Cubbie Swagger Time

It seems like that Cubby swagger that Lou was talking about at the beginning of the season is really starting to show.  Branden Looper kept the Cubs in check all game, and it looked like the Cards were going to win it, but Soriano hit a two run homer in the eighth to further drive a dagger further into the hearts of the Cardinals.  The Cubs seemed to know all along that they were destined to win this game.

One Mistake

Ted Lilly pitched another great game, giving up two runs on four hits -- two in the first and two in the fourth -- and striking out four over six innings. Unfortunately, he was a little flat in the first and it cost him.  With two outs, Lilly gave up a single to Albert Pujols, then walked the next batter, Ryan Ludwick.  Jim Edmonds hit a two out double to give the Cards a 2-0 lead.  The Cubs struck back in the top of the second, when Mark DeRosa drew a lead off walk.  The lead off walks killed the Cardinals today.  The next batter Geovany Soto, hit a double, putting runners at second and third with no outs.  Mike Fontenot hit a sacrifice fly, closing the gap to 2-1.  It was a pitcher duel the rest of the game, but a defensive error almost cost the Cubs the game.  With the score still 2-1 in the bottom of the 6th, Jim Edmonds popped the ball up into left field, which should have been caught by Soriano, but he lost it in the sun and the ball dropped behind, which left Edmonds at second with no outs.  Yadir Molina moved Edmonds to third with only one out, but Lilly got former Cub Migel Cairo to pop out to Lee, and struck out Brandon Looper to end the threat.  Kerry Wood came in to pitch an effective seventh inning.

Clutch

Tony LaRussa took Looper out of the game after the seventh, as Looper had already thrown 114 pitches. They went with their set up man, Ryan Franklin.  Franklin walked pinch hitter Cliff Floyd, and then Alfonso Soriano hit a deep shot to left to give the Cubs their first lead of the game, 3-2.  Carlos Marmol came on to pitch in the eighth, retiring Pujols, cheater RIck Ankiel, walked Jim Edmonds, but got Molina to fly out.  Then the much maligned Ryan Demptser came in and had a 1-2-3 ninth with two strike outs.

How About 2?

Another heart breaking loss for the Cardinals.  They have now lost nine in a row, and are seven games behind the Cubs.  Not only that, the Cubs played the game without Aramis Ramirez, the red hot Cliff Floyd, and Jason Kendall.  Sean Marshall takes the ball ih the night cap against Joel Pinero.  The Cubs are now 2 games ahead of the Brewers, who take on the Reds tonight at home.  By winning the game today, it puts more pressure on the Brewers and now it really puts the Cards in panic mode.  Let' s win two!

Go Cubs!