Theriot connects again, Cubs win again

People are starting to notice this "new" Ryan Theriot.

The Cubs' shortstop-turned-power-hitter did it again Monday night, hitting a 2-run homer in the second inning to help the Cubs to a 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs have won four in a row, and Theriot has hit a homer in three of those games.

"It's crazy, man," said starting pitcher Ryan Dempster, who benefited from Theriot's power display by picking up his second victory against 1 loss. "It's awesome. Good for him.

"I don't think he's going up there just trying to hit a homer every time. He's going up there trying to put a good swing on the ball. He's come up with 3 homers in the last four days. For a guy who's not known for his power, it's pretty cool to see.

"The biggest part of all is that we won all those games. He's kind of put a jump-start into a lot of guys, and it's a lot of fun."

Theriot has taken the advice of manager Lou Piniella, who told him to "drive" the ball instead of trying to "aim" it, particularly with men on base.

Although Theriot pulled his second-inning homer into the left-field bleachers, he impressed his manager in the first, when he drove a ball to deep right-center after leadoff man Alfonso Soriano doubled. Soriano eventually scored.

"I felt like I hit that ball good," Theriot said. "At that point, you just kind of want to get the guy over. I think in the past, I might have just tried to hit a groundball. I hit that one pretty good."

The homer gave the Cubs a 3-0 lead, which they increased in the fifth. Dempster rolled along on the mound, giving up 5 hits and 2 runs while walking two and striking out seven.

Last Friday he stayed after the game to work with pitching coach Larry Rothschild in the bullpen.

"I just tried to work on making good pitches, keeping the ball down," Dempster said. "I found myself early on getting frustrated. Early on in the season when I'd get runners on base, I wasn't mentally sticking with pitches. I think that's why those big innings were happening."

Dempster gave way to Carlos Marmol, who pitched the eighth, and to Kevin Gregg, who earned his fourth save.

But the talk of the night was Theriot, who has equaled his career high in homers. He also hit 3 in 2006 and '07.

"It's just 3, it's not like it's 50," he said. "You don't want to get too high or too low. This game will humble you in a heartbeat. You just take the good days, and you embrace them and enjoy them because things can change real fast here."

<p class="factboxheadblack">Bruce Miles' game tracker</p> <p class="News"><b>Give that man an RBI:</b> When Reed Johnson hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, it represented his first run batted in of the season. The remaining position player without an RBI is outfielder Joey Gathright.</p> <p class="News"><b>Go-to guy:</b> Reliever Carlos Marmol made his fifth appearance in six days. He has pitched Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday. They play "Rubber Band Man" at Wrigley when Marmol comes in. The Cubs better hope the rubber band doesn't snap.</p> <p class="News"><b>A look ahead:</b> Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum pitches for the Giants today. Cubs manager Lou Piniella may rest a few regulars, including hot-hitting Ryan Theriot. Look for Koyie Hill to start at catcher.</p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=291243">Zambrano placed on disabled list; out 2 to 3 weeks<span class="date">[5/4/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>