8/29/08 vs Phillies; W 3-2; (85-50)

There is no I in TEAM.

Mark DeRosa, in the midst of a hitting streak, was asked to sacrifice in his last at bat. He was still without a hit in one official at bat, having walked twice, and the Cubs already led 3-2. Like a good team mate he did his job, advancing runners to second and third with no one out. The hitting streak is over at ten games. Rubbing salt in the wound, neither runner scored.

However, I bet if you interview Mark DeRosa, the comment falls in the "I just want to do everything I can to help the team. Individual stats don't matter, the team won and that's what is important." category.

Rich Harden set the Phillies up for this one. Much like Dempster yesterday, he struggled early with control and let the Phillies feel in charge up 2-0 after 4.5 innings. He had allowed three hits and four walks while striking out only five. At that point, Chicago had Philadelphia right where they wanted them.

Mark DeRosa led off the fifth with a walk. He stole second, his sixth stolen base of the season, and advanced to third on Henry Blanco's infield single. He scored on Daryle Ward's ground out. Sound familiar? Another run scored with no balls leaving the infield.

In the sixth, Phillies Starter Joe Blanton ran into trouble. He walked Theriot to lead off the inning and followed that up with a walk to Derek Lee. The stage was set for Aramis again, but on a 3-1 pitch he hit a shallow fly ball for the first out. Mark DeRosa walked and that ended the game for Blanton. Former Cub Scott Eyre came on (thinking of his World Series share) and walked Kosuke to tie the game up. Good thing he did too, or Ryan Theriot's family may be making funeral arrangements. With Theriot on third, Blanton bounced one to the plate. It was blocked, but still kicked clear to the wall. Theriot's first move was back to third, and he wasn't able to score. I could read Lou's lips following the play. Let's just say he wasn't real happy. And I didn't know Jesus' middle name rhymed with clucking.

In the seventh, Jeff Samardizja pitched for Chicago. He ran into some trouble, but was aided by a questionable (come on I'm a Cub fan, I am not going to say bad call) at first on Ryan Howard's ground ball to end the inning with no damage. That put him in position for the win should Chicago score in their half of the seventh.

And why wouldn't they score with Sarge singing the seventh inning stretch....even with the Bernie Mac hat on. With one out, Alfonso Soriano hit a home run to center field to give the Cubs the lead.

Carlos Marmol relieved Shark with one out in the eighth. He struck out both batters he faced in the eighth. He pitched the ninth as well to earn his seventh save of the year, picking up one more K.