Fukudome, who did not start on Monday but was expected to return to the Cubs' starting lineup on Tuesday for the second game of their three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, is batting .179 (12-for-67) in his last 18 games. He has reached base in 29 of his last 34 games, but his average has dropped to .277.

Piniella suggested the Cubs outfielder not arrive early every day, not do his extended pregame running, and limit his stretching.

"I told him that playing every day up here, you get enough work," Piniella said. "I said, at times it's not bad to ride the bus to the ballpark as opposed to getting here every day at 2 o'clock or 2:30.

"What we want to do for this young man is help him out and get him going," Piniella said. "I know he works hard and he's got the routine, but it's a little different playing in this country than in Japan. The travel is a lot greater, the day-night games, the humidity, learning the new league, the media. Maybe if he eases up a little bit, it might help."

Fukudome does have a rigorous routine, and is one of the first to arrive at the ballpark.

"I told him that playing nine innings every night and getting all the pregame work we have is a pretty good load in itself, so maybe cut it down a little bit," Piniella said.

What was Fukudome's response?

"He said he'd look at it, and that he would consider the things we talked about," Piniella said. "It was just an exploratory conversation more than anything else. We're trying to figure out why he's been struggling and maybe this is a little piece of the puzzle.

"I'm the one who needs to do his workload to get in better shape," Piniella said, jokingly.

Pitching matchup
CHC: RHP Jason Marquis (6-5, 4.44 ERA)
Marquis went 10 days between starts, and he seemed to benefit from the time off. The right-hander threw seven shutout innings on July 11 against the Giants, giving up three hits. Marquis is needed to step it up in the second half. He has a career 25-33 record after the All-Star break.

ARI: RHP Yusmeiro Petit (0-1, 3.06 ERA)
Petit made a spot start for Micah Owings on July 2 against Milwaukee, and gave up one run on two hits over six innings. He did not get a decision in the game. This will be his second start and 10th appearance this year. Owings, originally scheduled to start Tuesday, was needed in relief on Monday.

Tidbits
Jeff Samardzija struck out nine and gave up one run on two hits over six innings in Iowa's 2-1 win over Nashville. It was Samardzija's fourth straight win, and fifth quality start with the Triple-A team. He's 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA in three starts in Des Moines. ... Mark Holliman threw five shutout innings and gave up three hits in Tennessee's 7-3 win over Huntsville. Sam Fuld, Jake Fox and Blake Lalli each homered. ... Marco Carillo struck out seven and gave up one run on two hits over six innings but did not get a decision as Daytona beat Sarasota, 5-1. ... Kevin Kreier gave up two hits over six shutout innings as Peoria beat Great Lakes, 7-1. ... Peoria Chiefs manager Ryne Sandberg will attend the 2008 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and will miss games on July 23-27. ... According to a published report, Major League Baseball has fined the Cubs an undisclosed amount for rules violations in the June First-Year Player Draft, and is investigating whether further discipline might be warranted. The Cubs issued the following statement: "The violation alleged involved failure to notify the league office prior to signing a player. We are working with the league on an appropriate resolution." ... Congrats to Ryan Theriot and wife Johnnah, who welcomed daughter Georgia Grace during the All-Star break.

Tickets
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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
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On radio
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Up next
• Wednesday: Cubs (Ted Lilly, 9-6, 4.49) at Diamondbacks (Doug Davis, 3-4, 4.14), 8:40 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Cubs (Carlos Zambrano, 10-4, 2.98) vs. Marlins (Scott Olsen, 6-4, 3.84), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Friday: Cubs (Ryan Dempster, 11-4, 3.05) vs. Marlins (Josh Johnson, 0-0, 3.86), 1:20 p.m. CT