Soriano not thrilled with batting second
MESA, Ariz. -- Lou Piniella looked like a genius in the first inning of the Cubs' 3-2 win over San Diego on Thursday, when leadoff hitter Ryan Theriot opened with a single and stole second base.
The Cubs couldn't do much with it, as new No. 2 man Alfonso Soriano grounded out, with Derrek Lee following with a groundout and Aramis Ramirez a flyout.
"We're going to stay in that configuration for a bit and take a good look at it," Piniella said.
Piniella's latest lineup machinations feature Soriano and Theriot flip-flopping and Kosuke Fukudome moving from second to fifth.
Soriano always voices support for his manager, but he clearly prefers to lead off, the spot where he has put up his best numbers.
"I never batted second in the big leagues, but the first at-bat was with somebody on base," said Soriano, who was 1-for-3. "I didn't feel very comfortable. But it's the first at-bat. I will have to make a couple little adjustments batting second because I never batted second."
Theriot seemed to view the move enthusiastically. He was 2-for-4 and is now batting .389 this spring.
"We'll see what happens," he said. "I've said it a million times: I really don't care where I am. My approach stays the same. To be able to get on base for Sori, who's liable to hit the ball out of the park any time or hit something in the gap and possibly be scoring on that is always good for the team."
Hart-felt sentiments: You can almost pencil right-hander Kevin Hart into the Cubs' bullpen.
"He's started to separate himself from the rest of the pitchers in the role we're looking at him in," Lou Piniella said. "He's looked comfortable, he's throwing the ball well, he knows how to pitch."
Hart, who impressed the Cubs late last season enough to make the playoff roster, is taking nothing for granted.
"When any manager says something like that, it's nice to hear," Hart said. "It's reassuring, but at the same time, there are still two weeks left to go, and a lot can happen.
"I knew this situation. It was throw well or go back to Iowa. That's been my mind-set here. You've got a lot of good arms competing for that last spot. No matter what happens, I'll be happy as long as I'm here."
If Hart sticks in the bullpen, that leaves one spot for righties Tim Lahey and Jose Ascanio or lefties Carmen Pignatiello or Neal Cotts to grab.
Throw strikes: Lou Piniella voiced concern about closer candidate Carlos Marmol not throwing strikes in the ninth inning Thursday, when he walked two.
"He's not commanding his fastball very well," Piniella said. "It's really riding out of the strike zone. Larry (pitching coach Rothschild) has been working with him to try to keep him on top of the ball."
More time for Pie: Center fielder Felix Pie will not play until Sunday, according to Lou Piniella. Pie had outpatient surgery Monday to alleviate "testicular torsion."
"He could probably go Saturday, but we don't want him sitting on the bus for two hours," Piniella said, referring to a trip to Tucson. "I don't think it would be the proper thing to do."
Cubs 3, Padres 2
Cubs' record: 6-10
At the plate: Mark DeRosa doubled, singled twice and walked. Ryan Theriot, batting leadoff, singled in the first and had an RBI single in the seventh. Alfonso Soriano, hitting second, singled and walked. Derrek Lee went 0-for-4, and he's hitting .107 (3-for-28).
On the mound: Jason Marquis struggled at times but pitched 4 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits. He walked two and struck out two and got help from a second-inning double play. Sean Marshall gave up a homer to Marshall McDougall in the fifth. Rule 5 man Tim Lahey worked a scoreless inning. Carlos Marmol struggled in a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit and 2 walks.
Next: The Cubs play the Angels in Mesa (3:05 p.m., Comcast SportsNet). Ryan Dempster pitches for the Cubs against Ervin Santana. Jon Lieber will follow Dempster as the Cubs' second pitcher.
-- Bruce Miles