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.