"Alfonso Soriano found himself on the bench for a second straight day on Sunday, a rarity for someone who wants to play every day.

Manager Lou Piniella cited the cross-country trip and the weather for giving Soriano another day off, while pointing at Derrek Lee's resurgence since his four-day stint on the bereavement list.

"Two day games, too hot," Soriano said. "So he decided to give me two days off. … it's nothing bothering me in my body right now."

Soriano said his knees are feeling good and his goal of not being on the disabled list all season is within reach.

"I'm very happy with myself because I said to myself in spring training I don't want to go back on the DL this year," he said. "So far I feel 100 percent."

Soriano is hitting .258 with 19 home runs and 59 RBIs. But he's hitting only .195 in August with one home run and four RBIs, and only .222 since June 1."