(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange)  The Cubs demoted Glendon Rusch from the rotation to the bullpen after he posted a 1-4 mark with an 8.46 ERA.

The clincher came on Saturday, when he lasted just 2 2/3 innings and put the bullpen in a bind.

Rusch, who has enjoyed success as a starter/reliever in the past two years for the Cubs, blames himself for the demotion. He said he feels strong and is not hurt, but he wasn't placing his pitches in the right spots.

Both Rusch (five starts) and Jerome Williams (two starts) were given quick hooks out of the rotation this year.

"It's always urgent when you're on a playoff-caliber club," Rusch said. "You need to do what's best for the team over the full season. You want to be in the playoffs when the season is over.

"You can't, in my case, have outings like I have been. So they made the change. I'm frustrated I didn't perform better, but it's understandable that they're going to do that."

REPLAY: Matt Murton inched closer to the team RBI lead when he singled up the middle in the eighth inning to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead over Pittsburgh on Monday night at Wrigley Field, and Ryan Dempster closed the deal in the ninth. The Cubs snapped a two-game losing streak in which they were outscored 26-2.

With Derrek Lee injured and Aramis Ramirez in a season-long slump, Michael Barrett (18 RBI) and Murton (17) have assumed the leadership in driving in runs.

"The more you get in these situations, the more confident you are," Murton said. "And I have to give my teammates credit for getting on base so I have these opportunities."

--story continued below advertisement--

NOTES

 --LHP Sean Marshall did not pick up a decision in Monday night's game against Pittsburgh, but turned in his second sharp outing in a row, allowing one run on four hits in 7 1/3 innings. He helped save a bullpen that logged 11 1/3 innings the past two games. In his last two appearances, Marshall allowed one run on six hits in 14 1/3 innings.

--INF/OF John Mabry picked up a start at first base on Monday night while Todd Walker moved over from first to second. Manager Dusty Baker said the move made for the best possible lineup against Pittsburgh pitcher Victor Santos.

--LHP Rich Hill was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Monday and is in line to take Glendon Rusch's spot in the rotation when the Cubs visit Arizona on Thursday. Hill is 0-2 with a 9.13 ERA in 10 major league appearances -- all in 2005 -- including four starts.

--RHP David Aardsma was demoted back to Triple-A Iowa after he went 1-0 with a 10.50 ERA in four relief appearances. He could be used as a closer in Iowa.

==============
www.mysportspage.com
==============