A Team Effort by the Bay

Cubs 3 Giants 2

The Cubs finished the road trip today with a big win over the Giants. The Cubs got down early on an RBI single by Moises Alou in the first inning. Nomar kept his hot bat going and singled and scored in the 3rd on the triple by Todd Walker. Matt Murton got a start today against the right hander Tomko and hit his 3rd home run of the year. Glendon Rusch had a quality start and deserved the win, but got a no decision in today's game.

The break came in the 8th with 2 outs. LaTroy Hawkins retired the first 2 Cubs he faced, including a strikeout of Corey Patterson...surprise, surprise. Hariston then doubled off of Hawkins and Neifi Perez doubled home Hariston to give the Cubs the lead. Williamson and Dempster held the Giants and the Cubs finished the road trip 8-2. Dempster picked up his 27th save. Where has this been all year?

This has been a very impressive road trip. The Cubs had different contributors in every game. One night was Nomar, the next was Burnie, Cedeno and Murton, DLee had a couple and today was Neifi. This road trip was the first time I saw a Cubs TEAM this entire season. I hope they can go home and have the same success. The Cubs are now 1 game under .500 and tied for 3rd with the Brewers.

Back to Chicago and the Cincinnati Reds

Monday - Greg Maddux(12-11/4.28) vs. Aaron Herang(9-12/3.60)

Monday starts a 7 game homestand vs. the Reds and the Cardinals. For the 1st time in history the Cubs will have 4 night games in a row to start the homestand. Maddux will go on Monday and to have a chance at 15 wins he cannot lose again this year. Maddux has to bring his A game against a very dangerous Reds team. The Reds have played the Cubs tough for the last few years and let us not forget the series sweep in early August. The Reds offense is one of the best in the league, it is their pitching that is questionable. Aaron Herang will go tomorrow night and he beat the Cubs his last time out. As with all pitchers, the Reds staff will buckle if the Cubs show patience at the plate. A win tomorrow will get the Cubs back to .500.

Be patient, no extra outs, pitch like a Hall of Famer...and just win.