8/15/08 @ Florida; W 6-5; (75-47)

Daryle Ward has only had eleven games this season where he has come to the plate more than once. He has been called on to pinch hit most of the season, and it hasn't gone real well for him. He is hitting only .217 and had driven in only ten runs going into Florida. His home run last night may make him forget all that.

The Cubs trailed 3-5 going into the ninth. Neither team had scored since Mark DeRosa's two run homer in the fourth. The inning led off with a walk to DeRosa from Florida's closer, Kevin Gregg. Mike Fontenot lined out to third on a great play. The ball was absolutely smoked for what looked to be a double in the corner, but was caught by a diving Florida third baseman. Reed Johson then singled to bring up the pitcher's spot, in which Daryle Ward was asked to fill in. He absolutely crushed a ball to right field for a three run game winning home run. Zambrano congratulated him in the dugout both for winning the game and saving him from a loss.

Zambrano actually started the scoring, singling to score DeRosa in the second inning. His lead didn't last long as the Marlins tied it in the second and blew it open in the third. Control was the issue as Z allowed three walks in the inning to go along with a home run and triple.

DeRosa, 1 for 1 on the night with three walks, three runs, and two rbi, closed the gap just a little bit with his 14th homer of the season. Then the pitchers took over on both sides. Chad Guadin pitched two perfect innings to earn the win. Kerry Wood allowed a walk, but struck out two to pick up his 25th save on the season.

The win extends Chicago's winning streak to five, their road winning streak to nine, and their NL Central lead to 5.5 games. Everyone on the roster is contributing. When Chicago can win a come from behind game in which Aramis Ramirez doesn't play, and Derek Lee doesn't get on base....doesn't it seem like this is our year!