Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome swung at the first pitch of Wednesday's 6-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants and flied out.
That's how it's been going lately for the rookie out of Japan. He still is maintaining a good on-base percentage while hitting in the leadoff spot for the injured Alfonso Soriano, but Fukudome has found himself in a bit of a slump. He entered Wednesday 4-for-20 on the current road trip and has been uncharacteristically impatient.
"He's coming off the ball; he's not staying on the ball," said manager Lou Piniella, who added Fukudome is working with batting coach Gerald Perry.
Outfielder Reed Johnson returns Thursday from the disabled list, and Piniella said he'll be able to get Fukudome some breathers now and then. When LF Alfonso Soriano comes off the DL sometime around the All-Star break, Fukudome will drop from first to second in the order.
CUBS 6, GIANTS 5: RHP Carlos Marmol blew a save in the seventh, allowing Ray Durham to tie the game at 5-5 with a three-run homer, but 2B Mike Fontenot homered in the eighth for the game-winner. Jim Edmonds hit a two-run homer in the sixth. Kerry Wood got out of two-out trouble in the ninth for his 21st save.
