6/17/08 @ Tampa Bay; L 2-3; (45-26)

The Cubs dropped another low scoring game on the road. They had a chance to win when DeRosa singled and Fukudome doubled with one out in the ninth. DeRosa scored on a past ball putting the tying run on third with only one out. Unfortunately, Micah Hoffpauir's pinch hitting experience wasn't good as he struck out looking. Edmonds walked and Reed Johnson laid down a perfect bunt, but Evan Longoria made a fantastic bare handed play to end the game and prevent the run from scoring.



Ryan Dempster threw a decent game, striking out six over five innings, while only allowing one earned run. He just didn't get any run support tonight.



Eric Patterson was sent back to Iowa in favor of Matt Murton. Matt got a start in left field and wasted it. He went 0-3 with two strikeouts. Is the jump from Triple A to the majors so hard? This guy is hitting .298 in Iowa but can't get above the Mendoza line for the big club. I don't know why I am such a Murton fan, but the last couple years I thought he was going to mature to a great player. This year I am not seeing it.



It looks like Reed Johnson has settled in to the lead off spot comfortably. He has gotten the nod from Lou three games in a row, while the rest of the lineup must be coming from a bingo machine. Lou is using the entire team on this trip and juggling the lineup nearly every day.



Reed probably should enjoy the lead off position while he has it. Word is Soriano could be back before the All Star break. Guarantee he gets that spot back when he does return.



The Cubs had not lost the series opener since May 5th prior to this road trip. Now they have lost the opener in both of the last two series....on the road. Big Z will try to get them back on the winning side and set them up to win the series, which would be their sixth out of the last seven. Other than a 2-2 against the Dodgers, the Cubs have won every series since Memorial Day.



They still hold a 3.5 game lead in the Central and a one game lead for the best record in the majors. If Big Z comes through, he guarantees at least a .500 road trip.