GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: ST LOUIS (69-71) at CHICAGO CUBS (72-70)

NL: ST LOUIS at CHICAGO CUBS

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ST LOUIS (3) AT CHICAGO CUBS (12) - HOW THEY SCORED
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CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano grounded out to shortstop. R Theriot struck
out swinging. D Lee doubled to deep right. C Floyd singled to left center,
D Lee scored. A Ramirez flied out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

ST LOUIS 2ND: Y Molina flied out to center. J Edmonds homered to left.
A Miles singled to right, A Miles out stretching at second. J Pineiro struck out
swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: D Lee homered to left. C Floyd popped out to second.
A Ramirez homered to center. M DeRosa singled to left. J Jones doubled to deep
center, M DeRosa scored. J Kendall doubled to left, J Jones scored. T Lilly
doubled to deep right, J Kendall scored. A Cavazos relieved J Pineiro.
A Soriano walked. R Theriot lined into double play, first to shortstop, T Lilly
doubled off second.(5 Runs, 6 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: B Falkenborg relieved A Cavazos. D Lee fouled out to
right. C Floyd walked. A Ramirez doubled to deep center, C Floyd to third.
M DeRosa hit by pitch. J Jones singled to left center, C Floyd scored, A Ramirez
to third, M DeRosa to second. J Kendall fouled out to right. T Lilly struck
out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

ST LOUIS 6TH: D Eckstein doubled to right. B Ryan flied out to left.
S Taguchi homered to left, D Eckstein scored. A Pujols lined out to center.
R Ankiel struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3,
CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: A Ramirez doubled to deep right. M DeRosa grounded out
to third. J Jones intentionally walked. J Kendall hit by pitch, A Ramirez to
third, J Jones to second. D Ward hit for T Lilly. A Ramirez scored, J Jones to
third, J Kendall to second on passed ball by Y Molina. D Ward walked.
J Marquis ran for D Ward. A Soriano flied out to left. R Theriot grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, J Marquis out at second. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 8.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: M Maroth relieved K Jimenez. D Lee lined out to left.
F Pie grounded out to second. A Ramirez homered to left. M Fontenot singled to
center. J Jones singled to right, M Fontenot to second. J Kendall safe at
first on throwing error by shortstop D Eckstein, M Fontenot to third, J Jones
to second. C Monroe hit for B Howry. M Fontenot scored, J Jones to third,
J Kendall to second on wild pitch by M Maroth. C Monroe singled to center,
J Jones and J Kendall scored. A Soriano flied out to right. (4 Runs, 4 Hits,
1 Error) ST LOUIS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 12.</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at CHICAGO CUBS

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ST LOUIS (3) AT CHICAGO CUBS (12) - EVENT LOG
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St Louis Starting Lineups -- B Ryan 3B, S Taguchi LF, A Pujols 1B, R Ankiel RF,
Y Molina C, J Edmonds CF, A Miles 2B, D Eckstein SS, J Pineiro RHP.

Chicago Cubs Starting Lineups -- A Soriano LF, R Theriot SS, D Lee 1B, C Floyd
RF, A Ramirez 3B, M DeRosa 2B, J Jones CF, J Kendall C, T Lilly LHP.

Umpires -- Ed Rapuano (HP), Ed Hickox (1B), C.B. Bucknor (2B), Joe West (3B).


Gametime Weather: 58 degrees, Cloudy, wind in from right at 9 mph.


ST LOUIS 1ST: B Ryan flied out to left. S Taguchi flied out to left.
A Pujols doubled to deep right center. A Pujols to third on passed ball by
J Kendall. R Ankiel struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano grounded out to shortstop. R Theriot struck
out swinging. D Lee doubled to deep right. C Floyd singled to left center,
D Lee scored. A Ramirez flied out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

ST LOUIS 2ND: Y Molina flied out to center. J Edmonds homered to left.
A Miles singled to right, A Miles out stretching at second. J Pineiro struck out
swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: M DeRosa fouled out to right. J Jones struck out
swinging. J Kendall flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

ST LOUIS 3RD: D Eckstein grounded out to third. B Ryan grounded out to
third. S Taguchi lined out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: T Lilly struck out swinging. A Soriano flied out to
left. R Theriot flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

ST LOUIS 4TH: A Pujols flied out to center. R Ankiel struck out looking.
Y Molina grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1,
CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: D Lee homered to left. C Floyd popped out to second.
A Ramirez homered to center. M DeRosa singled to left. J Jones doubled to deep
center, M DeRosa scored. J Kendall doubled to left, J Jones scored. T Lilly
doubled to deep right, J Kendall scored. A Cavazos relieved J Pineiro.
A Soriano walked. R Theriot lined into double play, first to shortstop, T Lilly
doubled off second.(5 Runs, 6 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

ST LOUIS 5TH: J Edmonds grounded out to first. A Miles struck out looking.
B Barden hit for A Cavazos. B Barden flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: B Falkenborg relieved A Cavazos. D Lee fouled out to
right. C Floyd walked. A Ramirez doubled to deep center, C Floyd to third.
M DeRosa hit by pitch. J Jones singled to left center, C Floyd scored, A Ramirez
to third, M DeRosa to second. J Kendall fouled out to right. T Lilly struck
out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

ST LOUIS 6TH: D Eckstein doubled to right. B Ryan flied out to left.
S Taguchi homered to left, D Eckstein scored. A Pujols lined out to center.
R Ankiel struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3,
CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: K Jimenez relieved B Falkenborg. M Cairo at third base.
A Soriano singled to left. R Theriot grounded into double play, second to
shortstop to first, A Soriano out at second. D Lee singled to center. C Floyd
grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

ST LOUIS 7TH: F Pie in center field. J Jones in right field. Y Molina lined
out to left. J Edmonds struck out swinging. A Miles struck out looking.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: A Ramirez doubled to deep right. M DeRosa grounded out
to third. J Jones intentionally walked. J Kendall hit by pitch, A Ramirez to
third, J Jones to second. D Ward hit for T Lilly. A Ramirez scored, J Jones to
third, J Kendall to second on passed ball by Y Molina. D Ward walked.
J Marquis ran for D Ward. A Soriano flied out to left. R Theriot grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, J Marquis out at second. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 8.

ST LOUIS 8TH: M Fontenot at second base. B Howry relieved T Lilly. M Cairo
grounded out to shortstop. D Eckstein flied out to right. S Schumaker hit for
K Jimenez. S Schumaker struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
ST LOUIS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 8.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: M Maroth relieved K Jimenez. D Lee lined out to left.
F Pie grounded out to second. A Ramirez homered to left. M Fontenot singled to
center. J Jones singled to right, M Fontenot to second. J Kendall safe at
first on throwing error by shortstop D Eckstein, M Fontenot to third, J Jones
to second. C Monroe hit for B Howry. M Fontenot scored, J Jones to third,
J Kendall to second on wild pitch by M Maroth. C Monroe singled to center,
J Jones and J Kendall scored. A Soriano flied out to right. (4 Runs, 4 Hits,
1 Error) ST LOUIS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 12.

ST LOUIS 9TH: S Fuld in left field. R Cedeno at third base. M Wuertz
relieved B Howry. S Taguchi walked. R Ludwick hit for A Pujols. R Ludwick
walked, S Taguchi to second. R Ankiel struck out looking. R Branyan hit for
Y Molina. R Branyan struck out looking. G Bennett hit for J Edmonds. G Bennett
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, CHICAGO CUBS 12.</div>

 

Ramirez, Lee power Cubs past Cardinals

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 12, ST LOUIS 3</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee know theimportance of each contest in a September pennant race. Theyproved it on Monday afternoon.


Ramirez homered twice and Lee added another blast as the ChicagoCubs powered past the St. Louis Cardinals, 12-3, in a battle oftwo contenders in the crowded National League Central.

Ted Lilly hurled seven strong innings for the Cubs (73-70), whoare one-half game behind the Milwaukee Brewers (73-69) for firstplace in the division. The Cardinals (69-71) are 3 1/2 gamesbehind. The Brewers face the Pittsburgh Pirates later Mondaynight.


Chicago used a five-run fourth inning to snap a 1-1 tie with Leeand Ramirez both homering in the frame. It was a much-neededperformance for the Cubs, who lost two of three to the Piratesthis weekend after dropping three of four to the Los AngelesDodgers.


But in this one, Chicago's two big sluggers went 7-for-10 withthree RBI in the opener of a three-game set with division rivalSt. Louis.


Lee led off the fourth with a towering blast to left-centerfield and, after Cliff Floyd popped up to second base, Ramirezbelted his 21st blast of the season to center off Cardinalsstarter Joel Pineiro (4-3) to make it 3-1.


After Mark DeRosa singled, Jacque Jones, Jason Kendall and Lillystrung together three consecutive run-scoring doubles to capthe scoring in the frame and give the Cubs a five-run cushion.

Jones added an RBI single in the fifth to make it 7-1.

One inning later, So Taguchi blasted a two-run shot to cut theCardinals' deficit to four.


Lilly (15-7) allowed three runs and five hits while striking outseven without walking a batter. Bobby Howry pitched the eighthand Michael Wuertz hurled the ninth to finish out the game.

Pineiro yielded six runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings. Hestruck out three without walking a batter.


Jim Edmonds also homered for the Cardinals, who managed justfive hits.

 

Ramirez, Lee power Cubs past Cardinals

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 12, ST LOUIS 3</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee know theimportance of each contest in a September pennant race. Theyproved it Monday afternoon.


Ramirez homered twice and Lee added another blast as the ChicagoCubs powered past the St. Louis Cardinals, 12-3, in a makeupgame of a rained-out contest from August 19 between twocontenders in the crowded National League Central.

Ted Lilly hurled seven strong innings for the Cubs (73-70), whoare one-half game behind the Milwaukee Brewers (73-69) for firstplace in the division. The Cardinals (69-71) are 3 1/2 gamesbehind. The Brewers face the Pittsburgh Pirates later Mondaynight.


"Our offense was pretty upset by the way we played over theweekend," Lilly said. "I knew that the team would be fired upafter losing (Sunday's) game. They definitely took it out onthe St. Louis pitching."


Chicago used a five-run fourth inning to snap a 1-1 tie with Leeand Ramirez both homering in the frame. It was a much-neededperformance for the Cubs, who lost two of three to the Piratesthis weekend after dropping three of four to the Los AngelesDodgers.


"We needed this win bad," Lee said. "After losing three of fourto L.A. and two of three to Pittsburgh, we needed to get thiswin before we went out and completed this road trip."

But in this one, Chicago's two big sluggers went 7-for-10 withthree RBI. Ramirez, however, made sure to praise the rest ofhis teammates.


"This is a team. This isn't me, Derrek, or (Alfonso) Soriano,"Ramirez said. "We need to pitch, we need to hit and do it as ateam. That's the only way to win."


Lee led off the fourth with a towering blast to left-centerfield and, after Cliff Floyd popped up to second base, Ramirezbelted his 21st blast of the season to center off Cardinalsstarter Joel Pineiro (4-3) to make it 3-1.


After Mark DeRosa singled, Jacque Jones, Jason Kendall and Lillystrung together three consecutive run-scoring doubles to capthe scoring in the frame and give the Cubs a five-run cushion.

"That was a thing of beauty," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said."We hit the ball for power, we hit the ball in the gaps, and wehit with men in scoring position. That's what we needed - agame like this one."


Jones added an RBI single in the fifth to make it 7-1.

One inning later, So Taguchi blasted a two-run shot to cut theCardinals' deficit to four.


Lilly (15-7) allowed three runs and five hits while striking outseven without walking a batter. Bobby Howry pitched the eighthand Michael Wuertz hurled the ninth to finish out the game.

Pineiro yielded six runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings. Hestruck out three without walking a batter.


"In the fourth inning, I was leaving all my pitches up," Pineirosaid. "They just hit everything I threw, and they hurt me."

Jim Edmonds also homered for the Cardinals, who managed justfive hits.


"This was a game that got out of control early," Cardinalsmanager Tony La Russa said. "Then it got ugly."