9/6/08 @ Cincinnati; W 14-9; (86-56)

The Chicago Cubs threw a party for Derek Lee's birthday. It was a good one too with five home runs, eighteen total hits, and a convincing win to break that nasty losing streak.

Lee went four for six with three runs batted in. But it was Alfonso Soriano who stole the show on Lee's 33rd birthday, hitting three home runs for the second time as a Cub. He drove in five runs and scored four times, also tallying four hits.

Mark DeRosa finished an impressive third in this rbi competition with three of his own all on a home run in the seventh inning.

The Cubs had the lead extended to 11-1 in the eighth inning. Jason Marquis had another solid outing for the Cubs. Something much needed by this worn out pitching staff. The bullpen however, didn't follow up Marquis' solid outing and allowed the game to get much closer.

In the end it didn't matter. The win was therapeutic, at least for this fan, if not for the entire Cub faithful. I am sure the team itself breathed a sigh of relief in picking up their first win of September.

The Cubs will try to pick up their first series win with a victory on Sunday. Sean Marshall will spot start again for Chicago. Their wounded, Harden and Zambrano, will both try to come back later this week.