The power outage in the Chicago Cubs lineup was evident in Tuesday's 11-1 victory over the New York Mets. It was the fourth game the Cubs have scored 10-plus runs, and they have not hit home runs in any of them.
Heading into Wednesday's games, the Cubs are 14th out of 16 teams in the National League with 33 home runs.
Cubs manager Mike Quade is surprised by the lack of home runs considering that the Cubs have proven power hitters such as Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Pena.
"A little more [surprised] with [Ramirez] because he has been so consistent over the years," Quade said. "Soriano has always struck me as more of a streaky guy than Rammy. There's probably a gazillion reasons for some of it, including the [weather] this time of year."
Quade still believes the Cubs numbers will average out over the season.
"I'm a past performance kind of guy," Quade said. "I believe it will get better."
Soriano is still among the league leaders in home runs with 11, but he hasn't hit one since May 2, a 19-game homerless streak. Even more shocking is that Ramirez is behind last season's slow start for home runs. He has just one home run, on April 6.
The Cubs used to be built around slow-footed home run hitters, but with the ascension ofStarlin Castro and Darwin Barney, the offense is more of a small ball attack.
"[Hitting coach] Rudy [Jaramillo] talked to these guys early on that line drives are the deal," Quade said. "Then when conditions change and things warm up those line drives turn into home runs real quick. But a lot of our guys are line drive hitters. Our kids don't have a bunch of power. But in general you start with line drives and you hope that graduates into home runs."
Carlos Pena has warmed up a bit with five homers in his past 18 games after going homerless in his first 25 games as a Cub.
"Of all the guys on this club, Carlos is the one with the natural uppercut home run swing. He and Sori probably," Quade said.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said injured catcher Geovany Soto will play extensively over the next two days for Double-A Tennessee. Hendry said he expects Soto to return for Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Soto has been rehabbing a left groin strain since going on the disabled list on May 11.
Jeff Baker is still dealing with a strained left groin. Quade said he could use Baker as a pinch hitter over the next couple of days but he is going to try to avoid using him if he can.
Heading into Wednesday's games, the Cubs are 14th out of 16 teams in the National League with 33 home runs.
"A little more [surprised] with [Ramirez] because he has been so consistent over the years," Quade said. "Soriano has always struck me as more of a streaky guy than Rammy. There's probably a gazillion reasons for some of it, including the [weather] this time of year."
Quade still believes the Cubs numbers will average out over the season.
"I'm a past performance kind of guy," Quade said. "I believe it will get better."
Soriano is still among the league leaders in home runs with 11, but he hasn't hit one since May 2, a 19-game homerless streak. Even more shocking is that Ramirez is behind last season's slow start for home runs. He has just one home run, on April 6.
The Cubs used to be built around slow-footed home run hitters, but with the ascension ofStarlin Castro and Darwin Barney, the offense is more of a small ball attack.
"[Hitting coach] Rudy [Jaramillo] talked to these guys early on that line drives are the deal," Quade said. "Then when conditions change and things warm up those line drives turn into home runs real quick. But a lot of our guys are line drive hitters. Our kids don't have a bunch of power. But in general you start with line drives and you hope that graduates into home runs."
Carlos Pena has warmed up a bit with five homers in his past 18 games after going homerless in his first 25 games as a Cub.
"Of all the guys on this club, Carlos is the one with the natural uppercut home run swing. He and Sori probably," Quade said.