"Manager Lou Piniella talked about pitching karma after the Cubs' 6-5 victory Saturday in Milwaukee. But something even more mystical seems to have taken over No. 2 hitter Kosuke Fukudome.

Fukudome, a free-falling rookie last season, seems to have settled down his hitting mechanics and has become more aggressive earlier in the count. So far, that has resulted in an 8-for-19 start that includes five extra-base hits.

Two of those extra-base hits -- a home run in the fourth inning and a run-scoring double in the sixth -- came Saturday. In a four-hit game against the Houston Astros, his first three hits, including a homer, were on first pitches.

''He looks like the hitter he was early in the year last year,'' Piniella said. ''Let's hope he keeps getting better and better -- or at least stays as good.''

Hitting coach Gerald Perry said the more aggressive approach is all Fukudome, who told Japanese reporters after the game it's something he has been working on.

Perry said the main thing he's working on with Fukudome is ''staying back and not as much movement.''"