Fukudome setting tone for on-base percentage

Could the Cubs be enjoying the Fukudome Effect as a team?

Maybe.

Entering Tuesday's 8-1 victory over the New York Mets, right fielder Kosuke Fukudome led the National League in pitches seen per plate appearance at 4.72.

And the Cubs as a team went into the day again leading the NL in on-base percentage at .364. They upped that to .371 Tuesday with 14 hits and 8 walks.

Fukudome has reached base seven straight times, including all 5 plate appearances Tuesday, giving him a sizzling OBP of .477, which is among the NL leaders.

So has Fukudome's approach rubbed off on his teammates? Some on the Cubs think so, citing both Fukudome and leadoff man Reed Johnson (.415 OBP).

"That's a good question," said shortstop Ryan Theriot, who has an OBP of .408. "Both he and Reed have really seen a lot of pitches and kind of ignited the offense. When you see that, as a teammate, you see the success that it's having, it's helping the team win, (and) you want to imitate that a little bit."

Fukudome walked twice Tuesday, doubled once and singled.

"Even though some days I don't get a hit, if I can get on base to help the team, it's a good thing," said Fukudome, whose batting average is .357.

The concept, and one that has eluded the Cubs for many years, is simple: Put enough runners on base, and you score runs. To the Cubs' credit, they cited Fukudome's on-base ability when they signed him out of Japan in December.

"It seems like even when I come to the plate, there are guys all over the place, whether it be second and third, first and second or bases loaded," Johnson said. "It makes it a lot more fun to hit, and it makes it easier to hit. All of a sudden, the routine flyball into center field becomes a sac fly instead of just a meaningless out.

"I think that when you're being patient and you're working yourself into good counts, getting yourself better pitches to hit, then you're going to have more guys on base, whether it be by walk or a single or a double. Then the pitcher becomes put under more pressure and more pressure."

Theriot sits: Ryan Theriot didn't play for a second straight day because of lower back pain.

"It's good," he said. "It's something I've been dealing with for a long time. Actually, it felt worse the day I had a few hits (Sunday). I think it's more precautionary. It does feel much better today. We'll see what happens."

Theriot was asked if the pain was more spasms or general pain.

"It's kind of hard to describe, maybe a little bit of both, but never to the point where I felt like it was affecting my play," he said.

That didn't stop Theriot's teammates from having a little fun with him. They dressed up one of the marketing interns in a suit and gave him a "credential" that read, "The-Riot Enterprises: Public Relations-Sports-Movies-Broadcasting."

Theriot cited the main culprit as pitcher Kerry Wood, with Ryan Dempster getting an assist. The pitchers were poking fun at the recent media exposure Theriot has been getting.

This and that: Mark DeRosa extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games. He's 11-for-30 during the streak. … Aramis Ramirez (.409 OBP) has reached base in all 20 games this year. He has 13 walks. … Felix Pie went 2-for-5, recording his first multihit game of the year. … Reliever Bob Howry worked his first scoreless inning since April 13.