Padres On Deck @ Cubs, Game 2 of 4

San Diego (14-25) at Chicago Cubs (23-15), 5:05 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Alfonso Soriano and the Chicago Cubs aim for a fifth straight win on Tuesday as they continue a four-game series with the San Diego Padres. Carlos Zambrano threw seven strong innings and Soriano blasted a two-run home run during a six-run fifth as the Cubs rolled to a 12-3 victory Monday.

Chicago, which swept Arizona over the weekend, has won the first four games of a 10-game homestand. Soriano has been key during the streak, hitting .500 (7-for-14) with a home run, two doubles and four RBI. "I feel very comfortable at home plate. I'm swinging at strikes and being more patient at home plate," said Soriano, who raised his average from .188 (16-for-85) to .232 (23-for-99) in that span.

Soriano will try and continue his offensive breakout against Shawn Estes, who is making his first start in over two years. Estes, who missed the 2007 season following reconstructive elbow surgery, was called up from Class AAA Portland on Thursday. The lefthander last started on April 5, 2006 for San Diego. The Cubs will counter with Jason Marquis (1-2, 5.08 ERA), allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 5-3 loss to St. Louis on Sunday.