4/18/08 vs Reds; W 3-2; (10-6)

Let's review this Cubs win in reverse. I was only able to watch the bottom of the eighth and top of the ninth on TV. Plus, I think a couple of the best performances were at the end of the game. The post game effect of this game, Cubs keep pace with the Brewers and Cardinals who both won on Friday. Still tied for second place in the NL Central.

The top of the ninth didn't take long. Kerry Wood threw six pitches, all of them strikes, to get three outs. Very impressive indeed. Since giving up three runs on opening day, Woody has settled comfortably into his role. In his eight appearances since opening day, he has thrown nine innings, given up only one run, and struck out eight. He has four saves in those eight games and picked up the win in another.

Carlos Marmol gets another quality appearance. We'll forgive the Nate McLouth home run in the eighth, that guy is sick this year with a 16 game hit streak to start the season. In two innings, regardless of the home run, another hit and a walk, he struck out five. In his nine appearances this year, he is averaging just over four outs a game. Seventeen of those have come on strikeouts. Nearly half of his outs are coming on strikeouts and has only given up three runs.

With the starting pitchers struggling to get past the sixth inning successfully, I am sure more comfortable knowing I am going to get three solid innings out of these two guys. When the rotation settles in, and with the offense we have this year, the last three innings of most games should be an elongated victory party.

All the Chicago offense was in the fourth inning. Kosuke lead off the inning with a triple. DeRosa singled to plate the first Cubs run, followed by a double by Geovany Soto. With runners on second and third, no outs, and the game tied, Reed Johnson reached on an infield single to give the Cubs the lead. Two consecutive ground balls advanced and scored Soto to give the Cubs all the runs they would need.

Rich Hill had a decent start going five innings giving up only one run. He picked up his first win of the season for the effort. As Carrie Muskat points out in her cubs.com article, it is the first win for a Cub left hander this year. Hopefully, Ted Lilly will make it a trend in his next start.

Reed Johnson made a fantastic catch in center field. A couple days ago The Bullpen stated that Johnson was a liability, at least compared to Pie, in centerfield. Hopefully this changes his mind. Johnson was two for four and after the game Lou confirmed that Johnson will start Saturday in the lead off spot.