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Soriano finding groove, looks to start Cubs winning streak

Jun 5, 2007 - 2:45 PM Chicago Cubs (24-31) at Milwaukee (32-26) 8:05 pm EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- When a player signs as big of a contract as the one Alfonso Soriano signed in the offseason, he will be blamed for the team's failures and lauded for the team's success. Maybe the latter is starting to happen for the Chicago Cubs.

Soriano and the Cubs continue their three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday at Miller Park.

Inked to a $136 million over eight years in the offseason, Soriano started slowly in the home run and RBI departments, but is batting over 20 points of his career average.

The five-time All-Star is picking up his game lately though, as he is hitting .667 (10-for-15) over his last three contests, with homers in each game.

Ted Lilly (4-3, 3.52 ERA) looks to benefit from Soriano's recent surge and increase Chicago's two-game winning streak. He allowed a season-high six runs and seven hits but struck out nine over seven frames in a 9-0 loss to Florida on Wednesday - his first loss since April 20.

Lilly surrendered three runs or less in eight of his first nine starts but has since regressed, allowing at least five runs in each of his last two contests. He is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in six appearances - two starts - lifetime against Chicago.

The Brewers will counter with Claudio Vargas (3-1, 3.90), who is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in six outings - two starts - in his career against the Cubs. Despite being the victim of six no-decisions, Milwaukee is 8-2 in his starts.

Vargas yielded three runs - two earned - and struck out six but did receive the decision in the Brewers' 4-3 win over Florida. He has made two appearances against Chicago this season and is 0-0 despite a 10.50 ERA.