Powerful statement from Cubs' Hoffpauir

NEW YORK - The Cubs claim they still have questions heading into the playoffs.

They may have found one answer Thursday night in Micah Hoffpauir.

Even though the Cubs suffered a 7-6, ninth-inning loss to the New York Mets at rainy Shea Stadium, manager Lou Piniella was gushing about the performance of Hoffpauir, who may have sewn up a spot on the roster for the division series.

The 28-year-old rookie went 5-for-5, including his first 2 major-league home runs. Hoffpauir also doubled home a run and singled twice, driving in 5 runs.

"Impressive," said Piniella, who always perks up when a young player hits. "We're looking, we really are. We're looking for a couple spots. We're looking for a little offense. Put it this way: He'll be in the lineup tomorrow in Milwaukee."

Hoffpauir was the Cubs' minor-league player of the year. He had cups of coffee with the big club earlier this year, and he didn't want to get ahead of himself about the postseason.

"I'm not going to speculate on anything like that," Hoffpauir said. "Obviously, if Lou deems that necessary, that's where I'll be. If not, I'll take my team this season and be happy about it."

Hoffpauir got the Cubs going against Pedro Martinez with a solo homer in the first. His RBI double came in the third. He hit a 3-run homer off Ricardo Rincon in the seventh.

"A lot of fun, definitely a memorable thing," he said. "It would have been more fun to actually put a win on the other end of that, but for me, it'll definitely be a memorable night."

Piniella gave most of his regulars the night off and wasn't apologizing for it, even if the Mets' victory hurt the Milwaukee Brewers in the wild-card chase. The two teams remain tied for the wild card.

"If we were playing non-contending teams, nobody would be saying a word," Piniella said before the game. "What's the sense of trying to take care of everybody else? Take care of yourself, too."

Rich Harden pitched for the Cubs. He turned in a quality start, going 6 innings and giving up 2 hits and 3 runs, 2 earned. Harden walked five and struck out four.

"Harden was OK," Piniella said. "He only gave up a couple hits. His command was a little bit of a problem. But he hadn't been out there in about a week. But you know what? When he pitches, he keeps you in the ballgame and gives you a chance to win."

The Cubs have taken it easy on Harden because of his shoulder problems. He seemed reasonably pleased.

"I felt fine," he said. "I had my moments where I did lose my command a little bit. But that's fine. I wanted to finish with a good feel, and that's what I did."

The Cubs used four relievers, all of whom had some difficulty. Kevin Hart gave up the game-winning single to Carlos Beltran in the ninth.

"We're also looking for somebody to step up," Piniella said of the pen. "We're getting (Chad) Gaudin work to see if he's going to be ready. We got to answer some questions here in about three days, and I guess the final answers until we find out who our opponent is."

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