4/19/08 vs. Pirates; W 13-1; (11-6)

Alright then. Cubs cruise past the Pirates on a D Lee home run, an RBI and a couple runs from Kosuke, and a couple RBIs from DeRosa. Sounds like a lot of our game recaps this year doesn't it. So let's skip the game recap and go straight to roster moves.

Matt Murton was called up from Triple A and Eric Patterson was sent down. As I, and many other Cub fans, have argued, Murton should have gotten the call to start with. He pinch hit in the sixth and stayed in the game in left field. He didn't get a hit in his two at bats, but that didn't matter today.

In another minor league note, Al from bleedcubbieblue says that Jeff Samardzija is performing well and may be moved up to Triple A soon. I know I would like to see him promoted...not because of baseball....just because my boys and I followed him at Notre Dame. They are more interested at their age when they have a connection to individual players. Plus, we can have a Harry Caray impersonator spell his name backwards.

In his game recap on The Bullpen, Brian says we are searching for an everyday center fielder. CoCo Crisp is the name mentioned. I don't know that I like that idea. This is a career .280 hitter who only has one extra base hit this year. Granted he is faster than Reed Johnson so he may get to a few more balls and may steal a couple more bases. I still agree with Brian that trading pitching for him is too much. If they'll take Pie and Cedeno for him, then sure make the trade. That way we still have Murton on the roster when Soriano comes back.

Back to the game....with this win, and a little help from the Tim Lincecum and the Giants, we move to within a half game of first place. With Looper throwing for the Cards today, probably not a chance that they lose again. We'll take care of our business and sweep the Pirates for the second time this season. Then we move into a series with the Mets while the Brewers and Cards beat each other up.