Manager Lou Piniella was breathing a little easier Thursday with the return of Aramis Ramirez and Reed Johnson to the lineup. Ramirez came back from the Dominican Republic after his wife gave birth to a child. Johnson, who had back spasms, was activated off the disabled list.
Alfonso Soriano was in Chicago getting his broken left hand X-rayed again. The Cubs said the X-rays showed good progress, and Soriano can begin taking batting practice off a tee Friday.
Carlos Zambrano flew ahead of the team to St. Louis, where he will start Friday's series opener against the Cardinals.
Zambrano had a strained right shoulder. Piniella said Thursday that the Cubs will limit him to 85-90 pitches Friday, with the hope Zambrano can give the team six innings. That pitch count is likely to remain in effect for at least one additional start.
GIANTS 8, CUBS 3: Carlos Marmol gave up a three-run pinch homer to Rich Aurilia in the seventh as the Giants broke open a 4-3 game. Sean Gallagher started for the Cubs and went five innings, giving up four hits and four runs, three earned. Mark DeRosa's two-run double in the sixth brought the Cubs within 4-3.
