Manager Lou Piniella will continue using the designated hitter this week in Tampa Bay to give his regular players a rest without sitting them completely. First baseman Derrek Lee was the designated hitter Sunday for the second time in the series. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez had DH duty Saturday.
Piniella also is contending with the absence of left fielder Alfonso Soriano, on the DL for at least six weeks with a broken left hand.
"We basically are short of outfielders, what can I say?" Piniella said. "I used (Mark) DeRosa in the outfield as it is. I've used (Eric) Patterson in the outfield. I've used (Ronny) Cedeno in center field."
DeRosa, Patterson and Cedeno all are infielders by trade, but all likely will see time in the outfield during Soriano's absence. Patterson, along with Micah Hoffpauir, came up from Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines) last week.
CUBS 7, BLUE JAYS 4: Left-hander Ted Lilly improved to 7-5 by throwing six innings of one-hit, shutout ball. Lilly was a bit erratic with his control, walking five. Derrek Lee drove in three runs with a pair of singles. Aramis Ramirez hit his 10th homer of the year, capping a four-run seventh inning.
