6/13/08 @ Blue Jays; L 2-3; (43-25)

The Chicago Cubs are 3-0 at home in June. They have won their last eleven games at Wrigley Field, last losing to the Pirates on May 17th. During that eleven game home winning streak, they are 6-7 on the road. While that has improved during June, they are 4-3 this month while away from Wrigley, the road has not been kind.

Friday June 13th was no exception. The Cubs started a road trip Friday night as well as a 15 game stretch against the American League. They lost 3-2. Sean Gallagher gave up a lead off double to Alex Rios in the bottom of the third. That was followed by back to back home runs by Matt Stairs and Scott Rolen.

I wasn't able to see any of the game, but it doesn't seem Gallagher was sharp, throwing 100 pitches in only five innings. He managed five strike outs compared to only two walks, but allowed seven hits. The Blue Jays didn't score against him other than the third inning. The bullpen was solid, having been given plenty of rest in the Braves series. They put together three scoreless innings to keep the Cubs in contention to win the game.

It was a lack of offense hurting the Cubs tonight. Typical for this season, if they don't score more than three runs, the game doesn't end well. In their last fifteen games, they are 9-0 when they score at least five runs. They are 2-4 when scoring three or less.

Chicago put together eight hits tonight, but managed to score only two runs. Jim Edmonds stayed hot, going 2-3 and driving in a run. Aramis and Kosuke each had two hits as well, and Fukudome scored both Cub runs.

This was the first interleague game of the year, allowing Lou to work a lineup with a DH. Without Soriano, Lou opted for Theriot leading off tonight. In the finale against the Braves he had used Eric Patterson, but tonight he hit in the nine hole. Micah Hoffpauir hit second and got the start at first base while Derek Lee hit third as the DH. The middle of the lineup was the fairly familiar order of Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome, Soto, Edmonds, and DeRosa.

I like Theriot a lot, but I am not sure he is our lead off man. I definitely don't think Hoffpauir is a two hole. I would like to see Lou give Fukudome the nod at the top, followed by Theriot. Let Hoffpauir hit between Edmonds and DeRosa, or drop him in behind Soto.

Regardless of the order, Chicago is going to have to hit better and be more productive on the road. Especially considering tonight was the start of a 22 game stretch where 16 are on the road.