ST. LOUIS (AP) -The Chicago Cubs had Alfonso Soriano hitting third for the first time in his two seasons with the team Friday night against St. Louis.
The Cubs totaled one run in consecutive losses to the Reds heading into a three-game series against the Cardinals. Their .252 average was 11th in the NL, while Soriano had a 10-game hitting streak in which he batted .350 with a .458 on-base percentage.
Derrek Lee batted third 11 times and Kosuke Fukudome three times the first 14 games. Lee moved to fifth behind Aramis Ramirez, who is batting .353 with three homers and a team-leading 14 RBIs.
Manager Lou Piniella said the decision was made on the flight to St. Louis on Thursday night. Soriano batted leadoff the first 14 games this season, and hit first 105 times last year.
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