to split up two right-handers in the lineup, looped a ball down the right-field line that got past the dive of Willie Harris and went for a two-run triple.

The Cubs chased Hernandez in a two-run fifth. Nady singled, Soriano hit a one-out double to left and Geovany Soto was intentionally walked to load the bases for Coleman. With the infield in, Coleman singled to left for his first Major League hit and RBI. DeWitt then greeted reliever Miguel Batista with a sacrifice fly to right, making it 7-0.

Hernandez (8-9) yielded seven runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked four, hit two and struck out five.

Soto drew a bases-loaded walk off Doug Slaten in the sixth. Kosuke Fukudome, who entered the game on defense after Byrd left after being hit in the hand, added a run-scoring single off Joel Peralta in the seventh.

"Tonight was just a fun game all around. We're just going to keep playing hard, finish out the season strong," DeWitt said. "Make as many strides as players and as a team as we can and concentrate on getting better as a team."

Coleman replaces Diamond in Cubs' rotation

Soriano sits for rest, not because of injury

Cubs vie for first series win since mid-July

Tidbits

ST. LOUIS — After blasting solo home runs in his first two at-bats Sunday, Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee was removed from the game with lower back stiffness.

According to initial reports, the injury will be day-to-day.

Lee was replaced by Tyler Colvin, and Xavier Nady moved from the outfield to first base in the fifth inning. Lee struck out looking in his last at-bat.

After spending four days on the bereavement list, Lee had been on a hot streak for the series in St. Louis. In the three games, Lee had blasted four home runs and a double to go with four RBIs.
Coleman replaces Diamond in Cubs' rotation
ST. LOUIS — Cubs pitcher Thomas Diamond was given a three-start test to keep his job in the Chicago starting rotation.

He didn't pass.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced Sunday that Diamond's turn in the rotation Wednesday was being handed off to Casey Coleman. Diamond struggled in all three starts he has made this season, giving up a total 12 earned runs in 13 innings. He made it through only four innings against the Cardinals on Friday and lasted only three innings against the Reds.

"We are going to make a change," Piniella said. "We are going to pitch Coleman. And Diamond will go to the bullpen and pitch long relief."

Coleman pitched two scoreless innings of relief in Diamond's last start and struck out three batters. Piniella said Friday he liked how he looked and after talking with pitching coach Larry Rothschild, decided to give Coleman a shot.

Soriano sits for rest, not because of injury
ST. LOUIS — Alfonso Soriano's name was absent from the lineup card for the second day in a row Sunday, but both Cubs manager Lou Piniella and Soriano said it was for normal rest and had nothing to do with injury.

It was the second straight day game at Busch Stadium, with the infamous St. Louis heat baking the field.

"My body feels 100 percent. There is not a problem with my body," Soriano said.

"[Piniella] just said yesterday is hot and today a day game, he just wanted to give me two days."

Soriano's power numbers have been down since a hot May when the left fielder blasted six home runs with nine doubles and slugged .626. In June, Soriano slugged .468, dropped to .450 in July and is slugging just .341 in August.

After four games off while on the bereavement list, Derrek Lee has hit home runs in consecutive games against St. Louis and Piniella believes some rest for the veteran Soriano can have a similar effect.

"You saw what the rest did for Derrek," Piniella said. "A couple days off, I think, will help Soriano."

Cubs vie for first series win since mid-July
ST. LOUIS — The Cubs have a chance to do something Sunday they haven't managed to accomplish since mid-July: win a series.

The North Siders have dropped their past five series and went 3-14 over that span. The last time Chicago won a series was a three game set against St. Louis July 23-25.

With Ryan Dempster taking the mound against Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse — making his first start since May — the odds would appear to be in the Cubs' favor.

"You know, any time you win a series, especially against a team like St. Louis in your own division, that are battling for the postseason," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "We got Dempster going and he has been pitching well … hopefully we can win this series and get on a bit of a roll."

Tidbits
The Cubs have not won consecutive games since taking two in a row from the Cardinals July 23-24. … After going hitless on Saturday, Kosuke Fukudome remains one hit away from reaching 1,500 in his combined Japanese and Major League careers. … Courtesy of Cubs media relations: Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro have combined for 64 extra-base hits. Only the Marlins' rookie duo of Gaby Sanchez and Mike Stanton have more with 73.

Cubs remove Lee with lower back stiffness

Coleman replaces Diamond in Cubs' rotation

Cubs vie for first series win since mid-July

Tidbits

ST. LOUIS — Alfonso Soriano's name was absent from the lineup card for the second day in a row Sunday, but both Cubs manager Lou Piniella and Soriano said it was for normal rest and had nothing to do with injury.

It was the second straight day game at Busch Stadium, with the infamous St. Louis heat baking the field.

"My body feels 100 percent. There is not a problem with my body," Soriano said.

"[Piniella] just said yesterday is hot and today a day game, he just wanted to give me two days."

Soriano's power numbers have been down since a hot May when the left fielder blasted six home runs with nine doubles and slugged .626. In June, Soriano slugged .468, dropped to .450 in July and is slugging just .341 in August.

After four games off while on the bereavement list, Derrek Lee has hit home runs in consecutive games against St. Louis and Piniella believes some rest for the veteran Soriano can have a similar effect.

"You saw what the rest did for Derrek," Piniella said. "A couple days off, I think, will help Soriano."
Cubs remove Lee with lower back stiffness
ST. LOUIS — After blasting solo home runs in his first two at-bats Sunday, Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee was removed from the game with lower back stiffness.

According to initial reports, the injury will be day-to-day.

Lee was replaced by Tyler Colvin, and Xavier Nady moved from the outfield to first base in the fifth inning. Lee struck out looking in his last at-bat.

After spending four days on the bereavement list, Lee had been on a hot streak for the series in St. Louis. In the three games, Lee had blasted four home runs and a double to go with four RBIs.

Coleman replaces Diamond in Cubs' rotation
ST. LOUIS — Cubs pitcher Thomas Diamond was given a three-start test to keep his job in the Chicago starting rotation.

He didn't pass.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced Sunday that Diamond's turn in the rotation Wednesday was being handed off to Casey Coleman. Diamond struggled in all three starts he has made this season, giving up a total 12 earned runs in 13 innings. He made it through only four innings against the Cardinals on Friday and lasted only three innings against the Reds.

"We are going to make a change," Piniella said. "We are going to pitch Coleman. And Diamond will go to the bullpen and pitch long relief."

Coleman pitched two scoreless innings of relief in Diamond's last start and struck out three batters. Piniella said Friday he liked how he looked and after talking with pitching coach Larry Rothschild, decided to give Coleman a shot.

Cubs vie for first series win since mid-July
ST. LOUIS — The Cubs have a chance to do something Sunday they haven't managed to accomplish since mid-July: win a series.

The North Siders have dropped their past five series and went 3-14 over that span. The last time Chicago won a series was a three game set against St. Louis July 23-25.

With Ryan Dempster taking the mound against Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse — making his first start since May — the odds would appear to be in the Cubs' favor.

"You know, any time you win a series, especially against a team like St. Louis in your own division, that are battling for the postseason," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "We got Dempster going and he has been pitching well … hopefully we can win this series and get on a bit of a roll."

Tidbits
The Cubs have not won consecutive games since taking two in a row from the Cardinals July 23-24. … After going hitless on Saturday, Kosuke Fukudome remains one hit away from reaching 1,500 in his combined Japanese and Major League careers. … Courtesy of Cubs media relations: Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro have combined for 64 extra-base hits. Only the Marlins' rookie duo of Gaby Sanchez and Mike Stanton have more with 73.

SAN FRANCISCO — Acting Cubs manager Alan Trammell has been very accurate in his prognostications this week. He predicted the team would make some moves, and the next day, Mike Fontenot was dealt to the Giants.

He also hinted the Cubs had a chance to beat the Giants' Tim Lincecum, and they did. Before Thursday's game, Trammell said the Cubs had a tough task against Matt Cain.

"We've got our hands full today," Trammell said.

He was right. What Trammell didn't forecast, or probably hoped to avoid, were more errors in the field and starter Randy Wells' meltdown.

Pat Burrell hit two home runs, including his sixth career grand slam, and pinch-hitter Andres Torres hit a walk-off RBI single with one out in the ninth to lift the Giants to an 8-7 victory over the Cubs on Thursday.

It's another one-run loss for the Cubs, the 42nd this year, most in the Majors. They're now 13-29, and the 29 losses also lead the Majors.

"It's not fun at all," Chicago's Marlon Byrd said. "You get sick and tired of losing. One-run games, 10-run games, it just gets old."

With the game tied at 7 in the Giants' ninth against Andrew Cashner (1-5), Aaron Rowand was safe on a broken-bat infield hit, making a headfirst slide into first. He moved up on Freddy Sanchez's sacrifice. Aubrey Huff was intentionally walked and Buster Posey unintentionally walked to load the bases for Torres, who singled over Byrd in center to hand the Cubs their 14th loss in the last 17 games.

"I just tried to stay patient in that at-bat," Torres said. "I just tried to see a pitch and tried to hit something in the air."

It worked. Brian Wilson (3-1) picked up the win in relief. Cain struck out nine over six innings, giving up three runs on eight hits. For a change, the Cubs did score against the right-hander. Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro each singled to start the first, and two outs later, both scored on Xavier Nady's double to left. That snapped Cain's scoreless-innings streak against the Cubs at 23, which extended over three starts. The last time he gave up an earned run to Chicago was Aug. 23, 2007.

Pablo Sandoval tripled with one out in the Giants' second, the ball hitting the base of the outfield wall and rolling out of reach of Kosuke Fukudome, and scored on Juan Uribe's single.

Wells helped himself in the fourth by hitting a two-out RBI single to go ahead 3-1. But things turned in a five-pitch span in the Giants' fourth as Burrell led off with his first homer of the game and second in as many games, and Sandoval connected on his seventh homer four pitches later. Sandoval's was the Giants' 54th splash hit, landing in McCovey Cove and within reach of an enterprising kayaker.

"Terrible," Wells said of his outing. "I've got no explanation for you. It's pretty cut and dry. I didn't make pitches, behind a lot of guys, and when it came time to execute, I didn't execute. You put yourself in a jam like I did in the fifth and then make a pitch and you're on pins and needles and trying to be fine and perfect with everything."

The fifth was more costly to the Cubs than the ninth. Rowand was safe on a throwing error by third baseman Jeff Baker and then stole second, sliding under a missed tag by Castro, who dropped the ball.

"Burrell was key for them in this series," Trammell said. "But you cannot give Major League teams extra outs. Can't make a play — can't make two plays, to be honest."

One out later, Wells walked two batters to load the bases for Burrell's grand slam, his 10th homer of the season. It's the first time Wells has given up three homers in one game.

The problem wasn't mechanical but mental.

"It's just a bad game," Wells said. "Poorly executed and no feeling sorry for yourself. Cut and dry, it's pitiful.

"I can't keep putting the team in a hole like that," he said. "It's not professional, it's not acceptable. Just chalk it up to a bad day and move on."

The Cubs did rally. Fukudome hit an RBI double in the seventh. In the eighth, Koyie Hill added another RBI double, another run scored on a groundout by Colvin, and Castro tied the game with his fourth hit, a RBI single.

Trammell turns the Cubs back over to Lou Piniella on Friday when he joins the team in St. Louis to start a three-game series against the National League Central leaders. Since Piniella's been gone, the Cubs have traded Fontenot and added Micah Hoffpauir plus rookies Marcos Mateo, Welington Castillo and Darwin Barney this week. Barney is the 11th rookie on the 25-man roster and entered as a defensive sub in the ninth.

"I'll be very glad to see [Piniella]," Trammell said. "He feels like we're in good hands. Obviously, we haven't done that well but I think he's comfortable knowing we did our best and we did.

"The effort level is there," he said, "but we have to clean some things up. It's more than just talking — we've talked about it. Guys have to go out there and do it. For some reason, this year in particular, we've had more than our share of mistakes that have come back to cost us."

The Cubs will have first baseman Derrek Lee back Friday after missing time to be with his grandfather, who is ill. However, Aramis Ramirez, sidelined with a sore left oblique, may not be ready.

One thing that hasn't changed, Trammell said, is the players have not given up on the season.

"There's no crying here and I have to say, you've seen the effort," Trammell said. "It's been there. I want to make sure that's loud and clear — that's the way it's supposed to be."

Barney gets 'nice surprise' with callup

Trammell ready to hand back managing reins

Hitting coach feels good about Cubs offense

SAN FRANCISCO — Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez was not in the lineup Thursday, still bothered by a sore left side. His status is day to day.

Ramirez said he hurt his side when he dove for a ball Monday against the Giants. He can feel some discomfort when he's swinging or throwing.

"Those injuries there are ones you have to be cautious with," acting Cubs manager Alan Trammell said.

Ramirez said he expected to be back in the lineup Friday when the Cubs open a three-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis.
Barney gets 'nice surprise' with callup
SAN FRANCISCO — Ryne Sandberg called Darwin Barney's wife's cell phone Wednesday but she wasn't sure who it was.

"She was like, 'Ryne who?'" Barney said, "and he said, 'Sandberg. Let me talk to Darwin.'"

And that's how the infielder got the news that he had been called up from Triple-A Iowa to the big leagues.

"I almost needed him to say it again because I wasn't expecting it," Barney said.

The infielder takes Mike Fontenot's spot on the Cubs roster after Fontenot was dealt to the Giants on Wednesday for a Minor League outfielder. Barney walked into the visitor's clubhouse at AT&T Park around 11 a.m. PT with his suitcase, bat bag and duffel bag. He didn't mind the 4 a.m. CT wakeup call. It happens all the time in the Minor Leagues.

"This is something you work for your whole life," Barney said. "You don't think it's inevitable because it's not easy. The timing has to be right and the club has to want you and all these different things. You can't take anything for granted but keep working hard and hope it will pay off."

He changed into a Cubs T-shirt and shorts, made the rounds of the clubhouse to shake hands with the other players, then grabbed a donut. Acting Cubs manager Alan Trammell stopped by and Barney asked if he was in the lineup. Not yet.

"This was a nice surprise," Barney said.

Barney was leading all Triple-A hitters with 142 hits this season. He was batting .297 for Iowa with 24 doubles, four triples, two home runs, 71 runs scored and 49 RBIs. He has primarily played shortstop, starting at second base on Opening Day and again one week ago.

The second time he started at second, Barney thought there might be a chance he could get a call. He decided to get some help at second and spent more than an hour with Iowa manager and Hall of Fame second baseman Sandberg.

"The big difference is turning double plays," Barney said. "That's the one thing I feel I'm working on and I need to polish up. Whatever they want me to do, that's what I'll do."

Barney and Sandberg have moved up together through the Cubs' Minor League system, beginning in Class A Peoria in 2007.

"For me, he has a lot to do with my development," Barney said. "The way he comes off as a manager and makes the clubhouse feel good … guys just want to play hard every day. You know what he expects and you know he wants to compete as much or more than you. That's his nature."

Trammell ready to hand back managing reins
SAN FRANCISCO — In the seven games Alan Trammell has been the Cubs' acting manager, he's had to deal with an abrupt trade of two players, a heart problem with a starting pitcher, some lopsided losses, another trade and the addition of rookies.

Lou Piniella returns to the Cubs on Friday in St. Louis after spending the week taking care of his ailing mother. Trammell has had enough headaches as a big league manager in his stint — or has he?

"Any time you're managing a game, you go with what you have and that's the way it is," Trammell said. "What are your options? You take over on the day there's the Trading Deadline and you lose two players and [Wednesday] we trade somebody who goes across the road.

"Then, with [Aramis Ramirez] going down — there's no crying here and I have to say, you've seen the effort," Trammell said. "It's been there. I want to make sure that's loud and clear — that's the way it's supposed to be."

Ramirez missed his second game Thursday because of a sore left side. On July 31, when Trammell covered for Piniella so he could attend his uncle's funeral, the Cubs dealt Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot to the Dodgers for infielder Blake DeWitt. The next day, starter Carlos Silva had to come out of his game after four batters because of an abnormal heart rate.

On Wednesday, infielder Mike Fontenot was dealt 500 feet from the Cubs' clubhouse to the Giants'.

Trammell, 52, isn't new to managing. He was at the Tigers' helm from 2003-05. After these seven games with the Cubs, does he still want to manage?

"It's still the same," Trammell said, sitting in the empty stands at AT&T Park to talk to reporters. "I know what my role is and I know this is temporary. I'm really coaching, that's what I'm doing.

"When it's in your lap that day, it's different," he said. "But for a little taste, I can do it. I've done it before. It's not like 'Whoa, it's the first time it's happened.'"

He leans on pitching coach Larry Rothschild for help. Rothschild also has managing experience with Tampa Bay from 1998-2001.

"We talk and he'll make a suggestion and I'll make a suggestion, and boom, that's how we do it," Trammell said.

He's eager to have Piniella back.

"I look forward to seeing Lou again," Trammell said. "The four years I've been with him, it's been a great experience. That's the truth and I've enjoyed it very much."

When the Cubs do face the Cardinals, they will be without Tony La Russa, who was served a two-game suspension following the fracas with the Reds on Tuesday. That won't change things, Trammell said.

"Whoever is managing the ship over there, as I've described how I've done, it'll be the same thing," Trammell said. "They've been sitting there next to [La Russa] for years and they know his style and how he likes to do it. If it was for a month, that's a different story."

What was his take on the dust-up between the two National League Central rivals?

"My thoughts about Brandon Phillips and making those statements, he's trying to fire his guys up and he'll stand by his comments," Trammell said of Cincinnati's second baseman. "I don't think the word he used — I think he has respect for [Cardinals]. I would use a different choice of words. He stood up to it; he's a good player."

Phillips also said he loves the Cubs.

"I don't think so," Trammell said, chuckling.

Hitting coach feels good about Cubs offense
SAN FRANCISCO — Expect a much improved Cubs offense next season. Hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo sees progress.

"I feel really good about it," Jaramillo said Thursday. "I see some strides that all these kids are making, obviously some more than others.

"If you look down the road, I see a lot of good things happening and a lot of positive things with guys who are going to be here and are young," he said. "We just keep moving forward and keep working and trying to get across what we want them to learn."

The reason next year might be more productive for the Cubs hitters is because they will have had a season to get used to Jaramillo's program, which includes working the count so the hitter is swinging at his pitch, not the pitcher's pitch.

"We've got some great innings where we've gotten 20, 30 pitches and that's what you want so you get in their bullpen, especially if it's their ace out there," Jaramillo said. "You always hope to get better at it."

The Cubs took that approach Thursday against San Franciso's Matt Cain as six batters went to the plate in the first against the right-hander. Xavier Nady hit a two-run double and Cain threw 31 pitches that inning.

Jaramillo has seen quality at-bats by rookies Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin, who both got singles in the first.

"Castro does it because of the fact that at first they were throwing him a lot of fastballs and then they started throwing a lot of changeups and he was swinging early in the count," Jaramillo said. "The adjustments he's made now is he's starting to hit offspeed pitches and now he can trust himself more to see more pitches."

Colvin connected on a curve from Barry Zito on Wednesday for his 18th home run, tops among all rookies. Jaramillo said Colvin still has work to do.

"He's kind of in and out, but he understands and he's mentally tough and he keeps working," Jaramillo said. "It's a stepping stone for him. He's just a rookie and he's going to get better, no doubt about it, because he has the fortitude and strength to want to be a good hitter."

Sore Aramis expects to return Friday

Trammell ready to hand back managing reins

Hitting coach feels good about Cubs offense

SAN FRANCISCO — Ryne Sandberg called Darwin Barney's wife's cell phone Wednesday but she wasn't sure who it was.

"She was like, 'Ryne who?'" Barney said, "and he said, 'Sandberg. Let me talk to Darwin.'"

And that's how the infielder got the news that he had been called up from Triple-A Iowa to the big leagues.

"I almost needed him to say it again because I wasn't expecting it," Barney said.

The infielder takes Mike Fontenot's spot on the Cubs roster after Fontenot was dealt to the Giants on Wednesday for a Minor League outfielder. Barney walked into the visitor's clubhouse at AT&T Park around 11 a.m. PT with his suitcase, bat bag and duffel bag. He didn't mind the 4 a.m. CT wakeup call. It happens all the time in the Minor Leagues.

"This is something you work for your whole life," Barney said. "You don't think it's inevitable because it's not easy. The timing has to be right and the club has to want you and all these different things. You can't take anything for granted but keep working hard and hope it will pay off."

He changed into a Cubs T-shirt and shorts, made the rounds of the clubhouse to shake hands with the other players, then grabbed a donut. Acting Cubs manager Alan Trammell stopped by and Barney asked if he was in the lineup. Not yet.

"This was a nice surprise," Barney said.

Barney was leading all Triple-A hitters with 142 hits this season. He was batting .297 for Iowa with 24 doubles, four triples, two home runs, 71 runs scored and 49 RBIs. He has primarily played shortstop, starting at second base on Opening Day and again one week ago.

The second time he started at second, Barney thought there might be a chance he could get a call. He decided to get some help at second and spent more than an hour with Iowa manager and Hall of Fame second baseman Sandberg.

"The big difference is turning double plays," Barney said. "That's the one thing I feel I'm working on and I need to polish up. Whatever they want me to do, that's what I'll do."

Barney and Sandberg have moved up together through the Cubs' Minor League system, beginning in Class A Peoria in 2007.

"For me, he has a lot to do with my development," Barney said. "The way he comes off as a manager and makes the clubhouse feel good … guys just want to play hard every day. You know what he expects and you know he wants to compete as much or more than you. That's his nature."
Sore Aramis expects to return Friday
SAN FRANCISCO — Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez was not in the lineup Thursday, still bothered by a sore left side. His status is day to day.

Ramirez said he hurt his side when he dove for a ball Monday against the Giants. He can feel some discomfort when he's swinging or throwing.

"Those injuries there are ones you have to be cautious with," acting Cubs manager Alan Trammell said.

Ramirez said he expected to be back in the lineup Friday when the Cubs open a three-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

Trammell ready to hand back managing reins
SAN FRANCISCO — In the seven games Alan Trammell has been the Cubs' acting manager, he's had to deal with an abrupt trade of two players, a heart problem with a starting pitcher, some lopsided losses, another trade and the addition of rookies.

Lou Piniella returns to the Cubs on Friday in St. Louis after spending the week taking care of his ailing mother. Trammell has had enough headaches as a big league manager in his stint — or has he?

"Any time you're managing a game, you go with what you have and that's the way it is," Trammell said. "What are your options? You take over on the day there's the Trading Deadline and you lose two players and [Wednesday] we trade somebody who goes across the road.

"Then, with [Aramis Ramirez] going down — there's no crying here and I have to say, you've seen the effort," Trammell said. "It's been there. I want to make sure that's loud and clear — that's the way it's supposed to be."

Ramirez missed his second game Thursday because of a sore left side. On July 31, when Trammell covered for Piniella so he could attend his uncle's funeral, the Cubs dealt Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot to the Dodgers for infielder Blake DeWitt. The next day, starter Carlos Silva had to come out of his game after four batters because of an abnormal heart rate.

On Wednesday, infielder Mike Fontenot was dealt 500 feet from the Cubs' clubhouse to the Giants'.

Trammell, 52, isn't new to managing. He was at the Tigers' helm from 2003-05. After these seven games with the Cubs, does he still want to manage?

"It's still the same," Trammell said, sitting in the empty stands at AT&T Park to talk to reporters. "I know what my role is and I know this is temporary. I'm really coaching, that's what I'm doing.

"When it's in your lap that day, it's different," he said. "But for a little taste, I can do it. I've done it before. It's not like 'Whoa, it's the first time it's happened.'"

He leans on pitching coach Larry Rothschild for help. Rothschild also has managing experience with Tampa Bay from 1998-2001.

"We talk and he'll make a suggestion and I'll make a suggestion, and boom, that's how we do it," Trammell said.

He's eager to have Piniella back.

"I look forward to seeing Lou again," Trammell said. "The four years I've been with him, it's been a great experience. That's the truth and I've enjoyed it very much."

When the Cubs do face the Cardinals, they will be without Tony La Russa, who was served a two-game suspension following the fracas with the Reds on Tuesday. That won't change things, Trammell said.

"Whoever is managing the ship over there, as I've described how I've done, it'll be the same thing," Trammell said. "They've been sitting there next to [La Russa] for years and they know his style and how he likes to do it. If it was for a month, that's a different story."

What was his take on the dust-up between the two National League Central rivals?

"My thoughts about Brandon Phillips and making those statements, he's trying to fire his guys up and he'll stand by his comments," Trammell said of Cincinnati's second baseman. "I don't think the word he used — I think he has respect for [Cardinals]. I would use a different choice of words. He stood up to it; he's a good player."

Phillips also said he loves the Cubs.

"I don't think so," Trammell said, chuckling.

Hitting coach feels good about Cubs offense
SAN FRANCISCO — Expect a much improved Cubs offense next season. Hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo sees progress.

"I feel really good about it," Jaramillo said Thursday. "I see some strides that all these kids are making, obviously some more than others.

"If you look down the road, I see a lot of good things happening and a lot of positive things with guys who are going to be here and are young," he said. "We just keep moving forward and keep working and trying to get across what we want them to learn."

The reason next year might be more productive for the Cubs hitters is because they will have had a season to get used to Jaramillo's program, which includes working the count so the hitter is swinging at his pitch, not the pitcher's pitch.

"We've got some great innings where we've gotten 20, 30 pitches and that's what you want so you get in their bullpen, especially if it's their ace out there," Jaramillo said. "You always hope to get better at it."

The Cubs took that approach Thursday against San Franciso's Matt Cain as six batters went to the plate in the first against the right-hander. Xavier Nady hit a two-run double and Cain threw 31 pitches that inning.

Jaramillo has seen quality at-bats by rookies Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin, who both got singles in the first.

"Castro does it because of the fact that at first they were throwing him a lot of fastballs and then they started throwing a lot of changeups and he was swinging early in the count," Jaramillo said. "The adjustments he's made now is he's starting to hit offspeed pitches and now he can trust himself more to see more pitches."

Colvin connected on a curve from Barry Zito on Wednesday for his 18th home run, tops among all rookies. Jaramillo said Colvin still has work to do.

"He's kind of in and out, but he understands and he's mentally tough and he keeps working," Jaramillo said. "It's a stepping stone for him. He's just a rookie and he's going to get better, no doubt about it, because he has the fortitude and strength to want to be a good hitter."

CHICAGO — Reds manager Dusty Baker said Cubs counterpart Lou Piniella is leaving the game the right way, on his own terms.

"Nobody has to tell you when it's time," Baker said Friday. "You know when it's time. I'm sure he probably wants to enjoy the rest of his life and do some things, especially in the summertime. We all think about it. Summertime is usually not our time. There are people surprised you have to go to the ballpark on July 4, Memorial Day, Easter."

Baker and Piniella have played against each other in the World Series, they've squared off as managers, and they both have managed the Cubs. Piniella recommended Baker to the Giants.

"When I was a coach, he came up to me one day and said, 'For the life of me, I don't understand why you haven't had the opportunity to manage,'" said Baker, sitting in the visiting manager's office at Wrigley Field before his National League Central-leading Reds faced Piniella's Cubs in the first of a three-game series. "I said, 'Thank you.' Me and Lou have always had a good relationship."

Baker isn't the only coach Piniella has recommended. He also talked to Pat Gillick about Cito Gaston, recommending the former hitting coach for the Toronto job in the '80s.

"Dusty's a good baseball guy," Piniella said. "He knows the game, he's a successful player, he's had success as a manager. I thought he'd do a good job and he has."

Baker's contract expires at the end of the season but he hinted there have been talks with Reds management about a possible extension. That's not on Piniella's mind.

"I just wish every person happiness when they do walk away from the job — no remorse, no looking back," Baker said. "Just think of the good moments you had while you were here."