GAME THREAD: NL: CINCINNATI (69-82) at CHICAGO CUBS (79-73)

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 1
CHICAGO CUBS 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 x 3 9 2 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CIN - TOM SHEARN, EDDIE GUARDADO (7TH), GARY MAJEWSKI (8TH), MIKE
STANTON (8TH), TODD COFFEY (8TH) AND DAVID ROSS

CHN - TED LILLY, BOBBY HOWRY (8TH) AND GEOVANY SOTO

HOME RUNS: CIN - EDWIN ENCARNACION (15) OFF TED LILLY IN THE 2ND, 0 ON
ADAM DUNN (40) OFF TED LILLY IN THE 4TH, 0 ON

CHN - ALFONSO SORIANO (28) OFF TOM SHEARN IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
GEOVANY SOTO (2) OFF TOM SHEARN IN THE 5TH, 0 ON</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 1
CHICAGO CUBS 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 x 3 9 2 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CIN - TOM SHEARN, EDDIE GUARDADO (7TH), GARY MAJEWSKI (8TH), MIKE
STANTON (8TH), TODD COFFEY (8TH) AND DAVID ROSS

CHN - TED LILLY, BOBBY HOWRY (8TH) AND GEOVANY SOTO


WP - BOBBY HOWRY (6-7)
LP - GARY MAJEWSKI (0-3)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: CIN - EDWIN ENCARNACION (15) OFF TED LILLY IN THE 2ND, 0 ON
ADAM DUNN (40) OFF TED LILLY IN THE 4TH, 0 ON

CHN - ALFONSO SORIANO (28) OFF TOM SHEARN IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
GEOVANY SOTO (2) OFF TOM SHEARN IN THE 5TH, 0 ON


TIME: 2:31 ATT: 40,805

PROBABLES: PIT - PAUL MAHOLM (10-15, 4.76)
CHN - JASON MARQUIS (12-8, 4.07)

PROBABLES: CIN - HOMER BAILEY (2-2, 6.99)
SFO - MATT CAIN (7-15, 3.71)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (2) VS CHICAGO CUBS (3) - FINAL

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .336
J Keppinger ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .338
K Griffey Jr rf 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .277
B Coats rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .111
B Phillips 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .294
A Dunn lf 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 .267
E Encarnacion 3b 4 1 1 1 0 1 1 .293
J Votto 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .366
D Ross c 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .199
T Shearn p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
a-A Gonzalez ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .272
E Guardado p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G Majewski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Stanton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Coffey p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 32 2 6 2 1 10 10

a-struck out swinging for T Shearn in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - N Hopper (13, T Lilly). HR - E Encarnacion (15, 2nd inning off T
Lilly 0 on, 1 Out), A Dunn (40, 4th inning off T Lilly 0 on, 1 Out). S - J
Keppinger. RBI - E Encarnacion (73), A Dunn (106). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - K Griffey Jr 1, A Gonzalez 1, B Phillips 1. GIDP - K Griffey
Jr. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - N Hopper (13, 3rd base off T Lilly/G Soto).

FIELDING: E - K Griffey Jr (8, bobble). Outfield assists - A Dunn (D Lee at
2nd base). DP: 3 (B Phillips-J Keppinger-J Votto, J Keppinger-B Phillips-J
Votto 2).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 4 1 2 1 0 1 0 .292
R Theriot ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .268
D Lee 1b 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 .310
C Floyd rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .284
b-M Murton ph 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 .271
F Pie pr-cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .214
A Ramirez 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .313
M DeRosa 2b 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 .297
J Jones cf-rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .274
G Soto c 3 1 1 1 0 1 3 .387
T Lilly p 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .139
a-C Monroe ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .229
B Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 30 3 9 3 2 5 15

a-struck out swinging for T Lilly in the 7th; b-hit into fielder's choice to
left for C Floyd in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - J Jones (30, T Shearn). HR - A Soriano (28, 1st inning off T
Shearn 0 on, 0 Out), G Soto (2, 5th inning off T Shearn 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - A
Soriano (59), G Soto (4), M Murton (21). Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - T Lilly 2, A Ramirez 1. GIDP - J Jones, R Theriot, A Ramirez. Team LOB -
5.

BASERUNNING: SB - F Pie (7, 2nd base off T Coffey/D Ross).

FIELDING: E - D Lee (7, ground ball); M DeRosa (10, ground ball). Outfield
assists - A Soriano (N Hopper at Home). DP: 1 (M DeRosa-R Theriot-D Lee).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 010 100 000 -- 2
CHICAGO CUBS - 100 010 01x -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
T Shearn 6 6 2 2 2 3 2 3.94
E Guardado 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 9.28
G Majewski (L, 0-3) 1/3 2 1 0 0 1 0 7.97
M Stanton 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.73
T Coffey 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.36

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
T Lilly 7 5 2 2 1 8 2 3.78
B Howry (W, 6-7) 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.37

Pitches-strikes: T Shearn 82-48; E Guardado 12-8; G Majewski 11-7; M Stanton
1-1; T Coffey 5-3; T Lilly 99-73; B Howry 28-20. Ground balls-fly balls: T
Shearn 9-6; E Guardado 0-2; G Majewski 0-0; M Stanton 1-0; T Coffey 1-0; T
Lilly 7-6; B Howry 2-1. Batters faced: T Shearn 23; E Guardado 4; G Majewski 3;
M Stanton 1; T Coffey 1; T Lilly 27; B Howry 7.

UMPIRES: HP--Alfonso Marquez. 1B--Chuck Meriwether. 2B--Rick Reed. 3B--Tim
Timmons.

T--2:31. Att--40,805.
Weather: 74 degrees, clear. Wind: 5 mph, in from
right.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
CINCINNATI 2
CHICAGO CUBS 3 FINAL</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CINCINNATI (2) AT CHICAGO CUBS (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano homered to left. R Theriot grounded out to
second. D Lee flied out to center. C Floyd struck out swinging. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CINCINNATI 2ND: A Dunn struck out swinging. E Encarnacion homered to left.
J Votto lined out to third. D Ross flied out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) CINCINNATI 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CINCINNATI 4TH: B Phillips flied out to center. A Dunn homered to right.
E Encarnacion grounded out to shortstop. J Votto flied out to right. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: G Soto homered to left. T Lilly popped out to shortstop.
A Soriano singled to left center. R Theriot grounded into double play,
shortstop to second to first, A Soriano out at second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: G Majewski relieved E Guardado. A Soriano struck out
swinging. R Theriot singled to right, R Theriot to second on error by right
fielder K Griffey Jr. D Lee singled to right, R Theriot to third. B Coats in
right field. M Stanton relieved G Majewski. M Murton hit for C Floyd. M Murton
hit into fielder's choice to left, R Theriot scored, D Lee out at second.
T Coffey relieved M Stanton. F Pie ran for M Murton. F Pie stole second.
A Ramirez grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) CINCINNATI 2,
CHICAGO CUBS 3.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CINCINNATI (2) AT CHICAGO CUBS (3) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cincinnati Starting Lineups -- N Hopper CF, J Keppinger SS, K Griffey Jr RF,
B Phillips 2B, A Dunn LF, E Encarnacion 3B, J Votto 1B, D Ross C, T Shearn 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, G Soto C, T Lilly LHP.

Umpires -- Alfonso Marquez (HP), Chuck Meriwether (1B), Rick Reed (2B),
Tim Timmons (3B).

Gametime Weather: 74 degrees, Clear, wind in from right at 5 mph.


CINCINNATI 1ST: N Hopper reached on infield single to catcher. J Keppinger
singled to left, N Hopper to second. K Griffey Jr grounded into double play,
second to shortstop to first, J Keppinger out at second, N Hopper to third.
B Phillips grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0,
CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano homered to left. R Theriot grounded out to
second. D Lee flied out to center. C Floyd struck out swinging. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CINCINNATI 2ND: A Dunn struck out swinging. E Encarnacion homered to left.
J Votto lined out to third. D Ross flied out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) CINCINNATI 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: A Ramirez grounded out to third. M DeRosa walked.
J Jones doubled to right, M DeRosa to third. G Soto struck out looking. T Lilly
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CINCINNATI 3RD: T Shearn struck out swinging. N Hopper doubled to deep
center. J Keppinger grounded out to third. N Hopper stole third. K Griffey Jr
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: A Soriano flied out to right. R Theriot singled to
shallow center. D Lee popped out to second. C Floyd popped out to shortstop.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 1, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CINCINNATI 4TH: B Phillips flied out to center. A Dunn homered to right.
E Encarnacion grounded out to shortstop. J Votto flied out to right. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: A Ramirez grounded out to third. M DeRosa singled to
right. J Jones grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first,
M DeRosa out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CINCINNATI 5TH: D Ross grounded out to second. T Shearn grounded out to
shortstop. N Hopper struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: G Soto homered to left. T Lilly popped out to shortstop.
A Soriano singled to left center. R Theriot grounded into double play,
shortstop to second to first, A Soriano out at second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CINCINNATI 6TH: J Keppinger flied out to left. K Griffey Jr struck out
swinging. B Phillips fouled out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: D Lee walked. C Floyd popped out to second. A Ramirez
grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, D Lee out at second.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CINCINNATI 7TH: A Dunn walked. E Encarnacion struck out swinging. J Votto
safe at first on error by first baseman D Lee, A Dunn to third. D Ross struck
out swinging. A Gonzalez hit for T Shearn. A Gonzalez struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error) CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: E Guardado relieved T Shearn. M DeRosa reached on infield
single to shortstop. J Jones bunt popped out foul to catcher. G Soto flied
out to left. C Monroe hit for T Lilly. C Monroe struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CINCINNATI 8TH: B Howry relieved T Lilly. N Hopper safe at first on error
by second baseman M DeRosa. J Keppinger sacrificed to pitcher, N Hopper to
second. K Griffey Jr struck out swinging. B Phillips singled to left,
N Hopper thrown out at home. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: G Majewski relieved E Guardado. A Soriano struck out
swinging. R Theriot singled to right, R Theriot to second on error by right
fielder K Griffey Jr. D Lee singled to right, R Theriot to third. B Coats in
right field. M Stanton relieved G Majewski. M Murton hit for C Floyd. M Murton
hit into fielder's choice to left, R Theriot scored, D Lee out at second.
T Coffey relieved M Stanton. F Pie ran for M Murton. F Pie stole second.
A Ramirez grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) CINCINNATI 2,
CHICAGO CUBS 3.

CINCINNATI 9TH: F Pie in center field. J Jones in right field. A Dunn flied
out to left. E Encarnacion grounded out to shortstop. J Votto struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 3.</div>

 

Murton, Cubs edge Reds, take over first place in NL Central

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 3, CINCINNATI 2</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Matt Murton sent the home crowdhappy.


Murton broke a tie in the eighth inning as the Chicago Cubsedged the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2, on Wednesday.


Alfonso Soriano and rookie Geovany Soto each hit solo homers andstarter Ted Lilly was effective despite not earning the win forChicago, which took a half game lead in the National LeagueCentral division.


The Cubs (80-73), who entered the game in a virtual tie with theMilwaukee Brewers (78-72) for the lead in the Central Division,have nine games remaining on their schedule. Milwaukee isplaying the Houston Astros Wednesday night.


With the score tied at 2-2 with one out in the bottom of theeighth, Ryan Theriot singled to right field off Reds relieverGary Majewski (0-3) and took second when right fielder KenGriffey Jr. bobbled the ball. Griffey was injured on the playand was removed from the game and replaced by rookie Buck Coats.

Derrek Lee then singled to right, to put runners on first andthird. Griffey was injured fielding the ball and was replacedby rookie Buck Coats.


After Mike Stanton replaced Majewski, Murton, pinch hitting forCliff Floyd, hit a low liner to left field that Adam Dunntrapped in his glove, sending the speedy Theriot home to put theCubs up, 3-2. The play was ruled a fielders choice when Leewas thrown out at second, not sure if the ball was caught.

The Reds nearly had the lead a half inning earlier, when with arunner on second and two outs, Brandon Phillips singled to leftoff Cubs reliever Bobby Howry (6-7) but a strong throw bySoriano gunned down Norris Hopper at the plate preserving thetie. It was Soriano's 16th assist this season.


Howry, who allowed a hit over two innings, pitched a 1-2-3 ninthto give the Cubs the win.


Chicago took a quick lead when Soriano led off the bottom of thefirst by hitting the first pitch he saw from Reds starter TomShearn into the seats in left field to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.It was Soriano's 28th homer and ninth to lead off a game thisseason.


The blast broke the single-season club record for lead-offhomers held by Rick Monday set in 1976. Soriano now has 41career leadoff homers, fourth most in major league history.

Cincinnati tied it an inning later when with one out EdwinEncarnacion drove a 1-1 pitch by Lilly into the bleachers inleft to knot the game at 1-1. It was the 15th homer byEncarnacion, matching his career high from 2006.


The Reds quieted the Wrigley Field faithful in the fourth whenAdam Dunn hit a towering drive off Lilly out of the ballpark andonto Sheffield Avenue to give Cincinnati a one-run lead. Itwas the slugger's 40th homer, the fourth straight season Dunnhas reached that mark.


However in the fifth, Soto hit a game-tying solo shot on a 2-0fastball from Shearn into the third row of seats in left to eventhe score. It was the second career homer by the rookiecatcher, who was called up from Class AAA Iowa on September 1.

Lilly left after seven innings, yielding two runs, five hits anda walk, while striking out eight. The nine-year veteran, whowas looking for his career-high 16th victory, did set a personalcareer high with 200 innings pitched in 2007, and also tyinghis personal best in strikeouts with 168, also done in 2004.

Shearn allowed two runs, six hits and two walks in six innings.The 30-year-old rookie righthander, who struck out three, hasgiven up three runs or fewer in each of his six starts whilehurling at least six innings four times.

 

Murton, Cubs edge Reds, take over first place in NL Central

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 3, CINCINNATI 2</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Matt Murton sent the crowd homehappy.


Murton broke a tie in the eighth inning as the Chicago Cubsedged the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2, on Wednesday.


Alfonso Soriano and rookie Geovany Soto each hit solo homers andstarter Ted Lilly was effective despite not earning the win forChicago, which took a half game lead in the National LeagueCentral division.


The Cubs (80-73), who entered the game in a virtual tie with theMilwaukee Brewers (78-72) for the lead in the Central Division,have nine games remaining on their schedule. Milwaukee isplaying the Houston Astros Wednesday night.


With the score tied at 2-2 with one out in the bottom of theeighth, Ryan Theriot singled to right field off Reds relieverGary Majewski (0-3) and took second when right fielder KenGriffey Jr. bobbled the ball.


Derrek Lee then singled to right, to put runners on first andthird. Griffey was injured fielding the ball and was replacedby rookie Buck Coats.


After Mike Stanton replaced Majewski, Murton, pinch hitting forCliff Floyd, hit a low liner to left field that Adam Dunntrapped in his glove, sending the speedy Theriot home to put theCubs up, 3-2. The play was ruled a fielders choice when Leewas thrown out at second, not sure if the ball was caught.

The Reds nearly had the lead a half inning earlier, when with arunner on second and two outs, Brandon Phillips singled to leftoff Cubs reliever Bobby Howry (6-7) but a strong throw bySoriano gunned down Norris Hopper at the plate preserving thetie. It was Soriano's 16th assist this season.


Howry, who allowed a hit over two innings, pitched a 1-2-3 ninthto give the Cubs the win.


Chicago took a quick lead when Soriano led off the bottom of thefirst by hitting the first pitch he saw from Reds starter TomShearn into the seats in left field to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.It was Soriano's 28th homer and ninth to lead off a game thisseason.


The blast also broke the single-season club record for lead-offhomers held by Rick Monday set in 1976. Soriano now has 41career leadoff homers, fourth most in major league history.

Cincinnati tied it an inning later when with one out EdwinEncarnacion drove a 1-1 pitch by Lilly into the bleachers inleft to knot the game at 1-1. It was the 15th homer byEncarnacion, matching his career high from 2006.


The Reds quieted the Wrigley Field faithful in the fourth whenAdam Dunn hit a towering drive off Lilly out of the ballpark andonto Sheffield Avenue to give Cincinnati a one-run lead. Itwas the slugger's 40th homer, the fourth straight season Dunnhas reached that mark.


However in the fifth, Soto hit a game-tying solo shot on a 2-0fastball from Shearn into the third row of seats in left to eventhe score. It was the second career homer by the rookiecatcher, who was called up from Class AAA Iowa on September 1.

Lilly left after seven innings, yielding two runs, five hits anda walk, while striking out eight. The nine-year veteran, whowas looking for his career-high 16th victory, did set a personalcareer high with 200 innings pitched in 2007, and also tyinghis personal best in strikeouts with 168, also done in 2004.

Shearn allowed two runs, six hits and two walks in six innings.The 30-year-old rookie righthander, who struck out three, hasgiven up three runs or fewer in each of his six starts whilehurling at least six innings four times.

 

Murton, Cubs edge Reds, take over first place in NL Central

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 3, CINCINNATI 2</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Matt Murton sent the crowd homehappy.


Murton broke a tie in the eighth inning as the Chicago Cubsedged the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2, on Wednesday.


Alfonso Soriano and rookie Geovany Soto each hit solo homers andstarter Ted Lilly was effective despite not earning the win forChicago, which took a one game lead in the National LeagueCentral division.


"Lilly has stopped a lot of losing streaks for us," Cubs managerLou Piniella said. "There was no bigger game than tonight. Ifthere was a must game for us this year, truthfully this wasit."


The Cubs (80-73), who entered the game in a virtual tie with theMilwaukee Brewers (78-73) for the lead in the Central Division,have nine games remaining on their schedule. Milwaukee lost tothe Houston Astros Wednesday night.


"This is something that will probably go right down until theend," Lilly said. "We just have to take care of our games."

With the score tied at 2-2 with one out in the bottom of theeighth, Ryan Theriot singled to right off Reds reliever GaryMajewski (0-3) and took second when right fielder Ken GriffeyJr. bobbled the ball.


"In that situation I am watching Griffey all the way," Theriotsaid. "I was running full out when I saw him bobble it, I justkept going."


Derrek Lee then singled to right, to put runners on first andthird. Griffey was injured fielding the ball and was replacedby rookie Buck Coats.


"Junior has a lower abdominal strain and will go back toCincinnati tomorrow and get checked out," Reds manager PeteMackanin said. "We don't know how bad the injury is."

Griffey admitted to being in severe pain as he fell to theground.


"That part (abdominal area) had been a little bit sore," Griffeysaid. "It was very painful. I knew I threw the ball backtowards the infield, but I didn't even know where I threw it."

After Mike Stanton replaced Majewski, Murton, pinch hitting forCliff Floyd, hit a low liner to left field that Adam Dunntrapped in his glove, sending the speedy Theriot home to put theCubs up, 3-2. The play was ruled a fielders choice when Leewas thrown out at second, not sure if the ball was caught.

"I haven't seen a replay but I know I caught the ball," Dunnsaid. "I was still going to go home with the ball, thensomebody yelled for me to go to second with the throw. Thatturned out to be a good play."


The Reds nearly had the lead a half inning earlier, when with arunner on second and two outs, Brandon Phillips singled to leftoff Cubs reliever Bobby Howry (6-7) but a strong throw bySoriano gunned down Norris Hopper at the plate preserving thetie. It was Soriano's 16th assist this season.


"Soriano made a great throw getting Hopper at the plate,"Mackanin said. "I have no problem with the runner going home inthat situation. There were two outs so Mark (third base coachBerry) had to send him."


Howry, who allowed a hit over two innings, pitched a 1-2-3 ninthto give the Cubs the win.


"I had a day off so I felt especially strong tonight," Howrysaid. "Before the game Lou told me to be ready to go twoinnings. I wasn't surprised that I finished the game, but Ididn't know (closer Ryan) Dempster was sick (Flu likesymptoms)."


Chicago took a quick lead when Soriano led off the bottom of thefirst by hitting the first pitch he saw from Reds starter TomShearn into the seats in left field to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.It was Soriano's 28th homer and ninth to lead off a game thisseason.


"I was more excited about the throw I made in the eighth inning,"Soriano said. "This was a big win but they are all big now."

The blast also broke the single-season club record for lead-offhomers held by Rick Monday set in 1976. Soriano now has 41career leadoff homers, fourth most in major league history.

Cincinnati tied it an inning later when with one out EdwinEncarnacion drove a 1-1 pitch by Lilly into the bleachers inleft to knot the game at 1-1. It was the 15th homer byEncarnacion, matching his career high from 2006.


The Reds quieted the Wrigley Field faithful in the fourth whenDunn hit a towering drive off Lilly out of the ballpark and ontoSheffield Avenue to give Cincinnati a one-run lead. It was theslugger's 40th homer, the fourth straight season Dunn hasreached that mark.


"This is one of those things (records) I will think about when Iam done," Dunn said. "It doesn't mean that much to me rightnow. It's cool I guess."


However in the fifth, Soto hit a game-tying solo shot on a 2-0fastball from Shearn into the third row of seats in left to eventhe score. It was the second career homer by the rookiecatcher, who was called up from Class AAA Iowa on September 1.

Lilly left after seven innings, yielding two runs, five hits anda walk, while striking out eight. The nine-year veteran, whowas looking for his career-high 16th victory, did set a personalcareer high with 200 innings pitched in 2007, and also tyinghis personal best in strikeouts with 168, also done in 2004.

"I felt strong out there tonight," Lilly said. "I was justconcentrating on making good pitches, I wasn't concerned withpitch count."


Shearn allowed two runs, six hits and two walks in six innings.The 30-year-old rookie righthander, who struck out three, hasgiven up three runs or fewer in each of his six starts whilehurling at least six innings four times.


"My defense was great behind me," Shearn said. "It took me sixstarts to get my first double play ball. To get five heretonight was amazing."