Throwing slump wears on Kendall
Jason Kendall is hoping for that one to get him going.
No, not a base hit. Kendall is hoping to gun down a runner attempting to steal a base against the Cubs.
Kendall, who did not start Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, entered the day just 1-for-45 in throwing out basestealers. Henry Blanco was 3-for-9.
Michael Barrett opened the season as the Cubs' No. 1 catcher, and he was 3-for-31. Koyie Hill was 3-for-11.
"It's the hardest throw in baseball to make," Kendall said. "I can launch the ball into center field with the best of them -- I always have been able to.
"My problem is just rushing, trying to be too quick. It is what it is. You've got to try to slow everything down and make the same throw every time. It's a lot easier said than done.
"It's kind of like hitting when you're in a funk. You make that one good throw, and you're good to go."
Cubs manager Lou Piniella agreed that throwing out basestealers is a cooperative effort among the catcher, first baseman and pitcher. In the first game of this series, Blanco threw out Jeff Kent.
In the second game, Matt Kemp and Juan Pierre stole bases for the Dodgers, and Cubs pitcher Steve Trachsel got Kemp off first base for a caught stealing.
"We try to pitch out from time to time," Piniella said. "Some teams run a little better than others. Our pitchers can be a little bit more aware."
A second guess: Lou Piniella has taken it easy on Alfonso Soriano after Soriano spent much of August on the disabled list with a quadriceps injury.
However, Piniella seemed to be second-guessing himself Wednesday about not sending Soriano from second base and Ryan Theriot from first with Derrek Lee up in Tuesday's first inning. Lee bounced into a 6-4-3 double play, and the Cubs didn't score.
"I think he's running much better," Piniella said of Soriano. "Last night, in that first inning, I probably got a little overprotective. We didn't send the runners on a 3-2 count to Derrek Lee. If I had to do it all over again, yeah, I would have. I know the results. But, yeah, I got overly protective with him."
Big Z doings: Lou Piniella had a chance Wednesday to talk with ace pitcher Carlos Zambrano, one day after Zambrano apologized for criticizing the Wrigley Field fans.
"I had a nice talk with Carlos, myself and Larry Rothschild," Piniella said, referring to the pitching coach. "I just told him to relax and pitch. We talked about quite a few things, but that's between us."
On Trachs for more: Steve Trachsel will start Sunday for the Cubs in Pittsburgh. Lefty Sean Marshall, whom Trachsel replaced in the rotation, was ready for bullpen duty beginning Wednesday.
"He pitched well last night," Piniella said of Trachsel. "I was pleased with his performance. He gave us an opportunity to win."
Piniella said Ted Lilly will pitch next Monday's makeup game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Marshall will join Lilly as a starter in the Sept. 15 day-night doubleheader at St. Louis.
"Giving Marshall a little bit of a breather will be good for him," Piniella said.
Lee honored: Derrek Lee is the Cubs' recipient of the 2007 Roberto Clemente Award. Lee is one of 30 player nominees for the national award, given annually to the player who combines outstanding skills on the field with work in the community.