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 2nd inning that gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead. That would not hold for long as Lilly could not make it out of the 3rd 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 4th capped off by Ken Griffey Jr’s 605th career HR. Griffey finished the day knocking in 4 runs on 2 hits. Fontenot again delivered in the 4th 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 5th and 7th 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 10th 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!
