(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange)  Newly acquired infielder-outfielder Phil Nevin just wants to fit in.

Nevin figures to fill in at first base while Derrek Lee (fractured right wrist) is mending. Lee figures to be out at least a few more weeks.

Nevin also figures to be a backup third baseman and pick up some playing time in the outfield.

He said he wants to see Lee back in the lineup as soon as possible.

"I'm a Cub now, and I want to win, and for this team to win, Derrek needs to be back," Nevin said. "I hope he comes back next week and makes us better. I'll do what they ask me to do."

Nevin was used as a designated hitter for Texas before Wednesday's trade, which sent Jerry Hairston Jr. to the Rangers.

"It's going to be nice to wear a glove again," Nevin said. "I missed that. The role I was in over there -- I didn't get to play any defense. It's kind of a different gig."

REPLAY: After suffering through a 7-22 month of May, the Cubs were hoping for better days ahead in June. It seemed like a month for their first win in June as they beat St. Louis, 5-4, in a five-hour, four-minute battle.

Todd Walker's groundout in the 14th brought home Juan Pierre for what turned out to be the winning run. Ryan Dempster, the eighth Cubs pitcher used on the night, pitched a scoreless bottom of the inning and the Cubs improved to 21-32.

Starting pitcher Sean Marshall took a 2-1 lead into the seventh, but the Cardinals scored a run off of him and another off reliever Bobby Howry. The Cubs trailed 4-2 heading into the ninth, but Cardinals' third baseman Scott Rolen made an error on a Walker grounder with the bases loaded to knot the game at 4-4.

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NOTES

 --Juan Pierre, who had just two RBIs in the Cubs' first 48 games, has three in their last five after driving in a fifth-inning run against St. Louis on Friday night.

--OF Jacque Jones continued his torrid hitting as he hit his third home run in as many games when he hit a solo shot in the fifth inning against St. Louis and took over the team lead with 10.

--RHP Sean Marshall, who has been up and down throughout his rookie season, pitched well against St. Louis, allowing two runs in 6 1-3 innings. He left the game with a 2-1 lead, but picked up a no-decision after the Cardinals rallied when reliever Bobby Howry came in.

--IF-OF Phil Nevin, who came to the Cubs from Texas in a deal for Jerry Hairston Jr. on Wednesday, reported to the Cubs on Friday but did not pick up a start. He figures to start at first base on Saturday against St. Louis.

--RHP Mark Prior (strained shoulder) will make his second rehab assignment for Single-A Peoria on Saturday. The Cubs hope Prior can throw 55-60 pitches. After Saturday, he will likely need at least two more rehab starts before returning to the parent club.

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