Cubs Take 2 out of 3!

Cubs jumped on Brian Moehler early and often today. Soriano and Kosuke started the game with back-to-back hits and then Derrek Lee doubled to bring in the first Cub run. After Bradley walked, Aramis Ramirez his an RBI single. Mike Fontenot added an RBI single to make it 3-0 Cubs. Theriot capped off the big first inning with a RBI base hit to right. Koyie Hill grounded into a double play and then Ted Lilly grounded out to end the big inning.

After Lilly worked a scoreless bottom of the first, the Cubs added 4 more runs in the second. An Aramis Ramirez RBI hit, and a 2-out 3-run homer by Mike Fontenot gave the Cubs the 8 run lead.

But the Astros did not lie down and die. Keppinger and Berkman hit back-to-back jacks in the 3rd against Lilly. Pudge Rodrigez hit a 2-run homer in the 4th. Kazuo Matsui lead off the 5th with a long ball. Ted Lilly left after 5 innings, and in all gave up 4 home runs. Not a good sign, especially considering that he gave up 3 long balls in his final pre-season tuneup in New York.

David Patton, who had never pitched in a game that was higher than Class A-Ball before today, came on to pitch the 6th. Patton gave up a homer to the first batter he faced in his career, Hunter Pence. The Rule 5 Pick bounced back and retired the next 3 Astros. So after 6, the Cubs lead 10-6.

Patton stayed in the game and put a goose egg on the board in the 7th. All Star setup man Carlos Marmol did not a run in the 8th. In the top of the 9th, Kosuke took Doug Brocail deep to give the Cubs an insurance run. Angel Guzman came on and closed it out in the 9th. Cubs win a wild one, Final Score: Cubs 11, Astros 6.

Big Days:

• Soriano:2-5, BB
• Kosuke:4-5, RBI, HR, 4 Runs
• Bradley: 4 BB, HBP
• Ramirez: 4-6, Run, 4 RBI

Game Highlight: Mike Fontenot 3-run homer to make it 8-0 in the second.

My Player of the Game: Kosuke for his 4 hits, HR, and 4 runs scored!

Off Day tomorrow!

Cubs Take 2 out of the 3! Bring on the Brewers!