The Chicago Cubs extended their winning streak to four after dispatching the San Francisco Giants 4-2. Ryan Dempster turned in his best start of the season giving up 2 runs over 7 strong innings. He gave up only 5 hits, struck out 7, and improved his record to 2-1 on the year. Carlos Marmol came on to pitch a scoreless 8th for his 6th hold of the year and Kevin Gregg notched his 4th save. The Cubs improved to 14-11 on the season whilst the Giants fell to 12-12.
The Cubs offense provided Dempster an early 1-0 lead in the 1st thanks to a bases loaded walk to Geovany Soto scoring Alfonso Soriano, who led off the game with a double to the left field corner. In the bottom of the 2nd, new power threat Ryan Theriot continued his surge with a 2-run YAK EM, his 3rd of the year. It just so happens his 2009 YAK EM total of 3 matches his career YAK EM total, also 3. The Cubs would add their fourth and final run on a Reed Johnson sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 5th scoring Derrek Lee.
In other Cubs news, third baseman Aramis Ramirez returned to the Cubs lineup and went 0-3 with a walk. The Cubs also placed ace Carlos Zambrano on the 15 day DL with a left hamstring strain. The Cubs will call up Randy Wells from Iowa on Friday to replace Big Z in the rotation. Well is currently 3-0 with a 3.13 ERA for the Iowa Cubs. Until then, the Cubs called up infielder Bobby Scales.
The Cubs return to action Tuesday afternoon at 2:20 pm EST to finish up their brief two game series against the Giants. It will be a tall order as they will face reigning Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum (2-1 3.16 ERA). The Cubs will counter with left hander “Shaggy” Sean Marshall (0-1 3.32 ERA).
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