WASHINGTON -- Geovany Soto got Sunday off, but the Cubs' rookie catcher would've rather been in the lineup. Eight strikeouts in eight at-bats is nothing.

Soto was 0-for-5 on Saturday, striking out five times against five different Washington Nationals pitchers. He had struck out his last three at-bats on Friday.

"That surprised me more than anything else because he was swinging the bat so well," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said of Soto's unwelcome streak. "This will give him a couple days, and he'll be ready to go Tuesday night."

Soto's K streak is not as bad as former Cub Bill Hands', who fanned in 14 straight at-bats for the Cubs from June 1-July 11, 1968. Only Juan Eichelberger (San Diego, 1980) and Mike Thurman (Montreal, 1998) have struck out in more consecutive at-bats with 15.

"We won a game yesterday, and that's all you have to focus on," said Soto, who was able to put his problems at the plate aside and called a shutout in the Cubs' 7-0 win. "It was pretty rough for me, but as long as the team is winning, that's all that matters."

Soto was ranked second in batting average among National League rookies, behind teammate Kosuke Fukudome, so the rash of strikeouts was unexpected.

"I was thinking too much, I think, and going out there thinking about hitting the ball here or there," said Soto, who is batting a respectable .316. "I just have to see the ball and hit it where it's pitched. Sometimes it's easier said than done. I was hitting fairly well, and stuff comes at you like that and it's part of the game."

Piniella and Carlos Zambrano, the starting and winning pitcher on Saturday, both complimented Soto on being able to focus on his job behind the plate.

"That's my main job here is to call good games and handle my pitching staff," Soto said. "My secondary job is my hitting. I have to focus on my pitchers and guide them, and take a good game from them."

After his at-bats, Soto took the field and was able to forget about the strikeouts.

"I blocked it out and just thought about my defense and called a good game," Soto said. "You know how Zambrano can get -- he'll get bored out there and start nitpicking, and all of a sudden you look up and there's three men on and that's when you wake up. I try to keep him focused and keep him aggressive."

Soto didn't welcome a day off.

"I'll play any day," Soto said. "I don't care if I'm 0-for-30, playing baseball is my passion. I'll go out and play.

"I'm sure I'm not the only guy in history to do this. I'm sure there will be somebody after me. I'm not worried about it."