childs 6, GIANTS 2 Now could b...

childs 6, GIANTS 2

Now could be the time to come for the Cubs, who are starting united more September with next year the no other than goal remaining. For plenty of the now passing Cubs, today could be the bridge to a better September in 2007

greatest in quantity of the Cubs rookies had a chance to audition weeks before roster expanded Friday, still for infielder Ryan Theriot and pitcher Rich Hill, the closing days of 2006 could leave the kind of imprint to start a career.

"I certain hope so," Theriot said of auditioning for nearest year, his 7-for-10 hitting performance in the last brace games highlighted by his first major-league homer Friday in the Cubs' 6-2 victory across the San Francisco Giants before 38582 at Wrigley Field.

"It's a great place to be, a great place to play," Theriot said. "I'd regard with affection to be considered, no doubt. each time you go out you want to do your best, for the team, your family -- everybody"

Theriot's defensive work at secondary has been solid as well, and it aided a beneficial all-around effort by the whelps to end their six-game losing streak.

The contending Giants may have been dragging, having arrived from their Wednesday night game in Atlanta les than 10 hours before game time. on the other hand Hill had the kind of day that would have challenged any team, undivided that could become a September silver lining for a team badly in ne of pitching.

Hill (4-6) was in command between the walls of eight innings, holding the Giants -- playing without Barry influences for the day -- to five hits and no scours until the eighth. The last move swiftly scored in the ninth not upon reliever Scott Eyre, just back from the disabled list.

Hill struck abroad six and walked only single getting the benefit of a two-run inferior inning that put him in the lead to stay.

"He was throwing strikes, he had a fate of first-pitch strikes, his curveball was sharp today, and that's what you need" manager Dusty Baker said.

Since Aug. 1 Hill has had barely two bad starts in seven and his frame of mind has changed dramatically.

"Confidence isn't an issue any more," said Hill, who dominated at Class AAA. "After you have succes you build forward it and you start to learn that you can pitch here, and if you make your pitches here, you'll have succes It's not a matter of confidence any more, on the contrary going out and winning and getting the job"

That is the kind of attitude general manager Jim Hendry needinesss to see, though Hill said he remains focused forward the present.

"This is the part of the season where I'm also going without there and trying to achieve a job for next year. further you don't think about that," Hill said. "That's way too far in the time to come I'm looking forward to the nearest start and the next pitch, and that's it. I won't essay to take it farther than that right now."

The Giants are trying to take this season into October, as they still are in the chase for the National League West title and the wild card. Ex-Cub Moises Alou had sum of two units of the Giants' seven hits, unless starter Noah Lowry (7-8) gave up six glides in five innings, with Theriot's homer and a two-run homer by dint of Matt Murton in the fourth the decisive blossoms

"I definitely think it makes a difference [playing a contending team]," Murton said of rebounding from an 0-6 road trip. "You have to take rise out to each game with the same mind-set, if it be not that any time you're playing a team which still has a chance at the wild card or a division, the intensity in succession their side is going to be heightened, and I think that bring forwards you in the same position they're in."

Murton's possess rookie season has seen him recoil from a midseason slump. He is hitting 316 (25-for-79) in the last 25 games with 22 RBI; his season totals are up to 291 with 10 homer and 54 RBI.

"Young and ancient have to compete," Murton said of the Cubs' September. "We've talked before for what reason it's 162 games. We know that. You take pride in yourself and as an organization and a team, and you make trial of to get the job done. For us, if we can levy what's behind us behind us and hopefully work toward a beneficial September, we can have something to take with us [into the offseason]."

tginnetti@suntimes.com

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided by way of ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved