Lee should be back tonight
HOUSTON -- The Cubs are optimistic that first baseman Derrek Lee's bruised knee is nothing serious, but he was scratched from the lineup Thursday after having trouble running during batting practice.
Lee will be evaluated again today before the Cubs open a key four-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis.
''I should be OK [today],'' said Lee, who received treatment several hours before Thursday's game and again during about half the game. ''There was pain, but I just couldn't move around. It was really just a bad spot.''
The team expects Lee to be ready to play tonight, but to miss even Thursday's game is a rarity for Lee, who has a high pain tolerance and routinely plays through injuries. He hurt the right knee fouling off a pitch in the fifth inning Wednesday.
''He couldn't run. That's why he didn't play,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ''The trainer seems to think he'll be OK [today]. We'll see.''
Daryle Ward replaced Lee at first base and batted fifth. He homered in the fifth inning.
''It was a pressure game for him to pitch, and he responded as well as or better than you can expect,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ''For a young pitcher to pitch in the middle of September, you grow up quick this way. You can't pay for this type of experience. And I'm extremely proud of him. [It's] a big game in his career.''
• • After a scoreless sixth inning, left-hander Scott Eyre, who lost his setup role because of ineffectiveness early in the season, has a 1.02 ERA in 21 appearances since the All-Star break. He hasn't allowed a run in five September appearances.
• • Piniella said he doesn't plan to give starting catcher Jason Kendall a day off down the stretch but said rookie Geovany Soto will catch one of the games in Saturday's doubleheader in St. Louis.
CUBS IN BRIEF: