Soriano tunes up for playoffs

CINCINNATI -- Consider Alfonso Soriano ready for the playoffs.

Preferring to play and get in a few at-bats rather than take Sunday's season finale off, Soriano went 3-for-3 with a home run, double and 3 RBI before being removed for a pinch runner in the fourth inning of the Cubs' 8-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

"If I don't play for three or four days, I know I'm going to lose a little bit of my hitting power," Soriano said.

Soriano led off with a home run for the seventh time this month, extending his major league record. It was his 14th homer in September.

Soriano's leadoff home runs -- 12 for the season -- have become a dangerous weapon for the Cubs.

"He's our sparkplug," said teammate Derrek Lee.

Soriano said he goes up to the plate in the first inning with the same approach he uses during any other at-bat.

"Every at-bat is the same, first at-bat, last-bat," Soriano said. "I'm very aggressive at home plate and I always put in my mind to swing at strikes because when I swing at strikes, I think I have a very good chance to make contact and hit the ball very good."

Cubs manager Lou Piniella has been watching Soriano hit leadoff home runs for years. Sunday's was the 44th of Soriano's career, fourth most in major league history.

"He's done that throughout his career," Piniella said. "You don't see too many teams with a leadoff hitter that's hit (33) home runs.

"It gives you a quick lead is what it does. At playoff time I don't think it'll rattle the pitcher, but during the season it can."

Soriano admits he is still not completely recovered from the strained right quad that landed him on the disabled list in August.

"My leg is not 100 percent and I don't have the same power in my legs, but it's good to play like I am," Soriano said.

Piniella hopes to have Soriano to run a little more in the playoffs. Because of his various leg problems, Soriano stole only 19 bases this season, down considerably from the 41 he had last year with Washington.

"I'm going to talk to him about it," Piniella said. "He tried to steal in Florida and he got thrown out, but the catcher (Miguel) Olivo throws pretty good. I would think that we can look for him, if he gets a good jump and the pitcher give him an opportunity, to run and that he will run.

"Remember, there's nothing to save yourself for now."