Gaudin back on mound

Right-handed reliever Chad Gaudin returned to the Cubs' clubhouse Sunday morning, ready to pitch his way onto the postseason roster.

Gaudin hadn't appeared in a game since Aug. 29 because of lower back soreness. He spent last week rehabbing at the Cubs' spring training facilities in Mesa, Ariz., where he faced live hitters twice. Gaudin said he has been pain-free since last Monday.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella threw the reliever straight into the fire Sunday, summoning him to pitch the seventh inning with a 4-1 lead. Gaudin sandwiched 2 walks around a strikeout before inducing a flyball and a groundout to escape unscathed.

"Gaudin we need to get sharp," Piniella said. "He hasn't pitched in three weeks."

Acquired in a six-player deal with Rich Harden from Oakland on July 8, Gaudin is 4-1 with a 3.83 ERA in 28 appearances with the Cubs.

"I didn't have any (back) concerns," Gaudin said after the game. "I just wanted to go out there, throw some strikes and get some outs, get some work under my belt."

Unfortunately for Gaudin, he flew in too late on Saturday to join the postgame celebration following the division clincher. His plane landed at O'Hare at 6:30 p.m., an hour after the game ended.

"I'm pretty bummed, but I'm going to wait for the real celebration," Gaudin said. "I'd rather celebrate at the end, when we don't have to play anymore games."

Short stints: Lou Piniella said before Sunday's game that he would "shorten up" his starting pitchers in their respective final starts of the season.

He also left open the possibility of Sean Marshall getting a spot start during the seven-game road trip to New York and Milwaukee. "I don't know if we're going to do that," Piniella said. "(Pitching coach) Larry (Rothschild) and I will talk about it on the plane. Outside of that, these guys have to get their regular work. We have to keep them sharp."

Fan Appreciation Day: Lou Piniella gave a symbolic tip of the cap to Cubs fans for their support throughout the regular season. The North Siders broke their single-season attendance record Saturday for the second year in a row.

Sunday's crowd of 40,551 boosted the new club record for attendance to 3,300,200, an average of 40,743 fans per game. The Cubs became the first Chicago sports franchise to eclipse 3.3 million fans in one season.

"I'd like to thank our fans for the wonderful, wonderful support that they've given us this year," Piniella said. "Another record attendance, this place was electric. They get credit for the success that we've had here."