6/13/08 @ Blue Jays; L 2-3; (43-25)

The Chicago Cubs are 3-0 at home in June. They have won their last eleven games at Wrigley Field, last losing to the Pirates on May 17th. During that eleven game home winning streak, they are 6-7 on the road. While that has improved during June, they are 4-3 this month while away from Wrigley, the road has not been kind.

Friday June 13th was no exception. The Cubs started a road trip Friday night as well as a 15 game stretch against the American League. They lost 3-2. Sean Gallagher gave up a lead off double to Alex Rios in the bottom of the third. That was followed by back to back home runs by Matt Stairs and Scott Rolen.

I wasn't able to see any of the game, but it doesn't seem Gallagher was sharp, throwing 100 pitches in only five innings. He managed five strike outs compared to only two walks, but allowed seven hits. The Blue Jays didn't score against him other than the third inning. The bullpen was solid, having been given plenty of rest in the Braves series. They put together three scoreless innings to keep the Cubs in contention to win the game.

It was a lack of offense hurting the Cubs tonight. Typical for this season, if they don't score more than three runs, the game doesn't end well. In their last fifteen games, they are 9-0 when they score at least five runs. They are 2-4 when scoring three or less.

Chicago put together eight hits tonight, but managed to score only two runs. Jim Edmonds stayed hot, going 2-3 and driving in a run. Aramis and Kosuke each had two hits as well, and Fukudome scored both Cub runs.

This was the first interleague game of the year, allowing Lou to work a lineup with a DH. Without Soriano, Lou opted for Theriot leading off tonight. In the finale against the Braves he had used Eric Patterson, but tonight he hit in the nine hole. Micah Hoffpauir hit second and got the start at first base while Derek Lee hit third as the DH. The middle of the lineup was the fairly familiar order of Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome, Soto, Edmonds, and DeRosa.

I like Theriot a lot, but I am not sure he is our lead off man. I definitely don't think Hoffpauir is a two hole. I would like to see Lou give Fukudome the nod at the top, followed by Theriot. Let Hoffpauir hit between Edmonds and DeRosa, or drop him in behind Soto.

Regardless of the order, Chicago is going to have to hit better and be more productive on the road. Especially considering tonight was the start of a 22 game stretch where 16 are on the road.

5/27/08 vs Dodgers; W 3-1; (31-21)

It wasn't a nice evening, weather wise. Temperature at game time was a brisk 42 degrees with a 19 mph wind. That didn't stop 39,894 of the Cub faithful from showing up to see the Cubs take a two game to none lead on the Dodgers. The Cubs clinched their first series win in over a week with a 3-1 win for the second night in a row.

The pitchers, with some help from the elements, kept the hitters at bay most of the game. The Cubs broke out in the seventh inning. Maybe they should have Tommy Lasorda sing the seventh inning stretch more often. Ronny Cedeno led off with a walk, but was out at second when Ryan Theriot (pinch hitting for Gallagher) tried to sacrifice. Soriano singled and Theriot made it to third. Mike Fontenot squibbed one between third and short to score Theriot. When the ball was misplayed, the Cubs ended up with two runners and still just one out. DLee flew out to bring up Ramirez. After getting down 0-2 in the count, Ramirez worked Jonathon Broxton for eight pitches and singled in an insurance run. That was a very solid at bat, some think his best of the season.

Kosuke Fukudome made a couple great defensive plays. In the sixth inning he robbed Andre Ethier on a diving catch coming in a low liner. Then in the eighth, he made it look easy as he sprinted a long way into right center to rob Juan Pierre of extra bases. Jim Edmonds made a nice running catch in deep center, no theatrics on his part this time, on James Loney in the sixth right after Kosuke's diving play.

Marmol and Wood finished up for Gallagher, who himself went seven strong innings to earn the win. Marmol didn't make it easy walking the lead off batter and loading the bases with only one out. To his credit, he settled in and worked out of it with no runs allowed. Woody pitched the ninth without hitting a single Dodger. He picked up two strikeouts along with his twelfth save.

5/16/08 vs. Pirates; W 7-4; (26-16)

Today was Alfonso Soriano drawstring bag day at Wrigley Field. It was also Alfonso Soriano leadoff home run day for the third time this week! He followed that up with a home run in his second at bat, giving him four rbi and extending the Cubs lead to 6-0. I am not sure what he did while he was on the disabled list, but it sure worked. He has given this team the boost they need and solidified himself as the leadoff hitter. Hitting is contagious, and the example set by Soriano in leading off the game is definitely helping the rest of the team.

Geovany Soto and Mark DeRosa added solo shots and Aramis Ramirez had the only other Cubs rbi on a groundout. The Cubs only outhit the Pirates 8-7, but used the long ball to make their knocks more productive than the Pirates hits. The Pirates rallied in the eighth with two long balls of their own. That only served to make the game close enough for Kerry Wood to earn his ninth save. Woody pitched a perfect ninth in what would have been just another non save appearance, except for the three runs given up by Howry in the eighth.

Defensively, Kosuke Fukudome got a day off. Ronny Cedeno started at second base which moved Mark DeRosa to right field. He made a great play in right field to end the fifth inning. Freddy Sanchez hit a long fly ball that DeRosa had to run for. The wind continued to carry the ball and DeRosa had to make a leaping catch that caused him to tumble and roll into the ivy covered wall. I think he could have made the play more routine, but has already learned from Edmonds how to milk those into a Sportscenter Top 10 play!

Edmonds had the day off today with the left hander Gorzelanny pitching. He probably will sit again when lefty Zach Duke throws for the Pirates in the next game. Carlos Zambrano will be on the hill for the Cubs as they attempt to move to 8-0 on the season against the Pirates.