6/10/08 vs Braves; W 10-5; (41-24)

Finally some action. I stole the phrase from our fantasy league commissioner who was reacting to our first big trade and the resulting uproar. I use it in regards to the Cub offense. In the four game series in LA, they only scored eleven runs. The last three games were relatively boring, other than Big Z throwing a tantrum. I am a baseball guy, so I love going to a game when it is a 1-0 pitchers duel. However, this Cub team has me accustomed to, and looking forward to, crooked numbers posted in most innings. Well tonight they delivered.

The game didn't start well as the Braves were the ones putting up crooked numbers. A three run homer in the first put the Cubs down early. Those turned out to be the only runs Ted Lilly gave up. He went 6 2/3 and only gave up two hits and two walks after the first inning. He struck out eight to pick up his sixth win on the season.

The Cub offense took care of the rest. They put up two runs in the second and again in the third. One more in the fourth and again in the seventh put the Cubs up 6-3 heading into the eighth. The Braves weren't done yet, scoring two of their own to pull within a run.

Then the Cubs really opened things up. Soriano scored an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth courtesy of a Derek Lee sac fly. Then Geo hit a three run bomb to stake the Cubs to a five run lead and needing only three outs to win.

Jon Lieber came in to get those three outs. Not before walking one and giving up a hit, forcing Kerry Wood to get up in the bullpen. A double play ball ended the game and let Kerry have the day off.

The whole Cub offense participated today, but the real production came from our 3,4,5 hitters. Lee, Ramirez and Soto combined for six runs, six rbi, and four of the twelve team hits.

DeRosa, Fukudome and Soriano both had two hits apiece. DeRosa's hot streak has resulted in a .309 batting average, good for second on the team.

We had a decent road trip, winning five of nine. But again, there is no place like home for the Cubs this year. Scoring seems to be a lot easier at Wrigley Field than it is on the road.

Game Note: Chipper Jones, expected to miss the first two games of the series, did pinch hit. Lilly walked him with a base open forcing Bobby Cox to use another player to pinch run.