Twins fans rocking Wrigley
When White Sox fans invade Wrigley Field this week, they're going to have to go some to top the Minnesota Twins fans, in numbers, if not in enthusiasm.
Once again, a hale and hearty band of Minnesotans invaded Wrigley Field on Saturday, and they cheered long and loud for their team, which beat the Cubs for a second straight day.
That's not something the Cubs are used to hearing in their own ballpark. White Sox and Cardinals fans come in healthy numbers, but Twins fans caught the eyes and ears of the Cubs.
"I wasn't expecting it; I was expecting it (this) week against the White Sox," said first baseman Derrek Lee. "I'm sure Joe Mauer is part of the reason. People want to see a guy hitting .400. They must have bought their tickets early. I don't even know if the White Sox get that many."
Mauer, the Twins' franchise catcher, went 1-for-4 in Saturday's 2-0 Minnesota victory. He's batting .408 for the season.
"It's good," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella. "Why not? It means baseball is good and alive in Minnesota. Why not?"
Lucky 13? The Cubs sent infielder Bobby Scales to Class AAA Iowa on Saturday, when they activated starting pitcher Rich Harden.
The move leaves the Cubs with 13 pitchers. Until now, they've operated with 12, but have used only 11 or even 10 at various times.
"I think the big reason, all these extra innings we've had with our pitchers, and also the fact that a couple of them have been a little tender," Lou Piniella said. "We're just giving ourselves a little protection there. I don't know how long we can stay this way. I think what you'll see early in the ballgame if we need to (pinch) hit, you might see (pitcher Carlos) Zambrano being used as a hitter."
Piniella declined to say which pitchers are "tender," but Angel Guzman threw Friday on the outfield grass under the supervision of the trainer.
Freel to rehab: The Cubs have a glut of middle infielders, both in Chicago and Iowa. Lou Piniella said another, Ryan Freel, is about to begin a rehab stint at Iowa. Freel has been on the DL since May 28 with a left-hamstring strain.
"My understanding is we're going to send him to Triple-A probably Sunday or Monday," Piniella said. "Evidently he's fine now, and he's ready to go, so we're going to give him a little rehab."
Rotation plans: In the upcoming series against the White Sox, Lou Piniella said the Cubs will pitch Carlos Zambrano, Randy Wells and Ryan Dempster. That gives Dempster an extra day of rest. He pitched last Thursday at Houston, and Wells opened against the Twins on Friday.