Z!

The Chicago Cubs moved to 13-6 on the year with a 7-1 win over the New York Mets.

It may look like a blowout but the Cubs only led 2-1 going into the 8th inning before Felix Pie and company blew it wide open. Derrek Lee led off the inning hitting a little grounder to shortstop where Jose Reyes bobbled the ball allowing Lee to reach safely at 1st. The next batter, Aramis Ramirez, was hit by a pitch. Kosuke Fukudome had a great 10 pitch at-bat and on the 10th pitch he lined a single through the left side of the infield loading the bases for Mark DeRosa. DeRosa struck out and the next batter Geovany Soto flied out in the infield. Ronny Cedeño got it to a 2-2 count before lining a single up the middle score 2 runs and giving the Cubs a 4-1 lead. After Heilman was taken out for Jorge Sosa, Felix Pie lined a home run into the right field bleachers busting the game wide open and giving the Cubs a 7-1 lead. Good teams take advantage of other teams mistakes and the Cubs took advantage of a Jose Reyes error and scored 5 runs in the 8th inning busting the game wide open.

Kerry Wood came into the game in a non-save situation and sent the top 3 Mets hitters down in order giving the Cubs their 5th straight victory.

Carlos Zambrano had another great outing tonight as he went 7 innings striking out 4 and giving up 5 hits and 1 run. Zamrbano lowers his season ERA to an outstanding 2.67 and he continues to avoid walking hitters something he struggled with last year.

If the Diamondbacks lose tonight to the Giants (Down 2-1) the Cubs tie the Diamondbacks for the best record in baseball. I know it is early, but this is the latest I can remember with the Cubs having a share of the best record in baseball. Another rarity occurring is the fact that both baseball teams in Chicago are in first place in their respective division.

The Cubs play an afternoon game against the Mets tomorrow as the struggling Ted Lilly (0-3) takes on journeyman pitcher Nelson Figueroa (1-0). The game will begin at 1:20 Central and will be seen on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

Mets @ Cubs 4/21/08 6:05 PM ESPN

Mets
Reyes, SS
Castillo, 2B
Wright, 3B
Beltran, CF
Delgado, 1B
Church, RF
Casanova, C
Chavez, LF
Maine, P

Cubs
Johnson, CF
Theriot, SS
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Fukudome, RF
DeRosa, LF
Soto, C
Fontenot, 2B
Zambrano, P

Cubs Sweep the Bucs;Cub Nation is back

After a long absence I am finally back to blogging and the Cubs are off to a terrific 12-6 start and are on top of the NL Central. The Cubs continued their winning ways with a 13-6 victory today over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Reed Johnson has fit in very nicely for the injured Alfonso Soriano and has proved to be a great pick-up early on this year. Reed led the game off with a double only to be driven in on a Ryan Theriot base hit.

Ryan Dempster started off the game giving a leadoff base hit to Nate McLouth and a base hit to Freddy Sanchez but after he got Jason Bay to ground into a 5-3 double play he did not let up a base hit until the 5th inning.

Dempster did struggle in the 5th inning though giving up a leadoff single to Xavier Nady. Jose Bautista then hit a double into the ivy sending Nady to 3rd. Dempster hit the next batter loading the bases for Doug Mientkiewicz who singled driving in Nady and trimming the Cubs lead to four. Ryan then walked the next batter Nate McLouth making it a 5-2 Cubs lead. Dempster then got Freddy Sanchez to ground into a force out making it a 5-3 Cubs lead. After a Jason Bay walk to load up the bases again, Lou let Dempster stay in the game to try and get the win. Dempster struck out Adam LaRoche to end the inning and the Cubs poured it on after that putting the game out of reach with a 5 run 5th.

Aramis Ramirez had another big day going 4-5 with a home run and 5 RBI's. Derrek Lee
went 2-4 with 2 RBI's. But the story of the day was Ryan Theriot who went 4-5 with 2 RBI's.

The Cubs go to 6-0 against the Pirates this year and 9-3 against the NL Central. The Cubs continue to dominate left handed pitching something that they had trouble with last year.

One note, Kosuke Fukudome was scratched from this game due to swelling from a cyst above his right eye. The article mentions that it was the first time this year Fukudome was not in the lineup but I think Lou gave him the day off a few days ago. Fukudome should be in the lineup Monday Night against the Mets.

The Mets game will be seen locally on WCIU and nationally on ESPN. Carlos Zambrano (2-1) will face John Maine (1-1) as the Cubs look to win 7 of their last 8 games.

The Cubs faced John Maine twice last year and hit him hard both times:
May 15th, 2007
August 4th, 2007

Cubs Push for the Playoffs

http://www.mediafire.com/?xz4oftwomxb

State of Cub Nation

We won't be around much this offseason but any trade rumors or breaking news will be posted here. Otherwise, we will see you March 31st, 2008 for another great year of Cubs baseball.
GO CUBS!

Comedy Central

It's a stumble to the finish. Nobody wants the NL Central crown. The Cubs lost for the 4th time in-a-row and the 5th time in 6 days. The Cubs are 0-4 since Alfonso Soriano got hurt on Sunday Night versus the Mets. The Brewers got crushed today by a score of 19-4. Rookie sensation Gallardo gave up 11 runs in 3 innings today. The Cubs lost by a score of 8-2 as the Astros completed the sweep. Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, and Jason Lane all hit homers today for the Astros. The only Cub player to homer in this series was Matt Murton.
Good news today was Felix Pie was called up as Angel Pagan mysteriously went to the DL. The Cubs now have Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot, Felix Pie, and Matt Murton all called up and Giovanni Soto should be called up soon.
The Cubs are in Colorado tomorrow night trying to end the drought. Ted Lilly will take the hill and hopefully he will pick up another victory.

Cubs Stand Pat/Cubs Hang With Brewers

Jim Hendry decided to stand pat yesterday on the Trade Deadline day. Some thought he would go after Ken Griffey Jr or Adam Dunn but Jimbo didn't budge.

Meanwhile, the Cubs won last night by a score of 7-3 hanging with the Brewers yet again. Jacque Jones hit a key double that gave the Cubs a 5-3 lead and Jason Kendall put the game out of reach in the 7th. The Brewers won in 13 inning last night thanks to a Geoff Jenkins homer. The Cubs are still 1 game back of the Brewers.