Fukudome gets it done batting in leadoff spot

While their offense remains missing in action, perhaps the Cubs have finally found their leadoff hitter.

And it's not Alfonso Soriano, the new No. 6 hitter - at least for now - who got the day off Wednesday.

Kosuke Fukudome wears jersey No. 1 and said through a translator that he enjoys hitting No. 1.

Despite the Cubs' 4-1 loss to Atlanta at Wrigley Field, Fukudome excelled again from his new spot in the batting order. He accounted for the Cubs' lone run with an opposite-field homer to left off fellow Japanese native Kenshin Kawakami, going 1-for-3 with a walk.

Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar robbed Fukudome of a potential game-tying single in the eighth when he dived to his left to spear a line drive with Koyie Hill on second base.

It was Fukudome's fifth straight game batting leadoff. He's hitting at a .353 clip (6-for-17) since being inserted into the top spot in the order for the first time this season Saturday against Milwaukee.

The struggling Cubs, who managed just 6 hits against Kawakami and three relievers, at least can be encouraged by Fukudome's production from the leadoff spot.

"Sure," shortstop Ryan Theriot said. "He's doing a great job up there."

Fukudome leads the Cubs with 47 walks and also boasts a team-best .382 on-base percentage. It makes no difference to him where he bats in the order.

"I don't change my approach," Fukudome said. "If you can see that I'm comfortable (batting leadoff), then (it's) probably (because) I'm feeling a lot better now."

Fukudome led off the Cubs' first by walking on a full count but was rubbed out on a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Theriot. Television replays showed that Fukudome, who was running on the play, easily beat Escobar's throw to second baseman Brooks Conrad, even though umpire Derryl Cousins saw it otherwise.

"I think I was safe, but the umpire said out, so I can't make any changes for that," Fukudome said.

It was just the beginning of another frustrating day for the Cubs' offense.

"I don't think there is anything specific that we have to fix," Fukudome said. "I just think we need to stay relaxed and do the job that everybody can do."