--3B Aramis Ramirez did not play because of the bruised left hip he suffered Thursday night in Atlanta while diving awkwardly into home plate. He may be able to play Saturday night.
--RHP Jason Marquis will be available out of the bullpen Saturday because the Cubs will bypass him in the three-game series against the Reds at Wrigley Field beginning next Tuesday. Marquis will start next Friday against the Nationals at Wrigley. Against the Reds, they'll go with Rich Harden, Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano. --LHP Sean Marshall starts Saturday against the Marlins, and manager Lou Piniella figures him to be good for five innings or about 80 pitches. It'll be Marshall's fourth start of the year, as he has spent most of this season in the bullpen. The Cubs needed a spot starter because of this past Tuesday's rainout in Atlanta, which forced a doubleheader Wednesday. Marshall last started July 6, going six innings and picking up a victory in St. Louis. He's 1-2 in three starts overall this year.
--Mark DeRosa started at third base for the injured Ramirez. DeRosa hit his 14th home run of the season in the fourth inning. That establishes a single-season best for DeRosa in homers.
--RHP Kerry Wood earned his 25th save and his first since July 11 as he overcame a finger blister and back problems. Wood worked in his third straight game, and he'll get Saturday off, with RHP Carlos Marmol serving as closer.
BY THE NUMBERS: 24 -- The Cubs reached a high-water mark of 24 games over .500 last week. Before that, the last time a Cubs team was 24 games over .500 was at the end of the 1989 season, when the Cubs won the NL East at 93-69.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Charlie Weis is tougher than I am. That I can tell you. It's easier playing for an easygoing guy like me." -- Manager Lou Piniella on RHP Jeff Samardzija having played football at Notre Dame under Weis.
