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Soriano Homers, Cubs Win Division

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By JOE KAY The Associated Press

Published: September 29, 2007

CINCINNATI - With their two biggest investments paying off Friday night, the Chicago Cubs are back in the playoffs.
Alfonso Soriano hit another leadoff homer, Carlos Zambrano kept his cool and the Cubs clinched the NL Central with a 6-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

'Hopefully we can have a few more little parties like this,' said Lou Piniella, who enjoyed a champagne shower in his first season as the Cubs manager. 'They're fun.'

Thousands of Chicago fans made the five-hour road trip and cheered every move by the Cubs, who earned their first playoff spot since 2003 when Milwaukee later lost to San Diego 6-3.

Cubs players munched on plates of ribs and green beans in the clubhouse while watching - and cheering - the Brewers' defeat.

'This one was very important to me,' said Zambrano (18-13), who lost the season opener in Cincinnati. 'We started the season here. Before the game, I was thinking: Here we started, and here we finish.'

A lot of money and maneuvering led to the happy ending.

Soriano was the centerpiece of the Cubs' $300 million offseason splurge, a big-budget solution to their last-place finish in 2006. The outfielder got an eight-year, $136 million deal that was the fifth-largest in baseball history. Down the stretch, Piniella's team cashed in.

Since returning from a strained thigh that sidelined him for most of August, Soriano has gone on a tear unsurpassed in Cubs history. He has 13 homers in September, matching Ernie Banks' record of 50 years ago.

'I'm very proud of myself,' Soriano said. 'I've never had a good September. This time, my team needed it.'

The Cubs stumbled into town after getting swept in Florida, stalling their quest. Soriano got them back in high spirits by hitting the third pitch from Bronson Arroyo (9-15) into the seats in center field for his 32nd homer.

His six leadoff homers in September are the most by any major-leaguer in any month - and that's wasn't the end of it. The left fielder also threw Joey Votto out at the plate in the fourth inning, matching Hank Sauer's team record of 19 assists for the season.

From Soriano's emphatic opening homer, this one had a playoff atmosphere with all those blue-shirted Cubs fans giving the visitors a homefield advantage.

Nothing made Zambrano sweat. Keeping his emotions in check, the right-hander allowed six hits in seven innings and strengthened his case to start the first game of the playoffs.

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