7/31/08 @ Milwaukee; W 11-4; (65-44)

Rich Harden finally earned a win as a Cub. He worked six scoreless innings before surrendering a home run to Prince Fielder. Chicago's offense finally supported him too, spotting him five runs by the fourth inning.

Coincidentally, did you notice that the only run he gave up was on a solo home run. The only three runs he has given up as a Cub are on solo home runs. One in each of his last three starts. To say the other teams can't get a rally going against him is putting it mildly.

He only struck out nine today, but he didn't walk a single Brewer. He left after the seventh having thrown 105 pitches.

Most of the scoring came late in the game. In the last three innings the teams combined for ten runs, after only posting five through the first six. Actually, Jim Edmonds scored five through the first six. He had a solo home run and a grand slam in his first two plate appearances. Everyone else took longer to get warmed up.

Soriano and Fukudome both homered in the eighth. Ramirez had an rbi double in the eighth and Fontenot drove it two runs with a ninth inning double. That was after Eric Gagne was ejected for throwing his 3-0 pitch BEHIND Jim Edmonds to lead off the inning.

This series to me said the Chicago Cubs have the rotation that can carry them in the playoffs. Most of the talk prior to this four game set was how Chicago's offense would fare against Sabathia and Sheets. The offense did just fine, as they have most of the season.

The Cubs four starters for this series only gave up five total runs. Three were from Lilly. Zambrano didn't allow a run and Dempster and Harden only gave up one apiece. Shutdown pitching combined with this offensive firepower.....UNBELIEVABLE!

With a St. Louis loss, the Cubs now own a five game cushion in the NL Central. This on Thursday night after they were in a dead heat on Sunday. Impressive play from these Chicago Cubs when the chips were down.