--LF Alfonso Soriano extended his hitting streak to six games. He's 11-for-25 during the streak.
--2B Mike Fontenot saw his hitting streak hit seven games. He's 7-for-18 during the streak. He's hit safely in 14 of his last 18 games. --RHP Jon Lieber, who has been on the DL since July 18 with a strained right foot, threw on the side at Wrigley Field. The Cubs originally had planned to have Lieber pitch for their Class A Peoria club, but they changed plans. There is no timetable for Lieber's return, as the Cubs have a crowded bullpen.
--After going 0-for-10 in the final two games at Milwaukee, 1B Derrek Lee was 0-for-3 with a walk against the Pirates in the series opener. Lee also left two runners on base. Lee's batting average has dropped from .306 at the All-Star break to .290.
--LHP Ted Lilly, who starts Saturday, is coming off three straight quality starts. However, he has an 8.38 ERA against the Pirates this season, giving up nine earned runs in 9 2/3 innings.
--RHP Carlos Marmol struck out three in the ninth inning. He has not allowed a run in six outings (seven innings) since the All-Star break.
BY THE NUMBERS: 7 -- The Cubs entered this week with seven "quality starts" since the All-Star break. The starters' ERA over those games was 2.10. But with the offense slumping, the Cubs' record over those games was just 3-4.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're just not scoring runs. Period. And if we continue to swing the bats like this the rest of the year, we ain't going to win that many, either." -- Manager Lou Piniella on his team's slumping offense.
