Soriano keys power surge

Remember back to the start of the season, when Alfonso Soriano finished April with no home runs?

Now look at what he's doing.

Soriano continued his September to remember Saturday with 2 more homers and 5 RBI in the Cubs' 9-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

That makes 11 home runs this month for Soriano and 31 for the year when not long ago it seemed as if he might not even make it to 25.

"I think this is the best month I have had in my career," Soriano said.

Soriano is on his way to having one of the best Septembers in Cubs history. Only Ernie Banks hit more September homers (13 in 1957), with Sammy Sosa slugging 11 in 1998.

"It's unbelievable, just the way he's swinging the bat," said Rich Hill, Saturday's starting pitcher. "Just the way he's swinging the bat, so confident up there at the plate, it's something we're going to definitely need."

Nothing Soriano does at the plate surprises Mark DeRosa, who has seen this explosiveness before from his teammate when the two played together with the Texas Rangers.

"He is what he is," DeRosa said. "I played with him for two years in Texas; I played with him again this year. He's a guy who is probably one of the more exciting players in the game, if not the most exciting player in the game.

"He can really just change the game offensively. It's amazing the strength he possesses. He's got such a lightning bat. What he's done this month just speaks volumes for what he brings to the table."

With Soriano going 15-for-34 over the last eight games, and throwing in his power numbers, the Cubs have gone 6-2 as part of their 11-4 run since Sept. 8.

Since coming off the disabled list due to a right quad strain on Aug. 28, Soriano has 13 home runs in 25 games.

"I am feeling very comfortable now in September," Soriano said. "I feel comfortable so my mechanics are comfortable. I'm seeing the ball very good and my swing is good.

"I think everybody now knows we're close to making the playoffs and is concentrating a little more. Now the offense is feeling very, very good."

Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee have arrived at some sort of zone. Ramirez hit another home run Saturday and drove in 2 runs, giving him 100 for the season, while Lee homered to go with 3 singles.

"Our superstars are really playing well at the right time," DeRosa said.

Ramirez said Friday that as Soriano goes, so go the Cubs. Soriano returned the compliment Saturday.

"It's good to see Rammy hit the home runs and feel comfortable at home plate too," Soriano said.

"It's not about me or Soriano," said Ramirez. "We're winning at the right time."

Manager Lou Piniella would love to see the bats of his three big boppers stay red hot for at least the next week.

"At this time of the year you hope your big people get hot and carry you, and that's exactly what's happening," Piniella said. "It's coming at just the right time. These are big-game people."