How to get Howry on track?
MIAMI - Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Friday that he and pitching coach Larry Rothschild are doing all they can to get beleaguered relief pitcher Bob Howry back on track.
Howry gave up a 3-run homer Thursday to the Braves' Jeff Francoeur to turn an 11-4 lead to 11-7 and make the game interesting. The Cubs eventually won 11-7 but Howry's inconsistency has been troublesome.
"Location has been a problem, and at times, the ball doesn't have that finishing kick it's had in the past," Piniella said. "But location has been a big a problem as anything. Larry and I have talked about it quite a few times. You know, he just depends on his fastball so much. Maybe mix in a little split-finger once in awhile or something. I don't know.
"We've tried to rest him a little bit. We've tried keeping him pitching regular. We've tried to overuse him a little bit, and he's shown at times where, 'Here he comes.' And then he seems to struggle. I hope he can finish strong. He's an excellent young man, a no-excuse guy. You like to see people like that do well."
Upcoming attractions: Right-hander Jason Marquis will be available out of the bullpen tonight, according to Lou Piniella.
The Cubs will bypass Marquis during the upcoming series against Cincinnati at Wrigley Field. Instead, they'll start Marquis next Friday at home against Washington.
Lou Piniella had toyed with bringing Marquis back on three days rest to pitch Sunday. Instead, Marquis will have to wait a whole lot longer, as the Cubs go with Rich Harden, Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano next Tuesday-Thursday against the Reds.
Look for first baseman Derrek Lee to get tonight off, with Daryle Ward playing first base. Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome didn't start Friday as Piniella rested him. He'll be back in the lineup tonight.
The Marshall plan: Lou Piniella is hoping for at least 5 innings or about 80 pitches tonight from lefty Sean Marshall, who gets a spot start. It's Marshall's first start since July 6, when he got the win in a 7-1 victory over the Cardinals.
No Ramirez: Third baseman Aramis Ramirez did not play Friday, one night after bruising his left hip diving awkwardly into home plate.
"The trainer said he was sore and left it at that," Lou Piniella said.
Ramirez is day to day.
This and that: Mark DeRosa's fourth-inning home run was his 14th of the year, establishing a new single-season personal high... Pitcher Carlos Zambrano extended his hitting streak to six games, also a single-season personal best... The Cubs' nine-game road winning streak is the franchise's best since the 1945 pennant-winning team won 12 in a row on the road.