Soriano’s bat heating up
The Cubs won’t mind a bit if Alfonso Soriano goes on one of his hot streaks. Perhaps all the better if it makes him attractive to some other team in the off-season.
First things first.
Soriano was 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI double in Wednesday night’s 4-2 victory over the Washington Nationals. The home run was Soriano’s 20th of the season. That marked his 10th consecutive season with at least 20 home runs. He joins Albert Pujols and David Ortiz as the only three active players with at least 10 straight 20-homer seasons, including 2011.
Soriano also became the third player in Cubs history to hit at least 20 homers in his first five seasons with the club, joining Hack Wilson (his first five seasons) and Andre Dawson (all six years with the Cubs).
“I’m very proud of myself because I’m working hard and trying to be consistent in this game,” Soriano said. “I’m very happy that I have 10 years with 20 homers. I’m a hard worker. I think it’s a lot of work and concentration and the passion and the love that I have for the game.”
Soriano has three seasons left on his eight-year, $136 million contract. The Cubs may try to shop him this winter to an American League club, even if they have to eat a large portion of the money.
A good feeling:Starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez improved to 3-3 with a 4.78 ERA. Manager Mike Quade removed Lopez after he gave up a two-out homer to Jayson Werth in the sixth. #147;I wish I could go longer, but I guess there was a good reason after my last two outings,#148; Lopez said, referring to starts when he allowed big innings. #147;I left with a good feeling about myself. In the end, it worked for all of us.#148;That#146;s the spirit:Reed Johnson started in right field over Tyler Colvin and tied a career-best with 4 hits, including a home run. He said it was special coming on a night when the Cubs honored the late Ron Santo with a statue. #147;It#146;s definitely a good day, all the ceremonies before and everything,#148; Johnson said. #147;It means a lot to me because Ronnie was a hard-nosed guy and just passionate about everything he did, whether it was when he played the game or afterward, when he was an announcer. I think all the players and upper management said the same thing about Ronnie, that the passion showed through every time he opened his mouth on the air.#148;Looking ahead:It#146;s too early to talk about September call-ups, but the subject came up with Mike Quade, who doesn#146;t make those calls. (General manager Jim Hendry currently is watching the Cubs#146; Class AA Tennessee club.)Quade said he expects to see journeyman first baseman Bryan LaHair, who has hit 30 home runs and driven in 86 for Class AAA Iowa. Pitcher Casey Coleman#146;s name also came up. #147;The people in Iowa are watching him and watching his progress,#148; Quade said. #147;Stuff wise and command wise, they have a good feel for that. September#146;s coming. If he#146;s making progress and doing a good job, I expect to see him.#148;