Soriano still able to shift to extra gear on bases

CINCINNATI -- Alfonso Soriano singled and stole two bases in the second inning of Tuesday night's 4-2 win over the Reds in 10 innings, but after swiping third, the Cubs veteran took a brief timeout.

"I was fine," Soriano said Wednesday. "I steal second and third on two pitches, and at age 37, I think I need a little time. Thank God, I'm feeling good. At 37, I needed extra time. I took my extra time to breathe. I can't remember the last time I had two sprints like that."

The last time was August 2008. Soriano stole two bases in one inning twice that month, the last one on Aug. 25 that year against the Pirates. Don't expect him to be putting together another 40-stolen base season, though.

"I feel good in my legs," Soriano said. "If I have a chance to steal the base, I'm going to try to do it to make the game easier for my teammates and try to score some runs. We have a very good team. I want to try to take what they give me. If they give me a stolen base, I'll take a stolen base."

Soriano was not in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Reds, but he didn't ask for the day off.

"I never ask for a day off," Soriano said. "I'm always ready to play."