Trammel gives Theriot pointers

LOS ANGELES -- Immediately after Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Dodgers, Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot was sitting at a computer screen with bench coach and former all-star shortstop Alan Trammell.

The two were studying Theriot's technique at second base on throws from the catcher. Twice Saturday, Theriot bobbled or dropped throws from catcher Geovany Soto that allowed basestealers to be safe.

"You either straddle the base or you get in front of the base when you catch it," Theriot said. "I think had I gotten in front of the base, I don't even know if I would have caught it or gotten a glove on it. It's just kind of a tossup how you do it. I'm going to try some different things, I think, but I've done it a certain way for a long time, and it's never been an issue."

The big play came in the seventh, when Juan Pierre singled with one out and the Cubs ahead 3-2. With Andre Ethier up, Pierre took off. Soto's throw was up the line toward right field, and Theriot dropped the ball as he attempted the tag. The Dodgers went on to score 5, which included a throwing error by Aramis Ramirez on Ethier's infield single.

"Just different techniques and stuff that we talked about," Trammell said. "I would classify it as a little different technique. When you look at tape, you get a little different view, and I'm not sure if exactly what I was talking about for him on that particular play would have applied because the throw actually was further up the line than I originally thought."

Theriot tends to straddle the bag, but he may practice between innings taking throws in front.

"Against a guy like Pierre, who's a basestealer, you're taught to straddle the bag, and that's good," Trammell said. "But certain times, with those guys, because the play develops a little quicker, you might put your left foot (against the bag) and pinch it. If you see it's a good throw, your foot can jump over the bag. But if it's an off-throw, it allows you a little more maneuverability."

Road blues: The Cubs fell to 13-16 on the road with Saturday's loss.

"Sometimes you get into these things where nothing goes right, and everything goes right for the opposing team," said manager Lou Piniella. "It happens. It's happened to us. The only thing is, it's happened to us more on the road. At home, we've stayed away from this. On the road, we've had adventures at times that make you scratch your head a little bit."