Soriano to stay in leadoff spot

Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano's on-base percentage has free-fallen to .296, but don't look for manager Lou Piniella to move Soriano out of the leadoff spot.

"We've been through this many times," Piniella sighed. "When we signed Alfonso, he was a leadoff hitter. We've won two divisions with him being a leadoff hitter. What else can I say? He's struggling. We just got to hope he gets hot."

The numbers all the way around are bad for Soriano. In his last 22 games, he's 14-for-95 for a .147 batting average. He has 14 homers and 27 RBI to go along with 66 strikeouts and 22 walks.

Soriano always has enjoyed a "comfort" zone in the leadoff spot while at the same time saying he'd do whatever Piniella wants.

"I don't know," he said when asked again Sunday. "I know that I've been struggling for a month. I know sooner or later I'm going to get out of the slump, and I'll be fine."

Fukudome flailing: Kosuke Fukudome was 0-for-4 as his batting average fell to .266.

"I think it is a technical thing more than the mechanics of the swing," he said. "I think it is difficult to explain right as of right now, but I know what it is, and I think I can fix it."

He tried to explain the "corkscrew" swing that befalls him when he misses the ball.

"If I hit the ball, I'm probably not spinning myself," he said. "So it is definitely not good."

Accentuate the positive: Lou Piniella says he's tired of people focusing on the negative aspects of the Cubs' game and wants them to focus on the good pitching and defense instead.

"Everybody wants to get an RBI when they can," he said. "Just relax and let it happen. It's not the end of the world if you don't. You're still going to get a paycheck. Your dog's going to still like you. Three years from now, nobody's going to give a (darn), anyway. I don't know why people are putting undue pressure on themselves."