Cubs drop 2-of-3 in Houston

Facing a hot team at the wrong time took the wind out of the Cubs' sails. After winning the first game of the series against the Astros they lost the next two. Sean Gallagher got knocked around in his 3rd start for 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk. The 5-3 loss Wednesday showed the Cubs lineup tallying 5 hits. Derek Lee's 2-run shot in the lst got the Cubs off to an early lead. It didn't last long as Carlos Lee belted a 3-run homer in the 3rd to put the Astros ahead 4-3. Getting a day off Soriano was replaced in the outfield by newcomer Micah Hoffpauir who had 2 hits.

Since Gallagher had a short stay at the mound the bullpen was put to work. Jon Lieber was used again entering the game in the 7th. I don't like the idea of the veteran righty as a reliever unless it's absolutely necessary. He's a starter by nature, works fast on the mound and normally gets the ground balls. Lieber should give the Cubs quality innings pitched throughout the season. With Scott Eyre back the pen is probably strong enough to suffice for now. With a day to rest the Cubs are ready to take the series against Pittsburgh before returning home. The Cubs send Carlos Zambrano (6-1) to the mound to take on the Pirates and Zack Duke (2-2).

Ramirez 2-run blast, Cubs defense not enough to put away Astros

Starting off the series with Houston the Cubs went on the attack tallying 7 runs in route to a victory. Tuesday night the offense ran dry. Ryan Dempster made an earnest effort to keep the game close yet Aramis Ramirez' 2-run homer accounted for the only runs. On a night where the Cub bats didn't set the tone it became a struggle to drive in runs. Also they were lucky to be trailing 4-2 in late innings after Hunter Pence whacked a grand slam in the 4th and was on the verge of hitting for the cycle. The Cubs almost got to the Astros bullpen in the 8th and 9th yet couldn't pull together a string of hits. Seeing the patience drawing walks though is encouraging.

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Some nights the lineup will have to play small ball to win. Hit and runs, steals, sacrifice flies and bunts must occur more often. Plus when the game is on the line pinch hitting with a power hitter if available is best. I know Lou elected to go with Fontenot in last night's game, in attempt to coax a rally since he had few options. That's why the Cubs need another outfielder. Sending Felix Pie down to Triple-A was too premature. Why management is relying on Jim Edmonds is beyond me. He has 2 hits in 12 at-bats since joining the Cubs. I'd sit Edmonds on the bench and have Reed Johnson be the everyday starter in center field until they bring Felix back or acquire another good outfielder. Oh, forget about it....just heave that 37-year-old washed up hack out of the clubhouse and tell him don't come back!

Cubs squeeze past Pirates, win 8-of-10 at home

The homestand should've lasted longer. The Cubs finish off the last series taking 2-of-3 from the Pirates. Saturday they were dealt a 1-run loss as Zambrano didn't have his best stuff, only lasting 4 innings. Game 1 they inked a 7-4 victory in which Alfonso Soriano blasted 2 homeruns and gave Sean Gallagher his first win. The next day he followed up with a 5-hit performance including 2 more homers. Sunday it was all about the pitching. Jason Marquis got the job done, going 6 innings wielding 4 hits and 2 earned runs. He kept the Cubs in the game, pushing his record to 2-3. Cedeno and Fukudome aided the offense driving in runs with RBI singles.

How about Soriano of late? He's got red hot in a hurry. I knew it was only a matter of time before he had a big turnaround. 7 homeruns in 10 games is a surefire way to break out of a slump and make an impact. The Cubs needed run production from someone as Lee and Ramirez have hit for power off and on. When one star player isn't hitting another one fills the void. The Cubs have a head of steam coming into the Astros series to kick off a short 6-game road trip. With both teams on a roll it will be a tight series. Also, the Cubs will have to be careful with Lance Berkman and hope he cools off a bit. I look for Chicago to win at least 4 games on the road trip. While Soriano keeps swinging a hot bat trying to extend his 7-game hitting streak, the rest of the lineup can follow suit and get to cracking at the plate.

Dempster shuts out Padres, Cubs win 4-0

A veteran duel ensued on the mound yesterday at Wrigley which the Cubs caught the best of it. Ryan Dempster pushed the Padres to the limit, recording a career high 12 strikeouts. After pitching 8 innings of shutout baseball giving up just 6 hits Dempster earned his 5th win. The lineup came through too against Greg Maddux who exited the game early. Derek Lee (29 RBIs) laced a 2-run double in the Cubs' 4-run 5th inning to plate Dempster and Soriano. Before that an RBI single by Dempster and a sacrifice fly from Theriot brought the other 2 runs home. The middle of the order is starting to hit again. Aramis Ramirez and Soriano have 5 hits combined as the lineup punched 13 total.

As I expected the Cubs are making headway at home, climbing back into first place. A sweep against Pittsburgh in the weekend series would give them an extra boost in the standings. They'll be the only the NL game on tap as the rest of baseball will be involved in Interleague play. Everything has gone smooth except for one truly bad move by Cubs management. Every fan was set against it and yet Jim Edmonds is now a Cub. Yes, another sad day in franchise history with such a controversial signing. Thank God, Felix Pie wasn't traded for him. Whew! What a relief! It's much better to see him go back to Triple-A to further develop his hitting than be whisked off to another team.

Right now the 4 outfielders on the roster may not be enough. I mean if one guy gets injured (Please God just let it be Edmonds) management will have to bring up another outfielder from Triple-A Iowa again or scramble for a replacement. Yes, I know Mark DeRosa is versatile, being able to play the infield and outfield, although he will need days off occasionally. Offensive production ought to be the main concern from these positions. I don't see much coming from Edmonds, who's 37 and doesn't have the bat speed anymore. Plus he's already left 7 runners on base. How in the world can that benefit the Cubs? This only adds to the Cubs' lack of run production. Personally I'd like him to have a short stay and be released or traded. The Cubs need to have positive influences around as they gun to take the series against the Pirates.

Winning streak erased, Cubs fall 4-3 at Wrigley

Tuesday the Cub bats came out slugging in the opening innings. Alfonso Soriano slammed a lead-off homer off Shawn Estes to kick off the scoring. Later in the 2nd inning Reed Johnson followed with a 2-run double to center. After that nothing else was cooking at the plate for the Cubs. San Diego outhit them 10-7 as Jason Marquis went 5.2 and gave up all 4 runs on 9 hits and a walk. It was another bad break for the veteran starter since the bats started off hot then went ice cold, resulting in his 3rd loss. 5 games remain on the homestand allowing the Cubs to extend their excellent record at Wrigley and push for a lead in the Central.

This week rumors have fluttered that the Cubs are interested in picking up Jim Edmonds. With the potential deal laying in wait Felix Pie would be sent down to Triple A. I don't think the trade would work out. Edmonds strikes out too much and doesn't fit into any good spot in the lineup. Plus I think the only way Pie can improve and developed is getting extra at-bats at the Major League level. Sure he's tore it up at Triple A Iowa in previous years yet he needs to face the caliber pitching around the league. Whether coming off the bench or sometimes as a starter he can be a spark plug for the Cubs with his speed and aggressiveness.

I know Scott Eyre is back from injury and trying to find room on the roster for guys is an issue. The bullpen, no doubt about it has been superb. They deserve much credit for the Cubs 23 wins. Having enough arms in the pen is important, but the main focus for progress at current is getting more production from the middle of the order. If the Cubs can start driving in runners on base more frequently they'll wrap up games fairly easy wins against less than potent offensive clubs. Today the Cubs look to recharge the offense as Ted Lilly guns for his 4rd win against Jake Peavy (4-2). It's going to be a tall order for the Cubs lineup to handle. Go Cubs Go!!

Cubs back on track, sweep D-backs

A warm welcome back at Wrigley was what the Cubs needed to energize their offense and shake off the negative forces. This past weekend everything worked to their advantage. They hit the long ball, pitched out of jams, came up with the big hits when need to score runners, and made comebacks. Might I add the Cubs did all this against the team with the best record in baseball coming into the weekend series. The Diamondbacks got a first hand experience of what it's like to be took to the wood shed and beaten while being reminded of last year's NLDS series.

The runs came late to give the Cubs a lift Sunday. Reed Johnson rocketed a 2-run homer in the 7th off Juan Cruz tying the game 4-4. Then coming into the game as a pinch-hitter with the bases loaded in the 8th Daryl Ward delivered with the game-winning hit, crushing a 2-run double into deep right center field. The bench has been outstanding at times for the Cubs, what a clutch hit by Ward! Look forward to see more of the same this season. Due to the rain delay Zambrano's start was moved to Monday. His replacement Sean Gallagher pitched 4.1 innings allowing 4 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. Carlos Marmol entered the game in the 8th inning and picked up the win. He had two strikeouts.

The Cubs continue to shine at home, playing their best baseball owning a 15-5 mark at Wrigley. With the sweep they are tied again with the Cardinals for first place in the Central. It's only a matter of time before the Cubs get streaky and break away from the division pack. Soriano has turned his game around, having a 4-hit performance over the weekend, Lee just smacked his 9th homerun yesterday, and the pitching is holding up for now. Plus let's not forget about Kerry Wood, who most Cub fans (including myself) doubted for a long time. He's been effective and more than efficient as the closer with 7 saves. Zambrano (5-1) will aim to please and keep the ball rolling tonight as he squares off against the Padres' Randy Wolf (2-2).

Lilly mows down D-backs, Wood earns 6th save

Once again the Cubs enjoyed success at home, trying to settle their minds after the weary road trip. When their starting pitching is hot nothing stands in the way not even the Diamondbacks. Ted Lilly put on a clinic Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Going deep in the game for 7 innings he fanned 10 batters while yielding a run on 3 hits and 2 walks. Lilly pushes his mark to 3-4, showing new life with a dominating performance. The 2 extras runs were enough as Alfonso Soriano untied the game in the 5th with a double down the third base line to score Reed Johnson.

Derek Lee smacked a solo homer later in the 8th to add to the lead, his 9th of the season. Kerry Wood wrapped up his 6th save giving up no hits or walks in the 9th The Cubs have 9 games left on the homestand. They're 12-5 at Wrigley with their best games coming in late innings. With Chicago holding their ground in the Central they can be in a more comfortable position after the homestand. The Padres and Pirates come into town next on the schedule. Taking those series will be a big plus. If Geovany Soto keeps on pounding the ball, adding to the .333 average, 6 homeruns, and 24 RBIs the Cubs will be in good shape. I'd like to see Cedeno in the lineup more, he's showing good patience and ability to hit tough pitches this year.