The four hitters in the middle of the Cubs’ batting order are starting to click at the same time, helping to turn around a lineup that appeared to be sleepwalking for much of the first half of the season.
Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Milton Bradley have combined to hit .417 on the homestand with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs.
“This is more along the lines of what was expected of us,” Bradley said.
The return of Ramirez on July 6 was the beginning of the hot streak, while the move of Soriano to the No. 6 hole also has been a major factor. Soriano, who hit a three-run home run Wednesday in a 12-0 victory over Houston, is hitting .364 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 66 at-bats in the sixth spot with a .408 on-base percentage.
“I’m very comfortable now,” he said. “I don’t have too much pressure to get on base. I just see the ball and hit it.
“Now I have a different job — to have more RBIs.”
Bradley has a .481 on-base percentage in July.
“I’m encouraged every day,” he said. “It’s a constant battle to find your swing, trying to figure out how you hit .320 and now you’re having trouble just hitting the ball. I’m too good to worry about it.”
Blanco watch: Andres Blanco hit his first career home run in the eighth inning, a line shot to right field off Doug Brocail.
“That was impressive,” Lee said. “That wind was blowing in pretty hard from right field. He said they’re going to be celebrating him back in his hometown [in Venezuela] tonight.”
Extra innings: Right-hander Mitch Atkins was called up from Triple-A Iowa to replace Jeff Stevens and made his major-league debut, pitching the final inning of the Cubs’ shutout. … The Cubs are 11-0 since July 1 when collecting 10 or more hits.
