NewsPiniella takes active role to help Bradley
Chicago (29-27) at Houston (26-31), 1:05 p.m. CT
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
06/11/09 2:56 AM ET
HOUSTON -- Lou Piniella has taken a more active role in Milton Bradley's hitting. The Cubs manager had video coordinator Nao Masamoto put together film of Bradley's at-bats from last year when he hit .321 at Texas and this year, side by side. After watching nearly an hour of swings, Piniella discovered something. "I think we found something that will help him," Piniella said. "We'll see when he gets out there. I have a pretty good feeling that this will help." Piniella reinforced his message to Bradley in the middle of the clubhouse prior to Wednesday's game as he went through the motion over and over. Bradley did get an infield single, but also hit into a double play. He's batting .209 for the season. "It's fairly minor," Piniella said of the tweak. "He doesn't have to change much at all except one little thing." Will it work? Time will tell. The Cubs close this three-city, nine-game road trip on Thursday against the Houston Astros in a rare weekday day game at Minute Maid Park. Piniella is trying to find the right lineup combination and keep the offense functioning until Aramis Ramirez returns. Ramirez was able to take some ground balls at third on Wednesday but wasn't expected back until sometime in July. "I think the lineups we're playing are our best opportunities," Piniella said. "When we do get Ramirez back, we can play around with it." Pitching matchupCHC: RHP Ryan Dempster (4-3, 4.12 ERA)
Dempster did not get the win in his last start against the Reds. He gave up three runs, all unearned, on six hits over six innings and struck out seven. The right-hander was pulled after 84 pitches, his second-shortest outing of the year as far as his pitch count goes. He has faced Houston once, and that was in his first start, on April 7. In that game, Dempster gave up two runs on six hits over six innings, but did not get a decision. HOU: RHP Russ Ortiz (3-2, 3.96 ERA)
Ortiz pitched 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief on Sunday, coming in to replace Felipe Paulino, who was forced to come out with a right groin strain. Ortiz will again step in for the injured Paulino. Ortiz has put together a 12 1/3-innings scoreless streak. As a starter this season he is 2-1 with 5.82 ERA and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any start. His last start came on May 7 against the Cubs, who he'll face again Thursday. Ortiz is 3-5 with a 5.71 ERA in 12 games against Chicago. Tidbits
Angel Guzman's scoreless streak ended at 13 2/3 innings. ... Carlos Zambrano's eight innings Wednesday were the most in one of his starts since his no-hitter on Sept. 14, 2008. ... Jeff Samardzija gave up two runs, one earned, on five hits over six innings in Triple-A Iowa's 5-3 win over Round Rock. It was Samardzija's third quality start of the season. He also reached base twice with his first career triple and a walk. ... Casey Lambert gave up one run on six hits over 6 2/3 innings and struck out eight in Double-A Tennessee's 3-1 win over Chattanooga. ... Robinson Chirinos hit his ninth home run in Class A Daytona's 10-2 loss to Jupiter. ... Nelson Perez hit his seventh home run in Class A Peoria's 5-4, 10-inning loss to Kane County. ... The MLB Network will show "This Old Cub" on Sunday night. The documentary profiles Ron Santo's baseball career and his battle with diabetes. ... Friday is the premiere of the movie, "We Believe," which focuses on the Cubs, their fans and the city of Chicago. Tickets
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• Friday: Cubs (Randy Wells, 0-2, 1.86) vs. Twins (Kevin Slowey, 8-2, 4.21), 1:20 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Cubs (Rich Harden, 4-2, 4.74) vs. Twins (Anthony Swarzak, 1-2, 5.23), 12:05 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Cubs (Ted Lilly, 7-4, 3.00) vs. Twins (Scott Baker, 4-6, 5.59), 1:20 p.m. CT
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
