7/27/08 vs. Marlins; W 9-6; (61-44)

When I turned on the game, Derek Lee had just hit an rbi ground out to Hanley Ramirez. That put the Cubs on the board, but they already trailed the Marlins by five runs. Needless to say, I was disappointed. More of the same I assumed. Aramis Ramirez was the first hitter I saw, and he doubled into the ivy to make it a 5-2 game at the end of the third.

I was cautiously optimistic that there was plenty of time left in the game. The cautious part came from the recent struggles this team has had in scoring runs and holding leads. The three pitch strikeout to Kosuke Fukudome leading off the fourth didn't help things. But then things started to turn. Henry Blanco singled. Jason Marquis wanted to sacrifice, but VandenHurk couldn't find the strike zone and walked him. Alfonso Soriano came to the plate, already 2 for 2 on the day. He hit an opposite field drive into the right field stands that tied the game. His energy had seemed to help the offense upon his return from the DL. Today he was doing it himself.

The lead didn't last long as Dan Uggla hit a ball to Waveland Ave. to lead off the Marlin fifth. The 6-5 lead was the way the game stayed until the seventh inning. Pat Fitzgerald, head coach of the Northwestern football team, sang the seventh inning stretch and brought the Cubs some luck.

Derek Lee led off the inning with a home run. That was the first run the Cubs had scored against the Marlin relievers in this four game series. The game was tied, but the Chicago offense wasn't done.

Aramis singled to right, his second hit of the day. Edmonds sacrificed, but Ramirez was out at second. With one away, DeRosa walked. Kosuke popped up for the second out of the inning. Daryle Ward came in to hit for Blanco, and the Marlins changed pitchers. Nelson threw a wild pitch, allowing both runners to advance. The Marlins chose to walk Ward, and deal with the pitchers' spot.

Mike Fontenot was called on to hit. The Cubs broadcast showed a stat that over the last twenty games, Fontenot is hitting .357 with 5 home runs. He didn't disappoint today. He drove a one hopper off the wall in left field driving in three runs.

The Cubs called on Jeff Samardzija to pitch the eighth. He did so well, they called on him again in the ninth. He picked up his first career major league save. Samardzija retired all six Marlins he faced, striking out three in the process. The final out was a well hit ball by Jorge Cantu, but Edmonds made a diving catch in left center to end the game. The smile on Samardzija's face was wider than his hair is long.

With Houston rallying to beat the Brewers, the Cubs are alone again atop the NL Central. Cub fans can be happy about that. Even more, I think Cub fans saw more positive signs of an offensive resurgence. Soriano had his best game since coming off the DL. His first home run, his first multi hit game, and more rbi than the other games combined. That will give confidence to his team mates.

The other positive was Ramirez. He had three two hit games in the series against the Marlins. His bat, as has been said numerous times, is vital to the Cubs success. If both he and Soriano hit, runs will begin to pile up.