The Chicago Cubs won their eighth straight game on the road as they pounded out a 11-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night. The Cubs once again scored a ton of runs and got to the Braves bullpen early in the ballgame. When you knock the opposing teams pitchers out of the game before the fifth inning three games in a row, good things are going to happen and that is exactly what happened for the Cubs as they swept the Braves.

Ted Lilly didn’t have his best stuff as he was charged with four runs but it was good enough to get the win and improve to 12-6 on the year. Bob Howy had some trouble as he allowed a three run home run that got the Braves back within four runs. Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood then finished up the Braves in the final two innings.

Aramis Ramirez hit a three run home run to lead the Cubbies at the plate with three rbi. Alfonso Soriano added a two run shot of his own as well. Geovany Soto had another great game at the plate as he had three walks and two rbi. Mark DeRosa, Reed Johnson, Daryle Ward, and Ryan Theriot all had one rbi each as well.

The Cubbies will try to make it nine in a row on the road Friday night as they take on the Florida Marlins. Big Z will be taking the mound for the Cubs.

Cubs Baseball Blog

Yeah, it has been a while since this Cubs blog as been updated.  Murphy was doing a great job with his game recaps and I hope he will continue writing as he does a very good job.  Right now I will be trying to cover the games during the week atleast.

Right now I’ll just give you a short recap of game one of the double header against the Braves.  The Cubs bats were swinging and knocking in runs as they crushed the Braves 10-2.  Jason Marquis tossed 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win.  Marquis didn’t pitch too badly as he gave up six hits and two runs, but his pitch count really got up there and that is why he only lasted a little over five innings.  Marquis had to work out of jams quite a few times and that is why the pitchcount was so high.

Neal Cotts, Jeff Samardzija, and Bob Howry all seen action out of the bullpen.  All three pitched great and allowed the team to save Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol for the second game which will kick off at 6 p.m. central time.

Geovany Soto led the offense by going 3-4 with four rbi.  Soto had a two run double in the second inning and then added a two run home run in the ninth inning.  I would expect to see Soto sit out the second game and Henry Blanco to get the start.  Jim Edmonds also had a good game at the plate as he had three rbi in the game.  Aramis Ramirez, Mark DeRosa, and Ryan Theriot all added one rbi each as well.

Let’s go get game two and hopefully see a Brewers loss later tonight. GO CUBS!

Cubs Baseball

Giants ace, Tim Lincecum, kept Cub’s bats at bay as the Giants prevented the sweep with a 4-2 victory over the Cubs on Sunday afternoon.  Lincecum showed again why he is on the NL All-Star team and a CY Young candidate.  Lincecum threw 8 innings giving up 1 run on 6 hits.  He added to his league leading total of strikeouts by whiffing 9 Cub’s batters. 

The Giants started their scoring in the 3^rd inning when Lincecum helped his own cause by tripling in Omar Vizquel for the game’s first run.  A two out single from Ray Durham would give the Giants 2 more runs in the inning and a 3-0 lead.

The Cubs would plate a run in the 4^th inning on a double from the hot-hitting Cub’s centerfielder Jim Edmonds.  He has proven to be a very valuable and low-risk midseason pickup for Jim Hendry.  The Cubs needed another left-handed batter in their lineup and Edmonds has proved very serviceable.   

The Giants would take a 4-1 lead to the 9^th inning after an RBI triple from Fred Lewis.   The Giants then went to closer Brian Wilson for a chance at a league leading 25^th save.  Edmonds would walk and score leaving a pinch hit chance for Geovany Soto with one out and two on.  Representing the tying run, Soto struck out on a called third strike.  Cub’s shortstop Ryan Theriot, who had extended his hitting streak to ten games earlier, ground out to in the game.   Ryan Dempster was credited with his first loss at home this year giving up four earned runs, seven hits, and striking out six.  Dempster now falls to 10-4 on the season.

Special Notes:  Cub’s reliever, Carlos Marmol, will replace Cub’s closer Kerry Wood in the All-Star game due to a minor blister that Kerry wants to give a chance to heal. 

Cub’s fans got exactly what they expected out of newly acquired pitcher, Rich Harden, but it would take an 11^th inning RBI single from Reed Johnson to secure the Cubs second straight victory.  Harden was effective through 5 1/3^rd innings giving up five hits while striking out ten batters and giving up no runs.  It was the third time in his career that Harden had double-digit strikeout totals and the second this year.  He would leave to a standing ovation in the 5^th inning with a smile on his face that was shared throughout the electric crowd on hand at Wrigley. 

The Cubs would give Harden plenty of run support early led by Jim Edmonds 2-run homer in the 3^rd and then a two-run double in the 4^th.  He would finish the day 2-4 with four RBI’s and 2 runs.  The Cubs would then take a 7-0 lead into the 8^th inning before Giant’s catcher, Bengie Molina, doubled in Ray Durham for the Giant’s first run.  They would score once more to make it 7-2 heading into the 9^th inning. 

In the 9^th, with a five run lead, Lou Piniella gave the ball to Carlos Marmol, who has struggled of late.  After a lead-off double to Giant’s shortstop, Ivan Ochoa, things would begin to unravel for Marmol.  After another single and two Cub’s misplays in the infield, the game was quickly tied 7-7.  Cub’s closer, Kerry Wood was unavailable in the game due to a blister so Lou went with Sean Marshall in the 10^th.  Marshall pitched two solid innings before leading off with a single in the 11^th.  Then, with Mark DeRosa at 2^nd and Mike Fontenot at 1^st, Reed Johnson hit a one out, game-winning single which scored Derosa on a very close call at home plate. 

Expect the presence of broomsticks in Wrigley for the series closer Sunday afternoon as the Cubs look for the sweep.  They will be facing Giant’s ace and All-Star, Tim Lincecum (10-2), who has looked like a Cy Young winner despite pitching for a team below .500.  The Cubs will bring Ryan Dempster to mound who has yet to lose in Wrigley Field this season.

Special Note….  Cubs shortstop, Ryan Theriot, went 3-4 on Saturday extending his hitting streak to nine games and upping his batting average to .322 on the year.

A brilliant effort from Jason Marquis, and an 8^th inning homerun from “Mr. Clutch”, Aramis Ramirez, got the Cubs back on track with a 3-1 victory Friday afternoon.  Marquis, who pitched like a starter fighting to keep his rotation spot, threw 7 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits and no runs.  Giant’s pitcher Matt Cain was just as brilliant through 7 as he gave up 3 hits, no runs, and struck out nine Cub batters. 

With the flags barely moving, it was evident early in the game that we would not see the same type of day that led to 7 Red’s homeruns just a day before.  Both starting pitchers were dominant on the mound and through 7 innings the game was scoreless.  After a double from Cub’s leftfielder Daryle Ward, Piniella put in Ronny Cedeno to pinch run, and decided to pinch hit for Marquis in the bottom of the 7^th despite the low pitch count he had attained.  The move would cost Marquis a chance for the win as Kosuke Fukudome failed to plate the run.  It was obvious that Marquis was well aware of the looming probability that he might lose his rotation spot with the acquisition of Rich Harden, and he pitched well enough to earn another start.  With one out and nobody on, Giant’s manager Bruce Bochy decided that Matt Cain’s day was done and pinch hit for him in the 8^th.  Bob Howry pitched a perfect 8^th inning that set the stage for the ensuing drama that was about to take place.

Cub’s shortstop, Ryan Theriot,  kept his eight game hitting streak alive on a bloop play in the 3^rd and then led off the bottom of the 8^th inning with his second single of the game.  Mike Fontenot then bunted Theriot over to second to put the go ahead run in scoring position.  Giant’s pitcher, Tyler Walker, then proceeded to intentionally walk Derrek Lee to pitch to Aramis Ramirez with runners at first and second.   Ramirez then took the very first pitch and hit a hooking bomb towards the leftfield foul pole and out onto Waveland Ave to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead.  The homerun was the 17^th of the year for Ramirez and drew a curtain-call from the 41,000 fans in attendance. 

Cub’s closer, Kerry Wood, got the call in the 9^th and got into immediate trouble when he let the first three batters he faced reach base.  Ray Durham would score for the Giants making it 3-1 and leaving runners at 1^st and 3^rd with no outs.  Wood then caught Aaron Rowand looking for strike three, as Bengie Molina stole second putting the tying run in scoring position with one out.  John Bowker then flew out to Kosuke Fukudome and the runners held.  As the fans got to their feet, Rich Aurilla hit a ground ball to Derrek Lee, who then tossed it over to Wood for the 3^rd and final out.  The save would be Wood’s 24^th tying him for first in the National League with Giant’s closer Brian Wilson. 

Cub’s fans get ready to welcome in Rich Harden tomorrow as he will face Giant’s pitcher Kevin Correia who is 1-5 with a 4.96 ERA.  Make note that the game time has been moved to 12:00pm Central time so get their early! 

The Friendly Confines turned very unfriendly this afternoon for Cub Fans.  The rain held off but that didn’t stop the Cincinnati Reds from raining 7 HR’s in the Wrigley Field bleachers this afternoon on their way to a 12-7 win.  The loss ended a 3 game winning streak by the Cubs and prevented the Wrigley faithful from an opportunity to wave their broomsticks. 

The Cubs would strike first on a double by Derek Lee scoring Ryan Theriot in the first inning.  Hot hitting Mike Fontenot would double and score on a 2 RBI single from “The Riot” in the 2^nd inning that gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead.  That would not hold for long as Lilly could not make it out of the 3^rd inning giving up 3 runs including the go ahead 3 run shot from Red’s second baseman Brandon Phillips.  The Reds would not look back from that point as they would get 4 more runs in the 4^th capped off by Ken Griffey Jr’s 605^th career HR.  Griffey finished the day knocking in 4 runs on 2 hits.  Fontenot again delivered in the 4^th with a one out 2 run shot to the right field bleachers.  He would finish the day with 2 hits, 3 runs, and 2 RBI’s. 

The Reds just continued to pour it on as catcher David Ross led off both the 5^th and 7^th inning with HR’s, his first multi-homerun game of the season.  Votto capped off the power display when he hit the Red’s seventh and final HR in the top of the ninth inning. 

The Cubs did get their first look at newly acquired RHP Chad Gaudin in the top of the seventh.  He got behind David Ross quickly and Ross made him pay by hitting his second HR of the day.  After Gaudin gave up a single to the next batter he went on to retire 6 in a row.  Maybe Chad just needed to shake off the butterflies he felt pitching for his first time as a Chicago Cub!  Watch for Gaudin to be the real sleeper in the blockbuster trade made Tuesday for Rich Harden. 

Ted Lilly took the loss today and was unsuccessful in his bid to win his 10^th game of the season.  Lilly now falls to (9-6) on the season and will not pitch again until after the All-Star break.  Red’s starter Bronson Arroyo gets the win despite giving up 5 runs and 7 hits in 5 innings.  He now moves to (7-7) on the season with a 5.97 ERA. 

Hold on Cubs fans there is a little brighter news to report…  First Round pick Andrew Cashner, the right-handed closer from Texas, signed with the Cubs today and even got to throw in front of Cub’s pitching coach Larry Rothschild.  He is all set to join the rookie league team in Mesa.  It was also confirmed today that Cub’s fans will get their first look at Rich Harden on Saturday as the Cubs host the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.  The Cubs will most certainly have a packed house on hand to welcome him to his new home on the Northside.  The Giants series begins tomorrow as the Cubs will look to get back on track with Jason Marquis taking the mound in a showdown with talented Giant hurler, Matt Cain.  Let’s go Cubs!

Wow what a day for the Chicago Cubs as they made a big trade and then went out and beat the Cincinnati Reds by the score of 7-3.  The Cubs traded for Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin and had to give up Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, Sean Gallagher, and Josh Donaldson.  After the trade was announced the Cubs got down to business on the field.

Ryan Dempster threw seven innings and only allowed two hits and one run.  The one run came in the fourth inning when Dempster walked Paul Bako with the bases loaded.  Dempster is now 10-3 on the season with a 3.13 era.

Neal Cotts had some problems in the eighth inning as he walked two batters but Carlos Marmol came in to clean up the mess and get out of the jam.  That is now the third straight time Marmol has pitched well.  Bob Howry had some problems in the ninth inning as he gave up three hits and allowed two runs to score.  Howry was throwing the ball right down the middle and just letting the Reds hit it as he was out there pitching with a big league.

The Cubs will now welcome Harden and Gaudin on Wednesday and then go out and try to go up 2-0 in the three game series.

Cubs Blog

Little man Mike Fontenot came up big for the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night as he hit the game winning home run in the eighth inning off of Tyler Walker and the Cubs defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-5.  It was awesome to see Fontenot hit the home run and pick up his teammate Carlos Marmol who just given up a three run home run the inning before.

Marmol, who hasn’t been throwing the ball that well lately once again struggled as he gave up a three run home run to Ray Durham in the seventh inning that tied the game at 5-5.  Marmol was picked up by his teammate however and actually got the win in the game to improve his record to 2-3.  Kerry Wood finally got a save opportunity and grabbed his 21st save of the season.

Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster got a no decision after throwing six innings of five hits and two run baseball.  Dempster would have pitched longer but he gave up a two run homer to John Bowker in the sixth inning that let the Giants right back in the game.  It was a quality outing for Dempster but still remains winless on the road.

Geovany Soto had a two run single in the seventh inning while Jim Edmonds had a two run home run in the sixth inning as they led the Cubs at the plat with two rbi each.  Matt Murton got the Cubs on the scoreboard in the first inning when he grounded into a double play and Edmonds scored from third.  Murton was not awarded for a rbi on the play however.

The Cubs can take three of four from the Giants if they are able to win on Thursday evening.  Hopefully they can win and then head to St. Louis and take on the Cardinals in a big four game series.

Cubs Blog

The Chicago Cubs were finally able to win a road game as they beat the San Francisco Giants 9-2 on a cold night out in San Francisco.  Mark DeRosa had a huge night at the plate and Ted Lilly pitched into the ninth inning to really save the Cubs bullpen.  It was a great night for pretty much everyone on the Cubs roster.

DeRosa hit a two run home run in the fifth inning, and then added a grand slam in the eighth inning to really blow the game wide open for the Cubs.  DeRosa finished 3-4 with six rbi and two home runs in the game while he played third base.  Aramis Ramirez will be missing the entire Giants series as he has to take care of some personal matters down in the Dominican Republic.

Matt Murton had two rbi and Kosuke Fukudome chipped in with one rbi as well for the Cubs.  The Cubs could have made the score a lot worse, but they left 24 runners on base in the game.

Lilly pitched great in the game.  He pitched into the ninth inning until he ran into some trouble in the ninth inning when he left the game with two runners on.  Kerry Wood was then brought into the game and he gave up a double to Rich Aurilia that scored two runs.  Both of the runs were charged to Lilly in the game.  Wood was then finally able to close out the Giants.  Lilly is now 9-5 on the season after throwing his best game of the season.

The Cubs will try to make it two in a row on Tuesday night as Jason Marquis takes the mound against Matt Cain.

Cubs Blog

The Chicago Cubs played a piss poor game on Thursday as they lost to the Baltimore Orioles by the score of 11-4.  The Cubs pitching straff threw the ball terribly as they gave up 11 runs.  I can’t but much fault on the offense for losing this game, it all goes on the pitching staff.

Jason Marquis took the loss and is now 6-4 on the season.  Marquis was hammered for seven runs in only four innings of action.  It sucked to see Marquis throw the ball so badly as he was going for his fifth straight win.  The relief pitchers really weren’t much better than Marquis as Jon Lieber gave up a run, Scott Eyre two runs, and Michael Wuertz one run.  Bob Howry and Neal Cotts each pitched an inning as well but they did not give up any runs.

The Cubs got a little rally going in the sixth inning when they scored three runs.  Henry Blanco, Daryle Ward, and Eric Patterson all had rbi singles in sixth inning.  In the eighth inning, Patterson also added a rbi sac fly.

The Cubs will now go down to the south side and take on the White Sox in a weekend series at U.S. Cellular. Hopefully the Cubs can take two of three atleast against the White Sox.

Cubs Blog