Cubs' new identity tough on the nerves

Like it or not, the Cubs have become what they had to be to win Sunday.

Most of the Cubs themselves don't like it. This was a game only a pitcher could love, this 3-2 squeaker over the Twins on Ryan Theriot's last at-bat RBI single.

"We're grinding," starting pitcher Ted Lilly said. "We're trying to win some of these type games. It's fun."

Of course, one man's fun can be another man's frustration.

Cubs hitters fancy themselves as what they were last season, a high-octane offense that scores early and laughs late.

Starting pitchers like Lilly had the luxury of protecting sizable leads in 2008. This year they're just trying to keep the Cubs in games until the offense can squeeze out a decisive run.

"I accept that competition," Lilly said. "It's a challenge, but I have no problem being in tight games. It's part of baseball."

Not surprisingly, Cubs hitters prefer the part of baseball where their line on the scoreboard dances.

It isn't, however, so all they can do is blame themselves for the club's new identity. By not hitting, they have squandered the privilege of being the face of the franchise.

Things became so bad last week that Sunday morning general manager Jim Hendry had to fire Gerald Perry, the same batting coach when the Cubs led the National League in scoring a year ago.

"It's a shame," first baseman Derrek Lee said of Perry's exit. "He's taking the blame for something that's our fault."

Now it's up to Von Joshua, promoted from the Cubs' minor-league system, to help return the offense to the good old days of way back in 2008.

Otherwise the Cubs will have to win the Central Division as dramatically as they salvaged the final game of the Twins series.

Another well-pitched game - finally a couple of hits with runners in scoring position - Lee's terrific baserunning play to set up the winning run -

After Theriot drove in Lee to end the Cubs' four-game losing streak, players celebrated on the infield as if this were their first playoff victory in 10 tries instead of just another victory in June.

"It was a lot of relief for them," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.

He was relieved, too. He doesn't enjoy these stomach churners any more than his hitters do. Only winning makes one bearable.

When asked whether the Cubs have to be a pitching-defense team now, Piniella said, "I hope that's not the case.

But until they start hitting - or maybe until offensive leader Aramis Ramirez comes off the disabled list in mid-July - the Cubs aren't going to win too many slugfests.

"It's fun," Theriot said of a low-scoring, high-tension affair, "but it kind of wears on you a little bit. I'd rather score them all early and kind of coast in."

Not much chance of that with Sunday's 1-2-3 hitters - Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome and Milton Bradley - all with batting averages lower than expected.

"I hope we're not classified as a pitching-and-defense team the rest of the summer," Piniella said. "I hope that we start scoring more runs."

Most of all, the Cubs hope they don't start pitching worse before they start hitting better.

mimrem@dailyherald.com