6/20/08 vs White Sox; W 4-3; (46-28)

Aramis Ramirez is a hero in Chicago today. Well, half of Chicago. He led off the ninth inning with a solo home run, his second in as many at bats, to defeat the White Sox 4-3. The comeback win preserved the home winning streak, now at twelve games, as well as the Windy City bragging rights.

On a day where the game was delayed by rain, and the wind was a paltry 5 mph, home runs were the order of the day. The Cubs scored first, but on ground out double play. The White Sox were the first to go deep. In the second Jermaine Dye hit a solo shot to tie the game. Then in the third, A.J. Pierzynski hit a two run shot to put the Sox in front.

It stayed that way until the seventh. Kenny Chesney must have brought some luck because WGN had their first back to back jacks winner in over ten years. Derek Lee went first and Aramis followed suit to tie the game.

Bob Howry had relieved Lilly in the seventh to get the final out. He pitched the eighth, inducing a double play after a lead off single. I didn't think we would see Carlos Marmol today, and Howry did a fine job.

Kerry Wood took the mound in the ninth. After a lead off double, he worked his way out of the inning. The biggest roar came when he struck out Pierzynski to end the inning. I am sure it was for the Cubs getting out of the inning, not because everyone hates A.J.

That led to Aramis' heroics. Go Cubs Go. Hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs are going to win today.

Ted Lilly deserves mention. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, striking out eight. Aside from the two home runs, he held the Sox scoreless. He put the Cubs in position to win, and with offensive support a little earlier, he would have earned it himself. Instead, Woody was the beneficiary and earned the W.

Speaking of offense, the Cubs put together ten hits, but didn't capitalize. Three double plays took the life out of three innings. Besides Ramirez, Fukudome, Theriot, and Matt Murton got two hits apiece. Murton has to be happy about a 2 for 3 performance after going 1 for his first five. Now they were both singles, but we'll take some consistency at this point.

Regardless of the analysis, I am still pleased to fly the W flag today. After the last road trip, I am taking any win I can get.

6/17/08 @ Tampa Bay; L 2-3; (45-26)

The Cubs dropped another low scoring game on the road. They had a chance to win when DeRosa singled and Fukudome doubled with one out in the ninth. DeRosa scored on a past ball putting the tying run on third with only one out. Unfortunately, Micah Hoffpauir's pinch hitting experience wasn't good as he struck out looking. Edmonds walked and Reed Johnson laid down a perfect bunt, but Evan Longoria made a fantastic bare handed play to end the game and prevent the run from scoring.



Ryan Dempster threw a decent game, striking out six over five innings, while only allowing one earned run. He just didn't get any run support tonight.



Eric Patterson was sent back to Iowa in favor of Matt Murton. Matt got a start in left field and wasted it. He went 0-3 with two strikeouts. Is the jump from Triple A to the majors so hard? This guy is hitting .298 in Iowa but can't get above the Mendoza line for the big club. I don't know why I am such a Murton fan, but the last couple years I thought he was going to mature to a great player. This year I am not seeing it.



It looks like Reed Johnson has settled in to the lead off spot comfortably. He has gotten the nod from Lou three games in a row, while the rest of the lineup must be coming from a bingo machine. Lou is using the entire team on this trip and juggling the lineup nearly every day.



Reed probably should enjoy the lead off position while he has it. Word is Soriano could be back before the All Star break. Guarantee he gets that spot back when he does return.



The Cubs had not lost the series opener since May 5th prior to this road trip. Now they have lost the opener in both of the last two series....on the road. Big Z will try to get them back on the winning side and set them up to win the series, which would be their sixth out of the last seven. Other than a 2-2 against the Dodgers, the Cubs have won every series since Memorial Day.



They still hold a 3.5 game lead in the Central and a one game lead for the best record in the majors. If Big Z comes through, he guarantees at least a .500 road trip.

4/20/08 vs. Pirates; W 13-6; (13-6)

I have never been so happy to be wrong. Braden Looper didn't pick up his fourth win today. The Giants beat the Cardinals and the Reds took care of the Brewers. That moves YOUR CHICAGO CUBS into first place in the NL Central for the first time this year. Mark your calendar, write down the date.... April 20th. The first date of the 2008 season that the Cubs sit atop the NL Central standings. Here's to Sep 29th being the last time during the season they are in first.

As for this game, where should I start?

• For the second game in a row the Cubs scored 13 runs. The run total also marks the third time this season, all in the last five games, that they have scored 12 or more runs in a game.
• Aramis Ramirez had his first great game of the year, going four for five, with four RBIs. Ryan Theriot also had four hits extending his hitting streak to seven games. During that streak he has raised his average 109 points. The Cubs now have six everyday players hitting over .300, whereas after the first week of the season they only had two hitting over .200.
• Matt Murton got the start I was looking for him to get. He did drive in two runs and get a base knock, but he left eight of his teammates on base. Considering the slow start most of the team had, I am willing to cut him some slack for his first eight at bats. Driving in more of those runners today though might have earned more time in the starting lineup.
• The Cubs tallied 18 hits today, all by the eight starting position players. For the season the team has the second most hits in the NL. Second only by one hit to the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Ryan Dempster picked up his third win of the season, claiming the team lead from Zambrano.

With the record sitting at 12-6, we are at a critical point....as far as superstitious history is concerned. A loss tomorrow and we are 12-7, the same record as the ill fated 2003 team after 19 games. A win tomorrow and we are 13-6, the same record as the 1908 Cubs at the same point in their season. I won't give up on the season should we fall to the Mets. I will keep my eye out for black cats, billy goats, and Steve Bartman at the game tomorrow night.

4/19/08 vs. Pirates; W 13-1; (11-6)

Alright then. Cubs cruise past the Pirates on a D Lee home run, an RBI and a couple runs from Kosuke, and a couple RBIs from DeRosa. Sounds like a lot of our game recaps this year doesn't it. So let's skip the game recap and go straight to roster moves.

Matt Murton was called up from Triple A and Eric Patterson was sent down. As I, and many other Cub fans, have argued, Murton should have gotten the call to start with. He pinch hit in the sixth and stayed in the game in left field. He didn't get a hit in his two at bats, but that didn't matter today.

In another minor league note, Al from bleedcubbieblue says that Jeff Samardzija is performing well and may be moved up to Triple A soon. I know I would like to see him promoted...not because of baseball....just because my boys and I followed him at Notre Dame. They are more interested at their age when they have a connection to individual players. Plus, we can have a Harry Caray impersonator spell his name backwards.

In his game recap on The Bullpen, Brian says we are searching for an everyday center fielder. CoCo Crisp is the name mentioned. I don't know that I like that idea. This is a career .280 hitter who only has one extra base hit this year. Granted he is faster than Reed Johnson so he may get to a few more balls and may steal a couple more bases. I still agree with Brian that trading pitching for him is too much. If they'll take Pie and Cedeno for him, then sure make the trade. That way we still have Murton on the roster when Soriano comes back.

Back to the game....with this win, and a little help from the Tim Lincecum and the Giants, we move to within a half game of first place. With Looper throwing for the Cards today, probably not a chance that they lose again. We'll take care of our business and sweep the Pirates for the second time this season. Then we move into a series with the Mets while the Brewers and Cards beat each other up.