7/3/08 @ San Francisco; L 3-8; (51-35)

The Cubs scored three runs off Tim Lincecum in six innings, getting to the San Francisco bullpen in the seventh. The only problem was they didn’t score against the bullpen, and their own bullpen gave up four runs of their own.

Going into the seventh inning the Cubs trailed 3-4. Thanks to a two out two run double from Mark DeRosa in the sixth, the Cubs seemed in position to win a come from behind close ball game.

Instead, in the seventh Jose Ascaino allowed a single to lead off the inning. Then he royally screwed up his attempt to field a sacrifice bunt, allowing all runners to be safe at first and third with no out. Lou went to Marmol to face Rich Aurilia. Carlos repeated his performance from yesterday giving up a three run homer.

Carlos has struggled as of late. In his last seven games, he has given up ten earned runs, been charged with two losses, and blew the lead once. Needless to say, the Cubs need him to get out of this funk in a hurry.

The Cubs never recovered, failing to score in their last two innings. Again they fail to win back to back games.

Chicago welcomed back two of their offensive players today. Reed Johnson returned from the DL and Aramis Ramirez returned from a three game absence.

Reed Johnson made his return known early as he doubled to lead off the game. Lou put Reed back in the lead off spot and hit Kosuke second. All the talk was how Lou had settled on Kosuke, but Johnson was always in the lead off spot leading up to his DL stint. He scored on a Derek Lee single to give the Cubs the early lead.

Ramirez, on the other hand, continued the drought he had been in before leaving. He went hitless in four at bats, extending to eighteen the number of at bats without a hit. Just like Marmol, he needs to get the ship righted soon.

Luckily for the Cubs, this current lack of consistent success hasn’t caused them to surrender the lead in the NL Central. Both Milwaukee and St. Louis lost yesterday, and the Cubs maintain a 2.5 game lead. Their destiny is in their own hands this weekend as they start a series with the Cardinals tonight.