Soto's catching on

One day he's continuing a string of 8 straight strikeouts.

A few days later he's belting a pair of homers and driving in 6 runs to lead the Cubs to a romp over Milwaukee.

What a wacky finish to April it was for Cubs rookie catcher Geovany Soto.

"It just shows how hard it is to play this game," said backup catcher Henry Blanco, who also serves as Soto's unofficial mentor. "That's really good for him to not let the (strikeout string) bother him.

"He's taking things the way they're supposed to be taken."

And Soto has given the Cubs' offense quite a boost, finishing April with 20 RBI, a Cubs rookie record.

His May began with a bang as well, as Soto survived an impact with the semi-truck that is Prince Fielder in a play at the plate in the sixth inning, providing a huge lift not only for starter Carlos Zambrano but the big crowd at Wrigley as well.

"It was huge. It saved a run," Soto said.

Hail to the Chiefs: Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg will return to the Wrigley Field dugout as a minor-league manager July 29 when his Peoria Chiefs host the Kane County Cougars in an official Midwest League contest.

The game, which will begin at 7:05 p.m., is believed to be the first minor-league contest in the ballpark's 94-year history.

"It will be the chance of a lifetime for some of these players to come here and actually play a game at Wrigley Field," Sandberg said. "I can't imagine what that will be like for them."

Tickets will be available today at 9 a.m. on www.cubs.com.

Murton gone: With the activation of outfielder Alfonso Soriano from the 15-day disabled list Thursday, the Cubs' corresponding move was to option outfielder Matt Murton to Class AAA Iowa.

Murton batted .214 (3-for-14) with 4 RBI in eight games with the Cubs.

Scouting report

Cubs vs. St Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium

TV: Channel 9 today; Channel 32 Saturday and ESPN Sunday

Radio: WGN 720-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Rich Hill (1-0) vs. Adam Wainwright (3-1) today at 7:15 p.m.; Ted Lilly (1-4) vs. Kyle Lohse (3-0) Saturday at 2:45 p.m.; Jason Marquis (1-1) vs. Todd Wellemeyer (2-0) Sunday at 7:05 p.m.

At a glance: An already intense series jacks it up a notch this weekend with first place in the division on the line and two of three games on national television. Since the new Busch Stadium opened, the Cardinals are 8-10 there against the Cubs.

Next: Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park Monday-Wednesday

-- Mike Spellman