--RHP Ryan Dempster turned in the Cubs' seventh quality start since the All-Star break. As evidence the Cubs have not been hitting consistently, the team is 3-4 in those games, but the starters have an ERA of 2.10.
--CF Jim Edmonds did not start for a third straight game because of a sore left knee. He came off the bench with a pinch-hit double in the eighth inning. Edmonds may be able to start Saturday or Sunday. The knee began bothering Edmonds in Arizona earlier this week, when he had trouble pushing off while batting. --SS Ryan Theriot picked up two hits, increasing his NL-leading total of multi-hit games to 41. Theriot is batting .323.
--CF Reed Johnson extended his hitting streak to seven games by going 2-for-3, including the homer. During the streak, Johnson is 10-for-22 (.455). Johnson has 14 multi-hit games after notching 15 last year with Toronto.
--C Geovany Soto hit his 17th homer of the season. It's the most by a Cubs rookie since Mel Hall hit 17 in 1983. The Cubs' rookie record for homers by a catcher is 19, set by Randy Hundley in 1966.
BY THE NUMBERS: 20 -- The Cubs open the unofficial second half of the season with a string of 20 straight games. That could become an issue if closer Kerry Wood's finger blister presents continued problems or if the starting pitchers can't go at least six innings consistently.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think I'm a smart guy. Sometimes I make them think that I'm out of my game, but I'm not." -- Carlos Zambrano, reacting to manager Lou Piniella saying he needed to harness his emotions while on the mound.
