After Alfonso Soriano's torrid stretch of hitting during Mid-May, the Cubs left fielder has returned to the form Chicago fans know best: fielding debacles and poor plate discipline.

Needless to say, he had a miserable weekend in Pittsburgh. Saturday, Soriano went 1-7 and then on Sunday he lost the game's final out in the sun, allowing the Pirates to come from behind and win for the second straight day.

Monday's return to Wrigley Field may have been memorable for an entirely different reason than the calender dictates.

I've been urging the Cubs to provide Alfonso some protection all year. He's not a leadoff hitter, can only hit fastballs, you've heard it all before. Well, the Cubs finally offered him protection... FROM THE FANS.

Yes, any fan yelling at the $136 million dollar man would be removed from Wrigley Field immediately.

"A Cubs official offered protection for Soriano, instructing left-field bleacherites before Monday's game that any profane or inappropriate comments made toward Soriano would result in their immediate ejection."

I wonder if this was extended to the television booth? Late in Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh, after Soriano had botched the routine fly ball, WGN's Bob Brenly noted that, "You could throw a dart into the Cubs dugout and find a better left fielder."

It's funny 'cause it's true.

Soriano rarely speaks, perhaps part of the issue with fans, but at times he's acknowledged that his contract merits more attention and results. What makes matters worse is also his failure to acknowledge that he's not even remotely healthy. If he'd do that, fans might ease of a little. Either way, leave it to the Cubs to coddle their largest investment even when both parties would agree he's been a terrible disappointment.

At least with the Dodgers visiting Wrigley this week, fans can be reminded that they don't have a bigger outfield problem on their hands in the form of Andruw Jones.