At 20 years old he had tied the MLB record for strikeouts in a 9 inning game. He went on to have a solid 13-6 rookie season which included rookie of the year honors. Yet towards the end of his rookie campaign we had a glimpse of the injury laden career that lay ahead. He sat out nearly a month towards the end of the season due to soreness in his elbow. During spring training the following season the excitement was ended as elbow issues forced Wood to have Tommy John surgery.

Wood returned in 2000 with mixed results in the win/loss column but an uncanny knack for strikeouts. In four of his first 5 seasons he had over 200 strikeouts with a career high in 2003 of 266. 2003 was also the year that Cubs fans had an unfair temptation of hope! Wood was joined by another phenom, Mark Prior. Prior in his second big league year was 18-6 and paired with Wood, was a dominating duo.

Yet, the curse of the billy goat decided the excitement was enough. Kerry Wood was the fastest pitcher to 1000 strikeouts in both age and innings pitched. Yet his 2004 total of 144 strikeouts was the last time he ever had over 100 strikeouts in a season. He, along with Prior, was riddled with injuries and would never reach the highs of 2003. Wood was pushed into different roles as he bounced between teams, who were hoping for a resurrection but were let down as his arm let him down. Kerry Wood was a suitable bullpen man, even a closer, racking up 63 saves during his career. He was oft-injured and missed many games. He never pitched more than 66 innings after 2004.

May 6th 1998 Kerry Wood struck out 20 batters in one game and on May 18th 2012 Kerry Wood retired never becoming Nolan Ryan. His career will be defined by 1 game and a litany of injuries.

I have to say, it felt different watching the Cubs this week than it has in a while, maybe even all season: it was actually enjoyable. It really has almost felt like a chore to watch the Cubs lately. The offense has been anemic at best, constantly betraying good starting pitching. Even when the offense has done enough to get a win for the starter, the bullpen has allowed the opposition to come back, typically thanks to poor control.

This week has been anything but boring, even though it started otherwise. We were treated to more rain to start the week, raining out the Cubs opener against the White Sox at Wrigley. It’s that kind of weather that has caused the Cubs to play the fewest games in the Majors, which will mean that the Cubs will have limited off days the rest of the way.

The Cubs took the field on Wednesday and were down 2-0 to John Danks before batting twice. 2 runs were all Danks would need, as he shut down the Cubs for 7 plus innings on the way to a 4-1 victory. Ryan Dempster put together a quality start in spite of some SERIOUS control issues (6 walks). The Cubs never really seemed to have a chance.

It was more of the same in game 2, at least to start with. Carlos Zambrano turned in another strong performance, but fatigued in his last 2 innings, giving up all 3 of his runs in the 6th and 7th. Even so, the Cubs found themselves down only 3-1 after 7, handing the ball to Carlos Marmol to keep the deficit small.

Marmol failed to complete his task, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits in 2/3 of an inning. The 4 run deficit seemed to be far too much to surmount, but Micah Hoffpauir and Alfonso Soriano reached to bring the tying run on deck, before Scott Linebrink retired Ryan Theriot and Milton Bradley harmlessly.

Derrek Lee, the Cubs only hot hitter at that point, then brought the Cubs to within one with a massively important 3 run homer. Before the crowd even had time to quiet down after the big shot, Geovany Soto tied things up with a homerun to left, sending Wrigley into a frenzy.

Kevin Gregg held the Sox down in the 9th to open the door for the Cubs to win it. Reed Johnson pinch hit for the then ice cold Kosuke Fukudome and reached with a clean single. Andres Blanco put him in scoing position with a sac bunt for Aaron Miles and Soriano. Miles was retired, but Soriano got just enough of a Matt Thorton pitch to loft it into the outfield for a gamewinner.

I guess we should have put two and two together after the Cubs dramatic victory. The Cubs showed that flash and the Indians were coming into town, fresh off of an ugly sweep against the Brewers that saw them repeatedly give up leads.

The Cubs tested that theory as much as they could, digging a sizable 7-0 hole against Indians ace Cliff Lee. Lee was very good, but the Cubs chipped away with solo homers by Reed Johnson and the now scalding Derrek Lee. Once Milton Bradley singled off of Lee to open the 8th, he was yanked for Joe Smith. The Cubs managed to scratch to within 1 run with a 4 spot in the 8th, setting up a showdown between Kerry Wood and his former team in a 1 run game.

Wood retired Milton Bradley to set up an at bat against Derrek Lee, who yanked a mid 90′s fastball in on the hands out of the park down the left field line in perhaps the strongest sign to this point that he is regaining some of the power so many of us (including me) thought to be lost.

Kevin Gregg navigated a minefield of a 10th inning (over 30 pitches and 2 fielding errors) to keep the game tied. Soriano again was in the thick of a Cubs rally, walking with 2 outs, stealing second and coming home on a Ryan Theriot spinning top of a walk off single that caromed past Victor Martinez.

The Cubs did not have to dig out of quite as big of a hole on Saturday to beat the Indians, but they made up for it by playing 13 innings. The bullpen was very solid in relief of Ted Lilly (other than a bad 7th inning capped by Carlos Marmol walking in the tying run) that sent the game to extras.

The two teams exchanged scoreless frames until the 13th, when David Patton yielded a homerun to Luis Valbuena (who decided he’s a Cub killer this weekend). Kerry Wood again was put in a save situation in the bottom of the inning and promptly allowed the tying run to reach base in the form of Fukudome via single.

Fukudome, with Koyie Hill at the plate, attempted a steal with a full count. With a good throw, he likely would have been doubled off after a swing and miss by Hill. However, Kelly Shoppach launched his try into right center, allowing Fukudome to not only slide safely into second, but move to third with 1 out.

Andres Blanco singled up the middle against a drawn in infield to tie the game. Aaron Miles dumped a single down the left field line with Blanco on the move, which put the tying run on third with 1 out. Jake Fox was in for Soriano, but he didn’t get a chance to play hero, because Wood uncorked a wild fastball to allow Blanco to score the winning run.

Randy Wells took the mound today as the Cubs sought the sweep. Wells has been the poster boy for the Cubs struggles of late. He had a 0-3 record in 7 starts in spite of a 2.55 ERA and 5 quality starts. Today, things were quickly different for Wells and the Cubs, as the Cubs took a lead in the 2nd with a Geovany Soto homerun, who is continuing to show signs of life after an anemic start.

The Cubs did something then that they have failed to do at almost every juncture this season: add insurance runs. They scored 1 in the 4th and 4 in the 5th to take an oddly comfortable 6-0 lead. The Cubs held on as Wells allowed 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings, earning his first major league win, which has to feel like a load off his back.

The Cubs face a packed schedule this week, and thanks to past bad weather, will have to deal with a rough travel schedule. They head to Atlanta Sunday evening for a single makeup game (Ryan Dempster vs. Javier Vazquez) before traveling back north to face the first place Tigers for a 3 game set.

Make sure to check out game 1 on WGN at 7:05 eastern, as Carlos Zambrano will face former Tampa Bay Ray Edwin Jackson. Jackson sports a 2.39 ERA and is an absolute fireballer. Rich Harden will face stellar 20 year old rookie Rick Porcello in game 2 and Ted Lilly and Armando Galarraga will wrap up the set.

The Cubs will continue interleague play to close the week, facing the White Sox for 3 games (weather permitting) at US Cellular. Look for Dempster, Wells, and Zambrano to get the starts in that one.

Two quick injury updates before I wrap things up. First, Aramis Ramirez, who has been nursing a separated shoulder for nearly 2 months, is slated to take batting practice for the first time tomorrow.  I would guess Ramirez is still a couple weeks from a rehab assignment, but I don’t need to tell you how much it would mean to the Cubs lineup to get him back.  If the Cubs can stay with in 2-3 games of first in the Central, they could really surge with A-Ram returning.

Second, Angel Guzman has been placed on the DL with right arm tenderness. He needs only 5-6 days to recover, but the Cubs have been so reliant on his electric arm that they want to give him some extra rest. Kevin Hart will take his spot.

The starting pitching was tremendous all trip long, particularly in the Houston series. Ted Lilly, Carlos Zambrano, and Ryan Dempster pitched a combined 21 2/3 innings, giving up only 2 runs.

The offense, on the other hand, was not so good. They managed to put together some offense in game 1 against Brian Moehler. After that, it was tough sledding against Wandy Rodriguez and Russ Ortiz, as the offense mustered only 2 runs.

Let’s take a quick look at what happened in each game:

Game 1: Cubs 7 Astros 1

Finally, a comfortable blowout win for the Cubs. Ted Lilly continued hsi stellar pitching, picking up a win after throwing 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Aaron Heilman and Sean Marshall wrapped things up, but Marshall was unable to preserve the shutout, allowing a Lance Berkman homer.

Offensively, it was a solid effort on the part of the Cubs. 5 batters had multi-hit games, with Mike Fontenot (4-5, HR) and Geovany Soto (3-5) leading the way. However, the Cub who has had probably the most disappointing season, Milton Bradley, had an even worse game than usual. He was 0-6 with 3 strikeouts. Milton is going to have to get hot or else the Cubs lineup is going to realize the potential we all thought it had.

Game 2: Astros 2 Cubs 1

Behind Carlos Zambrano, who appears to have found his form, the Cubs led all the way…at least up until the bottom of the 7th. Zambrano was tremendous all game, allowing only 5 baserunners on 3 hits and 2 walks over 8 innings, but the paltry lead Geovany Soto gave the Cubs with a solo jack in the 2nd went to waste when Geoff Blum knocked in Hunter Pence with an RBI groundout.

Pence had reached on a walk that Carlos Lee followed with a single, advancing Pence to 3rd. Z got Berkman to pop out, but Blum chopped a grounder past Derrek Lee to tie it. Z did a great job minimizing the damage, but the walk came back to bite him.

Blum then ended it in the 9th against Angel Guzman with a bases loaded single with one out.

Game 3: Astros 2 Cubs 1 (13)

It was another pathetic effort by the Cubs offense, this time against Russ Ortiz and a barrage of Astros no name relievers who threw very well. The only offense the Cubs got all afternoon was off of LaTroy Hawkins, who blew a save opportunity in the 9th inning when Derrek Lee hit a solo jack.

Lee tied it after the Cubs trailed all game after fellow Lee, Carlos, gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the first with a sac fly. Ryan Dempster, who also appears to be finding his groove, kept the Cubs in it with 6 scoreless innings after Lee’s sac fly.

He was followed by Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg, who both tossed 2 scoreless innings. Jose Ascanio nearly did the same thing, but he was undone by a walk by Hunter Pence, who stole second. Lance Berkman was then intentionally walked with 2 outs before stupid Geoff Blum got his second consecutive walkoff hit.

The Cubs start interleague play tomorrow, hosting the Minnesota Twins in what will be the first matchup between the teams in 3 years. Look for the preview tomorrow.

The Cubs are 5-2 thus far versus the Astros, with one game postponed due to rain.

The Cubs will be wrapping up a would be 9 game road trip that became 8 when their finale in Atlanta was rained out. The Cubbies split two games against the Braves and needed 14 innings to take the rubber match against the RedLegs. Extra innings have been a theme of this trip, as the Cubs have put in overtime 4 times and 57 innings total.

Pitching, particularly of the starting variety, has not been an issue for the Cubs on this trip. In total, the Cubs have an ERA of 2.26, but have still only won 3 of 5 due to some serious difficulty on the part of batters in getting clutch hits and adding on with a lead. Despit racking up 5 quality starts in 5 tries, Cub pitchers have just a 1-0 record. The offday on Monday will be a big help for Cubs bullpen that has been severely taxed of late.

The Astros reached their low point on the season a week and a half ago, as they were swept out of Cincinnati by the Reds, finishing off a 7 game losing streak. Since then, the Astros are 7-3, moving to 25-30 on the year.

The Astros lineup is anchored, as always, by Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada, and Hunter Pence. Lee, Tejada, and Pence are all having tremendous seasons thus far: all three are batting over .320 so far this season, and they have 23 homeruns and 96 RBI’s between them.

Berkman, on the other hand, has yet to have any of his signature hot streaks and his batting average is suffering as a result, languishing in the .240′s. He’s still getting on base at over a .370 clip and hitting homeruns (10), but he’s due to get hot soon. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen this week.

The Astros are still without much of their bullpen. Jose Valverde has been on the 15 day DL for over a month now and is joined by veterans Geoff Geary and Doug Brocail. LaTroy Hawkins and Chris Sampson have stepped up into the void and pitched very well though.

Let’s go ahead and get to the pitching matchups:

Game 1: Ted Lilly (6-4 3.28 ERA) vs. Brian Moehler (2-3 6.37 ERA)

Lilly was one of the Cubs pitchers who notched a quality start in the Cubs recent stretch, but was unable to do anything more than pick up a no decision. Lilly has been by far the Cubs best and most consistent starter all year and has been even better during his career against the Astros, going 3-1 with a 2.52 ERA lifetime.

Brian Moehler will face the Cubs for the third time already this season. He was awful his first time out, but better the last time, giving up 3 runs in 5 innings on his way to evening his season record against the Cubbies. I’ve said it before, but Brian Moehler is not a very good pitcher. If the Cubs put together halfway decent AB’s against him, they should score some runs for Lilly.

Game 2: Carlos Zambrano (4-2 3.72 ERA) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (5-5 2.97 ERA)

Zambrano came back from his 6 game suspension to face the Reds on Saturday, picking up a win while pitching 6 2/3 innings and providing half the Cubs offense with a homer to center. If you ask me, this is the time where Zambrano is going to really start pitching like the ace that he should be. When the weather starts heating up, he’s at his best, and I look for him to put together a stretch of good starts.

Rodriguez has had the best start to a season of his career, but has struggled of late. He has given up as many earned runs in his last 3 starts as his first 63 innings of the year (12), going 0-3 during that span. He gave up 1 run in 6 innings on the way to a win in his start against the Cubs.

Game 3: Ryan Dempster (4-3 4.12 ERA) vs. Mike Hampton (4-4 4.65 ERA)

Ryan Dempster has also been solid his last 2 times out, giving up no earned runs (he gave up 3 unearned in the first inning in Cincinnati) in 13 innings. He’s worked ahead in the count much more than earlier in the season, keeping his pitch count down and walking only 3. Dempster also had a quality effort in his only start (a no decision) of the year against the Astros, giving up 2 runs in 6 innings.

Two weeks ago, Mike Hampton’s ERA was in the mid fives and had not had a quality start in a month. Since then, his ERA has fallen almost a run and he has had consecutive outings in which he has given up one run in 7 innings, doubling his win total. Hampton faced the Cubs in May, picking up a loss giving up 5 runs (3 earned) in 5 1/3 innings.

Offense 

Pitching

Both of the teams are very close in both offense and defense.  They both rank among the leagues worst in offense, but the pitching has been outstanding.  I give a slight edge to the Reds in offense, but the Cubs pitching seems to be slightly better.  This has the makings to be a very good series.

Cub’s Projected Lineup

1. LF Alfonso Soriano           .243   13 HR    26 RBI
2. SS Ryan Theriot                 .283      5 HR    22 RBI
3. CF Kosuke Fukudome     .308      5 HR    20 RBI
4. 1B Derrek Lee                     .262       6 HR   21 RBI 
5. RF Milton Bradley           .220       5 HR    14 RBI
6. 3B Mike Fontenot           .230       5 HR    23 RBI
7. C   Geovany Soto             .209       1 HR     12 RBI
8. 2B Bobby Scales              .224       2 HR       6 RBI

The Cubs have a lot of talent in their lineup that could present some problems for the Cincinnati Reds.  Alfonso Soriano is an All-Star left fielder and one of the best leadoff men of all time that can put the ball in the seats with ease.  The Cubs also have gold glove first basemen Derrek Lee, all-star Milton Bradley, and last year’s Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto.  Most of these guy’s have been struggling this year for the Cubs, but if Reds pitchers make mistakes, this lineup will make them pay. 

Pitching Probables

Game 1   June 5th  7:10 pm EST    TV: FSN Ohio       Radio: 700 WLW

RHP Micah Owings (3-6 5.10)  vs Carlos Zambrano (3-2 4.22) 

Micha Owings has struggled most of this season and he hasn’t given me reason to believe he will be different in this series.  He took the loss in Wrigley earlier this year against the Cubs and I think he will take another L tonight.  He is prone to pitching well and then all of a sudden giving up a big inning and it’s all downhill from there.  The Reds have generally done well against Carlos Zambrano, who is making his first start since being suspended.  He has struggled most of this year, but pitched well against the Pirates in his last outing.  The Reds need to get some runs on the board early, and rattle the cage of Big Z.  That’s when he runs into trouble and let’s his emotions get the best of him.  I think the Cubs will win this one as Owings is once again not up to the task.  Zambrano gets his 100th career victory in this one.

Game 2  June 6th   7:10 pm EST         TV: FSN Ohio      Radio: 700 WLW

LHP Matt Maloney (0-0 0.00)   vs    Ryan Dempster (4-3 4.48)

Matt Maloney will be making his major league debut against former Red Ryan Dempster.  Maloneywas 4-3 with a 2.00 ERA in 10 starts at Louisville this year.  He has earned this chance to prove he can pitch in the big leagues and I think he does really well.  Cubs hitters have never seen him before and that works to his advantage.  Dempster, who was absolutely terrible in a Reds uniform, has pitched well in his Cubs career.  This year however, Dempster has struggled at times.  He pitched really well in his last outing against the Dodgers and seems to be getting back on track.  I think the Reds hitters know what to expect from Dempster and put a few runs up on the board.  I like the Reds in this one with Maloney earning his first big league win.

Game 3  June 7th    1:10 pm EST      TV: FSN Ohio       Radio: 700 WLW

RHP Bronson Arroyo (7-4 5.37)  vs  Randy Wells (0-2 1.69)

Which Bronson Arroyo will we see pitch in this one.  He has been one of the most inconsistent pitchers I have ever seen.  He goes from giving up 10 earned run’s in one inning pitched against Milwaukee, to pitching a complete game against the Astros last week.  It’s anybody’s guess what will happen with him in this outing.  Randy Wells has been a great pitcher than nobody has ever heard of.  His record is deceiving at 0-2 but his ERA is not.  Dude is a flat out good pitcher that doesn’t get the run support.  Wells is due for a bad outing and I think the Reds tag him in this one.  The good Arroyo shows up and the Redleg’s take care of business. 

My Final Thoughts

Nothing would be sweeter than taking a series from the hated baby bears.  There is absolutely nothing to like about this team or their delusional fans.  Let’s take this line for example:  “If they are good anda legit contender, then they win this series with little problem, if they lose the series, they are in trouble.” one Cub fan said.  Does he not realize that it’s early June and his team is only 3 games out?  Cubs fan’s are the biggest moron’s on this planet.  Even if the Reds get swept, is the season over?  Hell no!  Chicago fans need to realize that their team is not mightier than God and that you just aren’t that good.  You are an average team that might squeak into the playoffs andget bounced in the first round.  And please don’t blame it on some stupid goat or fan again this year.  Blame it on the team.  Nuff said, Reds take 2 of 3.  Andnow I will leave you with some words from Hall of Famer Marty Brenneman:

 Marty Brenneman rips Cubs

The reason this series is important is because the Cubs will not see Aaron Harang, Edinson Volquez, or Johnny Cueto, and no Joey Votto. Instead, the Cubs will face the trio of Micah Owings, Matt Maloney, and Bronson Arroyo. Simply put, if the Cubs are going to win the division, they must win series like this. This weekend we will get a good indication of what this Cubs team can do. If they are good and a legit contender, then they win this series with little problem, if they lose the series, they are in trouble.

Here is our review of the RedLegs from earlier this year, but since that time Dusty’s boys have experienced some ups and downs. First baseman Joey Votto, who has been flat raking this year, is on the DL with a “stress related personal issue.” Second baseman Brandon Phillips just came off the DL with a fractured finger and center fielder Willy Taveras has been nursing a tender hamstring. Oh, and ace pitcher Edinson Volquez is injured as well.

The Cubs are not completely healthy either as third baseman Aramis Ramirez is still out and right fielder Milton Bradley is dealing with a right calf strain. However, there is good news as pitcher Rich Harden is set to come off the DL and will start in Chicago against Minnesota on June 12. Here are the pitching matchups:

Game 1 – 7:10 pm EST, CSN/FSN Ohio

Carlos Zambrano (3-2 4.22 ERA) vs. Micah Owings (3-6 5.10 ERA)

Big Z returns to the mound after serving his six game suspension for his outburst after being ejected from his last start. Prior to being ejected, Zambrano was pitching quite well going 6 1/3 innings, giving up only two runs against Pittsburgh. Z will also be looking for his 100th career victory.

Micah Owings has not fared well as of late. In his last start, Sunday against Milwaukee, Owings lasted 5 2/3 innings, giving up five earned runs. The big right hander is winless in his last three starts with an 8.56 ERA over that stretch. This matchup also features perhaps the two best hitting pitchers in baseball, should be fun to watch.

Game 2 – 7:10 pm EST, WGN/FSN Ohio

Ryan Dempster (4-3 4.48 ERA) vs. Matt Maloney (0-0 0.00 ERA)

Dempster was brilliant last time out. On Saturday against the Dodgers, Dempster went 7 innings, allowed only 3 hits and 0 runs en route to his 4th victory of the season. He has been dealing with a blister on one of his pitching fingers, but it does not appear to be much of an issue.

Maloney will make his MLB debut on Saturday after being called up to replace Edinson Volquez. Maloney is a left hander who has posted solid number while pitching for the Louisville Bats. At the time of his call-up, the lefty was 4-3 with a 2.00 ERA.

Game 3 – 1:10 pm EST, WGN/FSN Ohio

Randy Wells (0-2 1.69 ERA) vs. Bronson Arroyo (7-4 5.37 ERA)

Randy Wells has been great since coming to the majors. The man should be at least 4-0 as he has posted a quality start every outing except his first, in which he gave up no runs over five innings (to qualify as a quality start, a pitcher must last at least six innings and give up no fewer than three earned runs).

Arroyo was not great his last time out. The man who is probably more famous for his JTM commercials than being a baseball player, lasted only 5 1/3 innings against St. Louis and gave up 5 earned runs in taking the loss. Arroyo can run the gamut in terms of what kind of outing he gives you. He has thrown complete game shut outs and also given up 9 runs in the 1st inning.

THEY'RE TOGETHER AGAIN!!!!!

This was a game the Cubs literally gave away. Rookie pitcher Randy Wells flat out dominated the Braves for 7 innings, giving up 2 runs (only 1 earned) on 2 hits, and left with a 5-1 lead with two runers on base. The Cubs late inning relievers came in and were pathetic. Carlos Marmol walked in a run and closer Kevin Gregg was pitiful and blew a two run lead to force extra innings. The Cubs eventually lost in the 12th on a Chipper Jones single scoring Yunel Escobar, otherwise known as the biggest drama queen in baseball.

Alfonso Soriano led off the game with a long YAK EM!!! to move past Craig Biggio on the all time leadoff YAK EM!!! list. Sori now has 54 leadoff YAK EMs!!! in his career and is currently 27 behind the all time leader, 2009 Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson.  Derrek Lee would add a solo YAK EM!!! of his own in the 8th inning to give the Cubs a 5-0 lead. That should have been enough for rookie Randy Wells to earn his 1st major league victory.

Wells was fantastic all night. He threw six hitless innings until Chipper Jones laced a single to left with two outs in the 7th. Wells was actually perfect going into that at bat, but it was not reflected in the boxscore. Early in the game, Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar was at the plate and Wells threw a pitch somewhat up and in. The ball made contact with something and made a loud noise, Escobar went down in a heap prompting most everyone to believe the ball hit him in the head. Nope.

Wells is 0-2 with a 1.69 ERA since joining the Cubs

After reviewing the replay, the ball actually hit the bat and was about a foot away from Escobar’s head. As the lil girl was lying on the ground, the home plate umpire, who clearly did not pay attention, awarded him first base. As Escobar got up and went to first, he was still acting as if he got hit by the pitch.

This is the same lil girl who ran his mouth to Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez after being hit with a changeup. Oh, and not only did he run his mouth, he started walking to the mound towards Volquez, but slow enough so the home plate umpire could restrain him. And he has frosted tips…I hate him so much.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BOXSCORE COURTESY OF YAHOO

Game 2 – Cubs 3, Braves 2 (11)

The Cubs bullpen redeemed themselves big time in this game. With the game tied 2-2, the Chicago relievers threw four scoreless innings to keep the Cubs in the game. In the top of the 11th with Derrek Lee on third and Reed Johnson on first, pinch hitter Micah Hoffpauir dropped a single into left over Chipper Jones to drive in the winning run. Angel Guzman took the win and improves to 2-0 on the year.

The scoring began in the 4th inning as Cubs second baseman Mike Fontenot launched a two run double off the wall in right center. With the Cubs up 2-0, starter Ted Lilly was once again superb. Lilly kept the Braves off balance with a sneaky fastball and great command of his big curveball. However, the Bulldog could not keep the Braves off the scoreboard for long.

Braves catcher Brian McCann plated a run in the 6th with a RBI single to left. With the Cubs clinging to a 2-1 lead in the 7th inning, Chipper Jones stepped up to the plated and ripped a RBI double to score Gregor Blanco and we were back to even at 2-2. The teams would trade scoreless innings until the 11th. 

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, who has taken a lot of flack from Cubs fans this year, started the inning with a single to left off Atlanta reliever Jeff Bennett. Mike Fontenot came up and lifted a foul ball to left. Left fielder Martin Prado fielded the ball, but Derrek Lee tagged and beat the throw to second to put himself into scoring position. Reed Johnson then singled, but Lee had to stop at third. Micah Hoffpauir was then called upon and he delivered.

The Hoff stepped up and was forced to face left handed reliever Eric O’Flaherty. On a 2-2 slider, Hoffpauir barely got the bat on the ball and dumped it into left for the go ahead run. Failing to add on, the Cubs gave the ball to closer Kevin Gregg 24 hours after blowing a two run lead.

D-Lee after scoring the game winning run

Gregg didn’t mess around and shut down the Braves, including an at bat involving Brian McCann in which Gregg completely dominated the catcher and blew him away with a fastball. The Cubs improved to 26-25 and look to ace Carlos Zambrano to give them a series win on Thursday.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BOXSCORE COURTESY OF YAHOO

Game 3 – POSTPONED

El Nino strikes again as following a two-hour plus delay, game three of the series was postponed and the Cubs were rained out for the third time this season. The game is rescheduled for June 22, a mutual off-day for both teams. With the makeup game included, Chicago will now face a stretch of 23 consecutive games from June 16th through July 8th.

Because of the rainout, Carlos Zambrano will start on Friday night at Cincinnati in the opener of a three-game series, and Ryan Dempster will be pushed back to Saturday.

Sean Marshall, who had been scheduled to pitch on Saturday, will go to the bullpen, and Randy Wells will start on Sunday as scheduled.

It was really a game that felt a lot like the playoffs last year. Cubs fall behind early, Cubs play poor defense, Cubs sustain no consistent offensive rhythm, Cub fans try to convince themselves they can come back, but it never happens.

For me, it didn’t take much convincing myself to think the Cubs had a chance even after the Dodgers put up 5 1st inning runs because Eric Milton was on the mound. I have seen Eric Milton put up some epic stink bombs against the Cubs when he pitched for the Reds, so I thought the Cubs could rally against him.

Instead, he worked around plenty of Cub baserunners to work 5 scoreless innings before the Cubs finally broke through in the 6th. The Cubs loaded the bases for Reed Johnson with 2 singles and a HBP, then Reed Johnson chased Milton with a 2 run double. However, Ronald Belisario shut the door, striking Geovany Soto and coaxing a harmless deep fly ball by pinch hitter Micah Hoffpaiur.

The first 5 Dodgers reached base with singles to start the game before Sean Marshall finally struck out Matt Kemp. Journeyman infielder Mark Loretta then knocked in 2 with a double and Jamie Hoffman finished things off with a sac fly.

Even after the 1st inning, the Dodgers had Sean Marshall’s number. Marshall put up a quick scoreless 2nd inning, but Matt Kemp bomber a homer to left center to make up for a his 1st inning strikeout. The Dodgers chased Marshall with a walk and a double in the 5th and scored one more unearned run that was Marshall’s responsibility.

The Cubs bullpen tried to give the Cubs offense a chance to rally, turning in 4.2 scoreless innings and striking out 8. Jason Wadell was one of those relievers, tossing a scoreless 6th in his Major League debut, giving up a hit and K’ing 2 along the way. If he can step in Neal Cotts spot and throw strikes, this will make the Cubs a MUCH better team.

At the plate, the Cubs best performer was Reed Johnson, who has thrived of late in his first shot at consistent playing time. Starts for Reed have been hard to come by since the Cubs have faced righties almost exclusively, but he has gotten 5 starts in the past 8 days. He has responded with 10 hits in 22 AB’s. He also has 3 homers and 8 RBI’s. Lou Piniella needs to find ways to get him some more chances, because he has been really hot.

The Cubs get an off day to start June before heading on the road for a 9 game trip to Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Houston. Look for a preview of the Cubs-Braves series late tomorrow night.

As for the Cubs offense, there were many stars. Mike Fontenot got things going with a two out RBI double to right center in the 2nd inning, scoring Reed Johnson. With two outs in the 3rd and Ryan Theriot on third base, Reed Johnson laid down a perfect bunt to score the Riot to extend the Cubs lead to 2-0. The Dodgers’ infielders were playing back and Johnson dropped the bunt right down the third base line and no one had a play. The Los Angeles starter was done after three innings, but the Cubs offense was not.

In the 4th inning, Mike Fontenot struck again as he tripled to deep right center scoring Bobby Scales. Ryan Theriot then lined a RBI single to left to give the Cubs a 4-0 advantage. With the terrible Jeff Weaver now pitching for the Dodgers, Geovany Soto would bring another run in as he drew a bases loaded walk. Bobby Scales provided another run by way of a bases loaded double play with no outs which scored Milton Bradley. The scoring would end in the 7th inning when Reed Johnson launched a solo YAK EM!!! onto Waveland Avenue.

Johnson being congratulated by manager Lou Piniella after his solo YAK EM!!!

There were many positives to today’s game, particularly from the offense. Mike Fontenot went 2-3 with a 2B, 3B, and an intentional walk. Milton Bradley continues his improved hitting as he went 3-4 with 3 singles and a run scored. Reed Johnson had a great game at the plate going 3-3 with a YAK EM!!!, RBI single, another single, and a walk. The Cubs obviously need these players to contribute, especially since Aramis Ramirez is still about a month away from coming back. With all the injuries the Cubs have dealt with, if they can still play over .500 ball without their best hitter, they will be in good shape for the stretch run.

The Cubs improved to 25-23 on the season and the Dodgers dropped to 34-17. These teams will conclude this series on Sunday night when Sean Marshall opposes Eric Milton. The game will be televised on ESPN.

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The Cubs wasted scoring opportunities early against Billingsley. The Cubs put men on 2nd and 3rd with no outs in the 2nd inning, but followed up with a lineout by Mike Fontenot, a strike out by Koyie Hill, and a pop out by Andres Blanco to let Billingsley off the hook. In the 6th inning, Kosuke Fukudome doubled and advanced to third on an error by Andre Ethier. However, Derrek Lee, Micah Hoffpauir, and Mike Fontenot all weakly grounded out to end the threat.

After Ted Lilly gave up a two out, solo YAK EM!!! to Kemp in the 7th, it appeared the Cubs offensive ineptness would haunt them again. Koyie Hill had other thoughts. Leading off the bottom half of the 7th, Hill launched the first pitch he saw, a hanging slider, from Billingsley into the right field bleachers to tie the game at 1-1. It was Hill’s 2nd YAK EM!!! of the season.

The rally in the 7th would continue. After Andres Blanco unsuccessfully bunted, Jake Fox and Alfonso Soriano hit back to back singles to put men on 1st and 2nd with one out. Bobby Scales then stepped up and blooped a single into left center to load the bases for Kosuke Fukudome. Fukudome produced a great at bat. The Fuker worked the count to 3-1, then lifted a fly ball to center allowing Fox to score on a sacrifice fly giving the Cubs a 2-1 lead.

Carlos Marmol worked the 8th for his 12th hold of the year. Gregg came on in the 9th, struck out James Loney and got Casey Blake to fly out to right. He then gave up a hit to left by Andre Ethier to bring the go ahead run to the plate in the form of Matt Kemp. Kemp hit a harmless bouncer to third baseman Bobby Scales, but Scales bobbled it and failed to record an out. With the tying run now in scoring position, Mark Loretta stepped to the plate with a chance to be a hero. Fortunately, Gregg got Loretta to bounce out to Blanco to end the game.

The Cubs improved to 24-23 on the year while the Dodgers fell to 34-16. The Cubs have won three of their last four and now turn to Ryan Dempster on Saturday to continue the modest momentum they have going.

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