--3B Aramis Ramirez increased his team-leading RBI total to 66. He has 11 RBIs over his last six games. Before hitting the game-deciding homer, he entered the game 18-for-43 with 16 RBIs in "late and close" situations. Ramirez has 17 homers for the season and two in the last four games.
--2B Mike Fontenot has started five of the last six games. He moved up to second in the order and had a walk and a sacrifice bunt. He's 14-for-42 over his last 15 games, including a pair of homers against the Reds this week. --RF Kosuke Fukudome did not start as manager Lou Piniella began resting his regulars. CF Jim Edmonds got the day off as well, after going 1-for-10 against the Reds. Fukudome pinch hit and stayed in the game in right.
--RHP Rich Harden makes his Cubs debut Saturday against the Giants. A pitch count of 90 is not out of the question as the Cubs will be cautious with Harden's right shoulder, which had him on the DL with Oakland for a month this season. The Cubs obtained him in a six-player trade Tuesday. Harden is 2-0 with an 0.84 ERA against the Giants. He beat them 4-0 on June 14, pitching six innings.
--RHP Kevin Hart rejoined the Cubs for his third stint with the big club this year. Earlier this season, Hart went 2-1 with a 6.62 ERA in 12 relief appearances. At Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines), he started 10 games and went 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA. He'll work in middle relief for the Cubs. RHP Michael Wuertz, sent to Iowa to make room for Hart, was 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA. The Cubs want him to regain command of his slider. Wuertz gave up four hits and four runs in 1 1/3 innings in Thursday's loss to the Reds.
BY THE NUMBERS: 7 -- The Cubs are sending a club-record seven players to the All-Star Game. Their previous high was six, in 1988 and 1936.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think you focus on winning your division. You win your division, you're in. I wouldn't want to count on the wild card. Win the division and you're in the derby." -- Manager Lou Piniella, on getting to the postseason.
