4/15/08 vs. Reds; W 9-5; (8-5)

Homecoming!


Often times it is bittersweet. We return to the site of our former glory only to realize we are merely a memory, if that, to the current team and fans. Maybe for Dusty Baker and Corey Patterson it was a little better, since some of their team mates are still here. The result was entirely one sided, and for them it wasn't good.


The Cubs started early with Mark DeRosa hitting a two run homer in the second. That shot regained the lead after Encarnacion plated Brandon Phillips in the top of the inning. Ken Griffey hit number 595 in the third inning putting the Reds up by two.


Then, in the fifth inning, the Cubs took and held the lead. After Dempster lead off the inning with an out, Fontenot doubled and Theriot walked. That brought Derek Lee to the plate, who promptly cleared the bases with a shot to center, his fifth home run of the season.


DeRosa and Lee both had multi hit games, as did Theriot and Fukudome on the way to fourteen hits for the Cubs.


Dempster finally surrendered, after a thirteen inning streak of no earned runs. Still, only giving up three runs on a night with the wind blowing out like it was is a solid effort. Michael Wuertz on the other hand has a separate streak going. For his second straight appearance, he didn't record an out, and oh yeah, gave up a home run.


Carlos Marmol was amazing again picking up his fourth hold of the season. Side note...if we can track "holds" why can't we go back to tracking GWRBI? He struck out the side in the eighth after coming in during the seventh to help Dempster out of a two on and no out jam. He has given up only five hits and two walks in over ten innings while striking out twelve. This guy is solid. Plus he is proving he can go a couple innings each day which is probably better use of him than in the closing spot.


The only down side is that we lost Alfonso to an injury. He strained his calf in the top of the first and didn't even record an at bat. Fontenot hit for him and DeRosa moved to left. Not a bad lineup in my opinion as I have been pining for Fontenot to get a few more at bats. Let's see what he does now that he probably gets a chance to play every day. I wish I had seen the play that he made defensively. See The Bullpen for an idea of how important it was.

When you are there, look at his position on center field. I disagree. I'll take Reed Johnson over Pie for now. I am looking forward to tonight's lineup to see what Lou thinks.