It'll be mix and match at third base for now.
With Aramis Ramirez out for about two months with a dislocated left shoulder, manager Lou Piniella will use several players at third. Mike Fontenot started Tuesday's series opener against San Diego. It's possible newcomer Ryan Freel will get the start Wednesday. Other options are Aaron Miles and Bobby Scales. Ramirez has been the Cubs' most productive hitter for the last several years, and Piniella says he knows the Cubs can't duplicate that with him out. And he doesn't want the subs to try.
"No, just be themselves," he said.
Piniella added that he would welcome one player taking over at third base if that one player is producing. He singled out the play of Fontenot, who made a pair of sparkling defensive plays in Milwaukee over the weekend.
Overall, Piniella says he'd like his offense to be "a little more selective" with runners in scoring position.
CUBS 6, PADRES 2: Rich Harden tossed six innings of four-hit, two-run ball Tuesday, striking out five. The Cubs got a two-run homer in the sixth from Milton Bradley off Jake Peavy to rally the Cubs from 2-1 down. Bobby Scales added a pinch homer in the seventh.
