Has anyone else noticed that Derrek Lee has been a not very good hitter for two months now? At the end of April, Lee was hitting .364/.437/.682 and looked like he did in 2005. Since then, he's hit .246/.303/.398. He has also hit into 17 double plays in that time frame. He only hit into 2 in April and has never before hit into more than 18 in a season. Lee is still hitting 3rd in the lineup. Unfortunately, the Cubs do not really have anyone else to put in that spot in the order.

Bad outfield defense can kill a team, giving up more extra-base hits and allowing teams to take extra bases. Today's starting outfield of Eric Patterson, Jim Edmonds, and Daryle Ward made me wince when I saw the lineup. It was like the days of Glenallen Hill, Sammy Sosa, and Henry Rodriguez, only without the offensive ability.

Patterson had not played a game in leftfield in the minors this year, but has played left in 11 games now for the big league club. Today may have been his last for awhile. "We'll put somebody else out here in left field. … We'll make some changes, and go from there," said Lou Piniella after the game. Patterson misplayed a base hit for a two-base error today and has misplayed some fly balls in previous games. Additionally, the White Sox clearly had it in their game plan to send runners when the ball was in Patterson's hand, as anyone and everyone was taking extra bases against him today.

Other options while Alfonso Soriano and Reed Johnson remain on the disabled list: Matt Murton, Mark DeRosa, Ryan Theriot (with Ronny Cedeno playing shortstop), recalling Micah Hoffpauir. Return soon, Mr. Soriano.