Howry has the manager's backing.

"Bob works hard and I have confidence in him," Piniella said. "I keep bringing him in there and I'll continue to do so.

"The home run ball has hurt [him]. Maybe he's just in a little bit of an unfortunate streak, but he goes out there and competes and gives you everything he has."

Lou: Giving everything you have" sometimes isn't enough. Howry is being lit up every time he goes out there. Use him in mopup duty if you must...but please don't call on him when the game is on the line. Over the decades the Cubs have had hundreds of guys who "gave everything they had" and who still stunk up the joint.