May 26--Ben Zobrist will have plenty to celebrate Thursday on his 35th birthday.
Zobrist continued his impressive stretch Wednesday when he singled in two runs during a six-run rally in the second inning of the Cubs' 9-8 victory over the rival Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Zobrist extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a 3-for-5 day, batting .435 during that span, and he has reached base safely in his last 31 starts. Overall, he's hitting .346 with a .453 on-base percentage.
"Unbelievable," manager Joe Maddon said. "His at-bats have been spectacular. If anyone is rubbing off on everyone else, it would be him.
"He's at the top of the game right now."
Maddon did admit he would have rested Zobrist if the Cubs didn't have Thursday off.
Fickle fans: Maddon was amused to learn of the uproar via Twitter after Jorge Soler wasn't in the lineup after hitting a home run and driving in three runs Tuesday.
"I really appreciate people finally are understanding Soler is a good baseball player," Maddon said with a smile before he was reminded many fans had wanted Soler to be sent to the minors.
"It's every fan's right to think that way."
Soler sat Wednesday because Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez is tougher on right-handed hitters, prompting Maddon to start left-handed hitter Tommy La Stella at third base with Kris Bryant moving to left field.
Also, Maddon wanted to get consistent at-bats for La Stella who has been primarily on bench duty this trip.
Soler, who's hitting .204, came up as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning and struck out.
Spreading the time: Maddon took a peek at the stat sheet to see if Javier Baez, La Stella and Soler have received enough at-bats to stay sharp.
"It has worked out very well," Maddon said.
He did admit the season-ending injury of Kyle Schwarber has affected the playing time of others. Soler has 126 plate appearances with Baez at 90 and La Stella at 78.
"I've been playing a lot -- way more than we thought I was going to play," Baez said last weekend in San Francisco. "If you're not starting, you still can show what you can do. I just have to be ready to play everywhere."
Baez missed the first two weeks with a hand injury.
