7/21/08 @ Arizona; L 0-2; (58-41)

Randy Johnson is undefeated in his career against the Chicago Cubs. What a shame for Rich Harden. Harden took a perfect game into the fifth and a no hitter into the sixth, but took the loss for the Cubs who couldn't manage to score a single run. In fact, they only had two runners reach second base all night. Theriot finally was the first Cub to touch third base, but with two outs in the ninth inning.

Harden ended up going seven innings. He gave up only one hit, but it was a home run to Alex Romero. That was his first career home run. Rich struck out ten on the night and walked only two D'backs. That is back to back ten strikeout games in his first two trips to the mound in Cubs' blue. I had no idea what a shut down pitcher this guy was when we made this trade. When he gets a little luck on his side he should roll.

No point in talking offense, since there wasn't any. The Cubs hit the ball harder against Randy Johnson than Arizona did against Harden. Only problem was they were right at people. Theriot's lead off at bat was a foreshadowing of things to come. He ripped a ball down the third base line for what appeared to be a double. Instead Mark Reynolds, Arizona third baseman and National League leader in errors (18), makes a diving stop and throws Theriot out from his knees. Theriot went hitless thus ending his career high hitting streak at thirteen.

It was like that all night long as the Cubs hit balls solid, but only to the warning track for Chris Young to track down. It marked the fourth time this year the Cubs have been shut out. Three of those have been preceded by Cubs pitcher throwing a shutout. Maybe, just maybe, when throwing a shutout, we should allow a run in the ninth from now on, just for luck. Only once this season have we thrown a shutout and come back the next day to even score, much less win.

The offense will need to find some middle ground for this second half run. Consistency will be more important down the stretch. Throwing up gaudy offensive statistics in a single game looks great, but getting two hit the following day doesn't help you gain ground in the pennant race.

Alfonso played in a class A game today, and will try his hand, pun intended, at a Triple A game today. He should be back in the starting lineup no later than Thursday.