Soriano's October Struggles Continue

Alfonso Soriano described his job as the Chicago Cubs' leadoff batter as a matter of pressure. "I want to do my job and take the pressure off" everybody else, he said.

But his failure to do so in the postseason has created an unintended effect, adding a burden to the middle of Chicago's lineup and raising questions about Soriano's October struggles. The Cubs' left fielder is 1 for 9 in the series. Couple that with his performance in 2007, and he has three hits in 23 playoff at-bats with the Cubs. Lifetime, Soriano -- who made the postseason from 2001 to 2003 with the Yankees -- is a .219 postseason hitter.

"I think it's unfair," Chicago Manager Lou Piniella said of Soriano's reputation for October disappearances. "I mean, look, you can always point the finger wherever you want, but it's a team game. And just because one guy struggles or two guys struggle, other people can pick it up."

Sleep or Travel?

Last night's 8:30 p.m. starting time in Chicago left the Cubs conflicted. With such a late start, were they wiser to fly out to Los Angeles right after the game, per usual? Or were they better off spending the night in Chicago, then using the off day to travel? Chicago elected the latter approach. A sleep doctor's reputation hangs in the balance.

Cubs officials, bemoaning the late start, consulted a sleep specialist before determining their travel.

"He said that we should stay overnight instead of travel after the ballgame so that everybody can get their full balance of sleep," Piniella said. "We'll see if he's right or not after the third game in Los Angeles."

Sveum: It 'Ain't Over Yet'

As the Brewers packed their bags for the trip back to Milwaukee last night, after losing twice in Philadelphia, their figurative baggage also included a .115 team batting average and a patchwork starting rotation that will be without its ace, Game 2 loser CC Sabathia, until Game 5, if they survive that far.

"To say they're running out of gas -- first of all, this thing ain't over yet," Brewers interim manager Dale Sveum said. "We get to go home now. These guys had their back up against the wall seven days ago, and they came through. So I've been there, and I've seen it happen. We win Saturday, it's a different ballgame."

Brewers slugger Prince Fielder is hitless in seven at-bats in the series, including three strikeouts. He came to the plate in last night's eighth inning with two on and two out, representing the tying run, but grounded out on the first pitch from Phillies lefty J.C. Romero to end the inning.

"To single [Fielder] out is kind of ridiculous," Sveum said. "Nobody's really swung the bat that good for a whole month."

Easy as 1-2-3

One night after making a harrowing escape from his own ninth-inning jam in the Phillies' Game 1 win, closer Brad Lidge faced the same scenario -- starting the ninth with a three-run lead -- and this time set the Brewers down 1-2-3 for his second save.

Harlan reported from Chicago. Sheinin reported from Philadelphia.