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Colvin, Castro putting charge in Cubs

Cubs manager Lou Piniella has toyed with the top of his lineup an awful lot this season, using four different players in the leadoff spot and seven others at the No. 2 position.

Well, all that tinkering may soon come to an end if rookies Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro continue to produce like they have lately at the top of the order.

Colvin struck again early in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Cardinals, starting things off with a leadoff homer, the second straight day he's accomplished the feat.

"When we hit the home run ball," Piniella said, "we seem to score runs in bunches."

The homer was the 15th of the season for Colvin in just 216 at-bats.

"I want to go up and hit the ball hard," Colvin said. "Luckily lately the wind has been blowing out and I've been getting it up in the wind."

And Castro continued his torrid pace with a homer, double and 2 RBI, including the game-winner while upping his average to .308 and continuing to look like a natural in the second spot.

"I like him in the No. 2 hole, that's a nice spot for him," Piniella said. "Boy the ball really jumps off his bat."

Piniella isn't the only one who thinks the two rookies at the top of the order give the Cubs a lot more energy.

The kids do, too.

"Yeah (we do)," Castro said.

"It seems be working out OK now," Colvin said. "We're getting on base for the guys behind us."

As for where they currently reside in the order, it's more than fine for the Cubs' two prized rookies.

"I like hitting No. 2; I'm comfortable there," Castro said.

Colvin, whom Piniella projects as a middle-of-the-order guy down the road, says the leadoff spot works for him.

"Wherever Skip wants to put me is fine," he said.

It looks like Skip has found that spot.

Chicago Cubs' Tyler Colvin celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 24, 2010, in Chicago.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Associated Press
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