7/28/08 @ Milwaukee; W 6-4; (62-44)

In a back and forth game, the Cubs took the lead three times against Milwaukee. Each time was courtesy of Derek Lee.

In the first inning, Alfonso Soriano led off with a double off the left field wall. After a Reed Johnson pop up on the infield, and a stolen base by Alfonso, Lee singled to right field to put the Cubs up 1-0.

Alfonso extended that lead in the third with a solo shot to left field. Against Florida, a good majority of his hits were to right field and right center. Tonight he seemed comfortable getting around on the ball and driving it to left field. He is back.

Ted Lilly pitched well with the two run lead. Allowing only two singles and a walk through four innings, he had set down nine in a row with one out in the fifth. Then the damage started. JJ Hardy homered. Ryan Braun followed that up with a shot of his own and the game was tied. But the Brewers weren't done. Fielder singled. Corey Hart doubled to score Prince, but was out trying to get third on the play. Bill Hall singled for the Brewers fifth straight hit, but was picked off first to end the inning. Thank the poor base running for two outs.

Coming right back in the top of the seventh, the Cubs loaded the bases with one out and Derek Lee coming to the plate. He hit a ground ball to the shortstop that seemed like a double play. But the ball was hit slowly, and Reed Johnson had time to get deep into second base and forced an errant throw that allowed two runs to score. Cubs 4 Milwaukee 3.

That also forced CC Sabathia from the game. The Cubs really had a successful night against Sabathia, hitting him up for the most earned runs since joining the Brewers. They only had three strikeouts against him while getting nine base hits. Alfonso Soriano was especially locked in as even his third at bat ground out was a rocket that Sabathia deflected to the shortstop.

In the bottom of the seventh Bob Howry relieved Ted Lilly. With two outs, Russell Branyan hit for the pitchers' spot. With two strikes, he launched a moon shot to left field to tie the game once again.

Both teams were scoreless in the eighth inning, taking us to the ninth tied 4-4. After Fukudome struck out, Soriano worked a walk. Fontentot was brought in to hit for Howry, and he too drew a walk. Enter Derek Lee. Already with two rbi on the night, Lee doubled to right field to score Soriano. Fontentot was held at third, probably because Mike Quade had gotten Derek Lee thrown out earlier trying to score.

The Brewers intentionally walked Ramirez to load the bases. Soto struck out for the second out of the inning. Mark DeRosa hit a ball deep in the hole to shortstop. JJ Hardy tried to force Ramirez at second but was too late. Cubs 6 Brewers 4.

Carlos Marmol was the closer for the Cubs in this game. He came in as dominant as we have seen in a while. He had two consecutive strikeouts to start the inning and it didn't look like Hall or Cameron had a chance of getting wood on the ball. He did allow a two out walk before getting a fly ball to Soriano for the final out of the game.

This was a fun one to watch. Tense at points, but a real good battle between two solid teams. The Cubs had six of their eight starters get a base hit last night. With the big bats of Lee and Soriano going, that is a recipe for success. The Cubs now hold a two game lead going into the matchup of Sheets and Zambrano.