Soriano continues to make gains

It was the kind of at-bat Cubs fans would have killed for when Alfonso Soriano was in the leadoff spot the past few years.

Third in the order in Sunday's matinee against the Cardinals, the enigmatic Cubs right fielder came to the plate with a runner on and one out and delivered one heck of an at-bat.

He was aggressive, fouling off five of Kyle Lohse's offerings.

He was pliable, somehow bending his neck just the right way at just the right time to avoid a head-high Lohse fastball.

And he was patient, taking ball four on the 10th pitch of the sequence, setting the table for Micah Hoffpauir's 3-run homer.

"It's huge, absolutely," Hoffpauir said. "It gives you a chance to see what a guy is throwing. For me, I had never seen Lohse."

"Really nice at-bat," Cubs manager Lou Piniella chimed in. "He's been doing well in the middle part of the lineup; we're pleased."

Soriano finished Game 1 going 2-for-3, giving him a 9-for-21 tear.

"He's been more selective, he's given us basehits," Piniella said. "If he continues to give us basehits, the power will come."

Unfortunately for the Cubs, Soriano provided neither singles nor homers in Game 2.

Soriano went 0-for-4 with 1 strikeout and failed to advance Aramis Ramirez with one out in the sixth inning. Soriano is hitting .233 after the first half.