9/10/08 @ St. Louis; W 4-3; (87-58)

The W Flag is flying again. It hasn't flown in my backyard often lately. So I'll take any win I can get. And any win is exactly what Chicago got. They scored four runs in the second inning, three unearned after two errors by Cardinals substitute third baseman. Just like the day before, they never touched the plate again. Then Kerry Wood picked up a save, but not before allowing two runs on home run by Ryan Ludwick.

The bright and shining performance was by Ted Lilly. He went eight innings with only one run allowed. In addition, he plowed over Yadier Molina on an attempt to score in the second inning. He was out, but it was sure nice to see the fight...as if we expected anything less from Lilly.

Felix Pie got the scoring started for Chicago. Following singles by Fukudome and DeRosa, Pie singled to drive in the first run. Errors on an attempted sacrifice bunt and Soriano's ground ball allowed two more runs to score. Aramis Ramirez came through with a two out single to plate the final run.

Soriano also made a nice throw from left to cut down a run on a two out single. Defensively Chicago was solid, with a slight exception for Wood. After a couple rough outings, he at least managed the save. It would have made us all feel better if he didn't allow a two run bomb in the process. Glad it wasn't a one run lead.

Regardless, one more win. One more game off the magic number. One more game won without Harden and Z. Look at the major league standings. The recent slump notwithstanding, Chicago still owns the third best record in all of baseball, only one game back of the Angels.

The slump isn't a uniquely Chicago experience. It has happened to the Angels and the Red Sox. Teams that were playing poorly...Houston Astros...are suddenly hot. Two and a half weeks to go, our fortunes will change.