9/14/08 vs. Houston @ Milwaukee; W 5-0; (89-58)

The first no hitter since 1972! Big Z is back in a big way! These headlines steal the thunder...or add to Cecil Cooper's argument...that Milwaukee is not neutral. Combined with a double header sweep of the Brewers by the Phillies, Chicago easily had it's best day in two weeks.

The game started with Alfonso Soriano hitting a lead off home run. That proved to be enough for Z, who allowed only a walk and a hit batter through nine innings. Chicago added four more in the third. With two outs, consecutive hits by Lee, Ramirez and Soto gave the Cubs a five run advantage.

But tonight was about Z. After concern over his health, and five really shaky starts, he has shown us he is fine. 110 pitches tonight says "my arm is fine." Not only was he healthy...he was excellent. 73 were strikes. He had a season high ten strikeouts.

Two days off and a day like Sunday helps Chicago fans have a short memory. The last two weeks are fading away quickly. There are no more days off for Chicago, so they will need to play like they did today more often than not. Another win today and then Milwaukee comes to Wrigley. Four in a row makes Chicago NL Central champs!