"Carlos Pena didn't hit his first homer as a Cub until May 20. He now has 20, which is second most in the majors during that stretch to the Blue Jays' Jose Bautista (22 before Saturday).

Pena is working on a one-year, $10-million contract and it is widely assumed he won't be back next season.

But manager Mike Quade isn't so sure.

"Who knows, maybe he doesn't have to be replaced," he said. "That decision is a long way off."

Pena has produced as advertised: Low average (.224), high strikeouts (101) and power (20 homers, 51 RBIs) in the middle of the lineup.

"I'm glad he shook off a rough April," Quade said. "Maybe a lesser guy, who hasn't been here before, lets it carry over into a rough May and June."