A few minutes after his manager referred to him as "Scalesie," Bobby Scales was invited into the postgame interview room for the first time in his short - but so far storybook - big league career. 

Milton Bradley's suspension was reduced from two games to one by Major League Baseball on Thursday, but that didn't make him any happier. 

Chad Gaudin knows all about what happened to theCubs' bullpen since they sent him and his $2 million contract packing at the end of an awful spring training. 

--RHP Carlos Zambrano (left hamstring strain) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, and the Cubs were pleased with the results. 

--LF Alfonso Soriano's leadoff homer Wednesday was his 21st as a Cub, setting a club record. 

It seemed surprising heading into Wednesday's game, but the Cubs began the night with the same record (18-14) as they had after 32 games last year. 

After getting off to a slow start at home, the Chicago Cubs appear to have regained their swagger at Wrigley Field. 

Along with the rain and lightning, the Chicago Cubs unleashed a few big strikes of the their own. 

May 13, 2009 (Chicago Tribune delivered byNewstex) --By Paul Sullivan Tonight'sCubs game against San Diego is still on, despite dire forecasts. 

Cubs slugger Alfonso Soriano hit his 53rd leadoff homer Wednesday night, tying Craig Biggio for second on baseball's career list and setting a club record. 

A couple days after threatening to remake the entire bullpen,Cubs manager Lou Piniella came back Tuesday after an off-day in a more upbeat mood. 

It'll be mix and match at third base for now. 

--INF Bobby Scales hit his first major league home run, a pinch homer leading off the seventh inning Tuesday. 

--RHP Carlos Zambrano will pitch in a rehab game Friday or Saturday for Class A Daytona, and the Cubs tentatively have him scheduled to return to the rotation May 22 in San Diego. 

Ted Lilly won his last start on the road, but it's at Wrigley Field where he seems to be at his best.