--LHP Rich Hill will make his first start since April 10 when he starts Friday against the Pirates at Wrigley Field. Hill went to the bullpen in the meantime but did not pitch in relief. The Cubs are looking for Hill to be more aggressive with his pitches.
--CF Reed Johnson tied his career high with four hits. Johnson singled three times and doubled. Johnson has supplanted Felix Pie in center, and it's possible manager Lou Piniella will bat Johnson leadoff in one or more of the three games this weekend against the Pirates at Wrigley Field. --RF Kosuke Fukudome failed to reach base for only the second time in 15 games, going 0-for-5. Fukudome is batting .327 with a .448 on-base percentage.
--2B Mike Fontenot started his second straight game as the leadoff hitter but went 0-for-5. He left the bases loaded in the second, two aboard in the fourth and two on in the sixth. Manager Lou Piniella said before the 9-2 loss that he'd be inclined to keep Fontenot batting first, but Piniella has been known to change his mind quickly.
--3B Aramis Ramirez walked in the third inning and has nine bases on balls in 15 games. That puts him on pace for 97. Ramirez's career high in walks is 50, set two years ago. Historically, Ramirez hasn't walked or struck out much, but he's shown uncharacteristic patience at the plate in April.
BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- The Cubs already have a pair of games in which they've stolen four bases. They had only one such game last year, when manager Lou Piniella lamented a lack of team speed.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "That's no indication of who I am as a pitcher, but it's just something that I've got to go through. It's over. I'm just looking forward to the next start." -- Pitcher Rich Hill on his first two starts.
