Cubs' Quade has no need to name an ace

In the never-ending debate over who the "ace" of the Cubs' pitching staff is, Ryan Dempster took his turn Tuesday night at Petco Park in San Diego.

One night after Carlos Zambrano seemed to take offense at being called "the former ace," Dempster made it 2 wins in a row over the Padres, as the Cubs earned a 5-2 victory. Alfonso Soriano hit a 2-run homer in the sixth and a solo blast in the eighth. Carlos Marmol posted his 36th save.

As far as manager Mike Quade is concerned, just deal the cards and forget about the "aces."

"Those kind of descriptions, I have no time for whatsoever," Quade told reporters. "Does ace mean this moment? Does it mean entire year? Does it mean body of work? Names like that mean nothing to me.

"It makes for interesting discussion, but not for me. I just want people to perform well. Just show me. I'm a Missouri guy. Just show me."

Actually, Quade is a Chicago-area guy, a native of Evanston and a graduate of Prospect High School. He seems to have energized the Cubs after taking over from Lou Piniella last month. He's also trying to keep the job beyond this year.

He was asked how he could do that.

"Just my job for the next week, and that's the God's honest truth," he responded. "I'm dying to play well these next three days and then go to Houston and play well and take a breather for a week or so and see what happens this winter. The season's not over until it's over. It's not over for the players, whether you're playing for a pennant or doing what we're doing. We have to make sure none of us quit, none of us get too comfortable. I've said all along, I'm motivated by fear of failure, and we'll just keep grinding right on through Sunday."

• Quade said rookie right-hander Casey Coleman would start Friday's series opener at Houston. Zambrano and Dempster will work the final two games to wrap up the season. Coleman beat out Jeff Samardzija, who will be in the bullpen.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Bruce Miles' game tracker</p>

<p class="News">Cubs 5, Padres 2</p>

<p class="News"><b>Trying to hang on:</b> Rookie shortstop Starlin Castro entered the game with his batting average an even .300. Castro struck out his first two times up before getting an infield single in the sixth. </p>

<p class="News"><b>Been awhile:</b> Alfonso Soriano's 2-run homer in the sixth was his 23rd of the season, but his first since Sept. 3 against the Mets. He quickly added No. 24 in the eighth.</p>