(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Cubs manager Dusty Baker is not sure where he will be managing in the next couple of years, but he has plans to get back to postseason action as soon a possible.

After qualifying for the playoffs three times in a four-year period from 2000-2003, he will not be seeing postseason action for a third straight year.

Baker's fate as Cubs manager will be decided shortly after the conclusion of this season.

"It inspires you to get back to the postseason," Baker said of sitting out three straight years. "You think about what you will do when you get to the postseason next time, and next time, and the next time. One thing for sure, it won't be too much longer (until) I'll return to the postseason."

REPLAY: Cubs pitcher Juan Mateo had three no-hit innings in the books when he left the game with tightness in his back. Carlos Marmol took over and gave up three walks and four runs in the fourth inning and the Cubs suffered a 4-0 loss to Cincinnati Friday at Wrigley Field.

After Marmol's disastrous appearance, relievers Jae Kuk Ryu, Les Walrond and David Aardsma threw five scoreless innings and struck out nine batters.

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NOTES

--RHP Carlos Zambrano threw a bullpen session on Friday and hopes to start on Sunday. The Cubs are waiting for clearance from their doctors before he pitches again. If he doesn't go on Sunday, he will likely pitch on Monday or Tuesday.

--IF Ryan Theriot sat out a start on Friday with a lacerated right middle finger. He suffered the injury fielding a ball in the ninth inning of Thursday's game.

--1B John Mabry spent 11 hours getting his left wrist tested on Thursday and after X-rays, an MRI and a CT-Scan, it was determined the wrist was sprained and he will be day-to-day.

--1B Derrek Lee was not available on Friday because he was tending to a personal matter.

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