Alfonso Soriano made up for another poor performance by the Chicago Cubs' bullpen, smacking a go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth inning to give the Cubs a 6-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. 

As a former closer for the Chicago Cubs, Ryan Dempster knows all about the pressure that comes with the territory. 

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella is still getting to know his team's rebuilt bullpen. 

SAN DIEGO (AP) The San Francisco Giants are optimistic that pitcher Joe Martinez will recover relatively quickly from a concussion and three small fractures sustained when he was hit in the head by a line drive. 

MILWAUKEE ? Lou Piniella did his stand-up routine Friday after theCubs? tough 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the home opener at Miller Park. 

MILWAUKEE ? Geovany Soto didn?t seem overly worried Friday about his right shoulder, but manager Lou Piniella sounded concerned about a possible lack of catching depth. 

In remarks before theMilwaukeeBrewers' home opener Friday against the Chicago Cubs, general manager Doug Melvin defended veteran right-hander Jeff Suppan, who was tagged for six runs in four innings on opening day in San Francisco and has been the target  

Braden Looper was hoping for a more polished debut with theMilwaukeeBrewers. 

TheMilwaukeeBrewers' late arrival home from San Francisco early Friday led to an unexpected spectacle later in the day in the traffic jams surrounding Miller Park before the home opener: 

RHP Trevor Hoffman was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 27, with a right oblique strain. 

General manager Doug Melvin on Friday defended veteran right-hander Jeff Suppan, who was tagged for six runs in four innings on opening day in San Francisco and has been the target of disgruntled fans. 

--Joe Attanasio, the father of Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, remained perfect when singing the National Anthem before games at Miller Park. 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)Giants reliever Joe Martinez was hit in the head by Mike Cameron's line drive in the ninth inning, but was able to walk off the field Thursday in San Francisco's 7-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. 

The last time Carlos Zambrano pitched at Miller Park, he recorded the Cubs' first no-hitter in 36 years. 

Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks has put on a few pounds since last season, and admits it isn't all muscle.