6/14/08 @ Blue Jays; W 6-2; (44-25)

Let’s lead off…pun intended….with a discussion of the lead off hitter for the Cubs. Today, Reed Johnson got the opportunity to lead off against his former team. He didn’t exactly make the most of it, going for 1 for 5. However, the one hit was a three run homer in the second inning. We’ll have to see what tomorrow brings in the lead off spot as the lineup is expected to include more regulars.

The lineup was quite different today with Soto and Theriot getting some rest, and Aramis was used as the DH. That meant Johnson was playing left field, DeRosa third base, with Fontenot covering second defensively. Ronny Cedeno and Henry Blanco got starts in place of Soto and Theriot. Fukudome was used in the two hole, and went hitless, reaching base only on a walk.

Derek Lee had a nice day in the third spot going 3 for 4 and scoring two runs. One of those was a triple to lead off the fifth inning. Aramis had one base hit batting fourth and Edmonds followed in the five spot since Fukudome was moved up. Edmonds had two more hits today continuing his recent surge. He is hitting .355 in June raising his average 41 points. DeRosa, Fontenot, Blanco, and Cedeno rounded out the lineup each getting a base knock today.

Pitching performances today were solid for the Cubs as well. Jason Marquis pitched a nice game going seven plus innings and not allowing a run until the eighth. He picked up his fifth win of the season and fourth in a row. He hasn’t lost a decision since May 13th. Carlos Marmol inherited bases loaded in the eighth and only gave up one run while garnering two strikeouts. Bob Howry took over for the ninth inning and finished things up.

The end result is a 6-2 win on the road. So today I am flying my W Flag proudly as the Cubs win on the road.