The Cubs have an unruly roster situation that will last at least until they come back from the All-Star break.
They made a roster move Friday, optioning right-hander Michael Wuertz to Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines) and calling up righty Kevin Hart. The move still leaves the Cubs with a 13-man pitching staff. Manager Lou Piniella says things will ease once left fielder Alfonso Soriano comes off the disabled list, most likely July 21 at Arizona.
With 13 pitchers, the Cubs have a short bench, making late-inning play dicey sometimes, and Piniella acknowledged before the game that he doesn't like having to use pitchers Carlos Zambrano and Jason Marquis to pinch hit.
The Cubs went through four relievers in Thursday's 12-7 loss to the Reds, and the promotion of Hart gives the Cubs a "fresh arm," according to Piniella.
CUBS 3, GIANTS 1: 3B Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a scoreless tie. RHP Jason Marquis, who hadn't started since July 1, pitched seven shutout innings, giving up three hits. SS Ryan Theriot had two of the Cubs' five hits. Kerry Wood gave up a run in the ninth but earned his 24th save.
