Cubs' Soto leaves game during at-bat in sixth

MILWAUKEE _ All-Star catcher Geovany Soto left the Chicago Cubs' game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning Friday night, grimacing and shaking his left hand after fouling off a pitch.

Manager Lou Piniella and a member of the team's training staff talked to Soto briefly at home plate before replacing him with Koyie Hill.

Soto was scratched during a game earlier this month because of soreness in the hand.

The first NL rookie catcher to start an All-Star game, Soto is batting .286 with 23 homers and 86 RBIs.

The Cubs have clinched home-field advantage for the NL playoffs.