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Cubs look to hand Padres another series loss

May 15, 2008 - 1:29 PM San Diego (15-26) at Chicago Cubs (24-16) 2:20 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Alfonso Soriano will attempt to continue his torrid hitting stretch on Thursday as the Chicago Cubs conclude their four-game series with the San Diego Padres.

Soriano, who has led off the game with a home run in back-to-back contests, homered for the third straight game in Wednesday's 8-5 win over San Diego - a team in danger of losing nine of its last 10 series.

During the Cubs' eight-game homestand, in which the team is currently 4-1, Soriano is hitting .478 (11-for-23) after hitting just .214 in his first seven games following his return from the disabled list (strained calf).

"Alfonso is a bit streaky," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "One thing is when he gets hot, he stays hot for a good period of time. He's been swinging the bat more consistently and starting to add power to the equation."

Facing the hot-handed Soriano will be veteran Greg Maddux (3-3, 3.60 ERA), who spent nearly 10 years of his career with the Cubs over two different stints.

The righthander became just the ninth pitcher in major league history to reach the 350-win mark, permitting a single unearned run and three hits over six frames in a 3-2 win over Colorado on Sunday.

He will be opposed by Ryan Dempster (4-1, 2.76), who has yet to win in May after collecting four wins in six starts in April. Despite striking out seven batters in consecutive starts, the righthander will be seeking his first win in three outings on Thursday.

Dempster did not factor into Sunday's 7-2 win vs. Arizona, though he only allowed two runs and three hits over six innings.