Garciaparra gets one hit in five-inning stint

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra wasted little time getting his hacks on Sunday afternoon, lining a single on the first pitch he saw in the first inning, going 1-for-2 with a walk in a rehab game with the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.

"I've always been an aggressive hitter and today was no different," Garciaparra said. "I felt good at the plate and worked some counts deep later with my last two at-bats. The best thing so far is I'm moving instinctively out on the field and not worrying about the injury."

The five-time All-Star, who is recovering from a serious groin injury that kept him out of the Cubs' lineup the past three months, also turned a double play in the fifth inning of West Tenn's 8-1 victory over the Carolina Mudcats.

Garciaparra was active on the bases, twice trying to steal second base in the first inning, with Casey McGehee fouling off both pitches. On the pitcher's third delivery, Garciaparra broke for second base again, and McGehee delivered a single to left field on the hit-and-run.

"Nomar was giving me a hard time about making him work too hard out here on the field," McGehee said, laughing. "But hey, that's what I'm here to do. Help him test things out and get going."

Garciaparra left after the fifth inning -- as planned -- on a muggy afternoon that saw temperatures in the high 80s. In two games with the Diamond Jaxx, he's 2-for-6 with a walk.

"The five innings was a planned thing," Garciaparra said. "I wanted to get three appearances at the plate and then go ahead and get out of the game. I felt great out on the field, but there's no reason to push your luck by playing in the heat all day."

Garciaparra said he would likely stay at West Tenn for games on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Huntsville Stars. After that, he plans on joining the Cubs in New York.

"That's the plan right now," Garciaparra said. "I'll have to talk to the Cubs tomorrow and see what happens, but I think I'll be here for a few more games and then be ready to go."