Hot bat has Mike Fontenot in lead for Cubs' second base job

March 10, 2009

MESA, Ariz. — The battle for the Cubs' second base job between Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles appears to be one-sided at this point.

"I'll tell you what, the little kid at second base, he's after a job isn't he?" manager Lou Piniella said.

Both Fontenot and Miles are listed at 5 feet 8 inches, but it was obvious after Fontenot's second home run that he was the one Piniella was referring to as "the little kid."

"What'd he have to say that for?" Fontenot said in mock protest.

Fontenot is having a great spring, hitting .367 to Miles' .222.

Miles' ability to play shortstop means the two are likely to play together a lot as a double-play combo when Ryan Theriot needs a rest.

"I'm just out there trying to get on base and every once in a while let a ball fly," Fontenot said. "Just out there having fun."

There is no animosity between the two, who both figure to get a lot of playing time in 2009.

"He's a great guy and he's hitting the ball better than I am right now, that's for sure," Miles said.

"I was just brought over here to do what I can do, utility-wise, and be a guy that can start every day if needed."

Message sent: Piniella said his postgame criticism of the Cubs on Sunday was meant to send a message to his players, and nothing else.

"Just a little message that, yeah, we're in the second week of March, but if you don't watch yourself, then you're going to be in the third week of March and then the fourth week of March real quick," he said.

"I'm not too interested, like I said [Sunday], about the wins and losses. But I am interested in seeing good at-bats, and I am interested in seeing good pitching performances from the people we're counting on. It gives me a feeling that we're progressing to the start of a baseball season."

Reunion time: Piniella said he's happy to see Ken Griffey Jr. return to Seattle, and the two will get a chance to reminisce on Tuesday, when the Cubs and Mariners play in Peoria, Ariz. Piniella's favorite Griffey story?

"I bet him a steak dinner on something and he lost, so he brought a whole cow into my office, here in spring training," he said. "It was OK as a joke, but it smelled like cow chips in my office for a good period of time because the cow helped himself to my furniture."

Extra innings: Piniella will throw three starters against Seattle on Tuesday— Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster and Aaron Heilman, who is fighting for the fifth spot. … The Cubs have committed only two errors in their last nine games.