GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS

NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY XAVIER NADY (19) TO LEFT WITH 1 OUT IN THE
9TH OFF RYAN DEMPSTER.
CURRENT SCORE: PITTSBURGH 8, CHICAGO CUBS 13

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: J BAUTISTA (.258, 1-FOR-3, BB, RBI)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 12 3
CHICAGO CUBS 4 1 2 0 0 5 1 0 x 13 16 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: PIT - PAUL MAHOLM, FRANQUELIS OSORIA (3RD), JOHN GRABOW (6TH), BRYAN
BULLINGTON (7TH), JUAN PEREZ (8TH) AND RONNY PAULINO

CHN - JASON MARQUIS, WILL OHMAN (3RD), KEVIN HART
(4TH), SCOTT EYRE (6TH), CARLOS MARMOL (7TH), KERRY WOOD
(8TH), RYAN DEMPSTER (9TH) AND GEOVANY SOTO

HOME RUNS: PIT - XAVIER NADY (19) OFF RYAN DEMPSTER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON

CHN - ALFONSO SORIANO (29) OFF PAUL MAHOLM IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
ARAMIS RAMIREZ (24) OFF PAUL MAHOLM IN THE 1ST, 2 ON
ARAMIS RAMIREZ (25) OFF FRANQUELIS OSORIA IN THE 6TH, 2 ON

GEOVANY SOTO (3) OFF JOHN GRABOW IN THE 6TH, 1 ON</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
PITTSBURGH 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 12 3
CHICAGO CUBS 4 1 2 0 0 5 1 0 x 13 16 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: PIT - PAUL MAHOLM, FRANQUELIS OSORIA (3RD), JOHN GRABOW (6TH), BRYAN
BULLINGTON (7TH), JUAN PEREZ (8TH) AND RONNY PAULINO

CHN - JASON MARQUIS, WILL OHMAN (3RD), KEVIN HART
(4TH), SCOTT EYRE (6TH), CARLOS MARMOL (7TH), KERRY WOOD
(8TH), RYAN DEMPSTER (9TH) AND GEOVANY SOTO


WP - SCOTT EYRE (2-1)
LP - FRANQUELIS OSORIA (0-2)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: PIT - XAVIER NADY (19) OFF RYAN DEMPSTER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON

CHN - ALFONSO SORIANO (29) OFF PAUL MAHOLM IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
ARAMIS RAMIREZ (24) OFF PAUL MAHOLM IN THE 1ST, 2 ON
ARAMIS RAMIREZ (25) OFF FRANQUELIS OSORIA IN THE 6TH, 2 ON

GEOVANY SOTO (3) OFF JOHN GRABOW IN THE 6TH, 1 ON


TIME: 2:57 ATT: 41,591

PROBABLES: PIT - ZACH DUKE (3-7, 5.70)
CHN - RICH HILL (9-8, 4.01)</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (8) VS CHICAGO CUBS (13) - FINAL

PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Morgan cf 5 1 2 1 0 0 1 .267
N McLouth lf 4 1 1 0 1 2 0 .255
F Sanchez 2b 4 0 0 0 1 2 2 .306
A LaRoche 1b 3 1 1 0 2 1 1 .273
X Nady rf 4 1 1 3 1 1 1 .286
J Bautista 3b 4 1 2 1 1 0 4 .260
R Paulino c 5 1 1 1 0 2 2 .262
C Izturis ss 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 .259
M Kata ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .247
P Maholm p 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 .186
F Osoria p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Grabow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-J Phelps ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .352
B Bullington p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500
J Perez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 38 8 12 8 6 10 15

a-struck out swinging for J Grabow in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - C Izturis (13, J Marquis); A LaRoche (37, J Marquis); J Bautista
(33, J Marquis). 3B - C Izturis (2, J Marquis). HR - X Nady (19, 9th inning off
R Dempster 0 on, 1 Out). RBI - X Nady 3 (70), N Morgan (4), J Bautista (62), R
Paulino (55), C Izturis (14), P Maholm (5). 2-out RBI - N Morgan, J Bautista, R
Paulino, C Izturis, P Maholm. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J
Phelps 1, J Bautista 2. Team LOB - 9.

BASERUNNING: SB - N Morgan (5, 2nd base off J Marquis/G Soto), N McLouth (21,
2nd base off J Marquis/G Soto). CS - N Morgan (2, 2nd base by J Marquis/G
Soto).

FIELDING: E - C Izturis (8, throw); F Sanchez (8, catch); J Bautista (17,
throw). DP: 1 (M Kata-F Sanchez-A LaRoche).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 5 2 2 1 0 1 3 .293
M DeRosa 2b 4 2 1 0 0 1 4 .297
D Lee 1b 5 3 3 1 0 0 0 .313
A Ramirez 3b 5 2 2 6 0 0 2 .314
M Murton rf 4 1 2 0 0 1 1 .275
C Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
K Wood p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-H Blanco ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .170
R Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G Soto c 4 2 2 2 1 0 1 .400
C Monroe cf 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 .243
F Pie cf 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .212
R Theriot ss 5 0 2 0 0 0 2 .269
J Marquis p 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .129
W Ohman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-R Cedeno ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .164
K Hart p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-S Fuld ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
S Eyre p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Jones rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273

Totals 41 13 16 11 2 6 16

a-singled to right center for W Ohman in the 3rd; b-grounded to pitcher for K
Hart in the 5th; c-grounded to pitcher for K Wood in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - D Lee (40, P Maholm). HR - A Soriano (29, 1st inning off P Maholm
0 on, 0 Out), A Ramirez 2 (25, 1st inning off P Maholm 2 on, 0 Out, 6th inning
off F Osoria 2 on, 1 Out), G Soto (3, 6th inning off J Grabow 1 on, 1 Out). RBI
- A Soriano (60), A Ramirez 6 (98), R Cedeno (9), G Soto 2 (6), D Lee (75).
2-out RBI - D Lee. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - D Lee 2, J Marquis
1. GIDP - R Theriot. Team LOB - 7.


----------------------------------------------------
PITTSBURGH - 115 000 001 -- 8
CHICAGO CUBS - 412 005 10x -- 13
----------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
P Maholm 2 10 7 6 0 3 2 5.01
F Osoria (L, 0-2) 3 1/3 2 3 2 0 3 1 4.44
J Grabow 2/3 2 2 2 0 0 1 3.88
B Bullington 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 6.00
J Perez 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3.60

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Marquis 2 2/3 8 7 7 2 1 0 4.35
W Ohman 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 5.05
K Hart 2 0 0 0 2 3 0 0.93
S Eyre (W, 2-1) 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.32
C Marmol 1 1 0 0 1 3 0 1.23
K Wood 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 4.19
R Dempster 1 2 1 1 0 1 1 4.16

P Maholm pitched to 4 batters in the 3rd.

WP - F Osoria. IBB - A LaRoche (by J Marquis). HBP - M DeRosa (by P Maholm).
Pitches-strikes: P Maholm 61-37; F Osoria 42-28; J Grabow 9-5; B Bullington
13-9; J Perez 17-7; J Marquis 55-35; W Ohman 4-3; K Hart 33-21; S Eyre 13-7; C
Marmol 19-12; K Wood 13-9; R Dempster 20-14. Ground balls-fly balls: P Maholm
2-1; F Osoria 4-4; J Grabow 1-1; B Bullington 0-3; J Perez 3-0; J Marquis 3-3;
W Ohman 1-0; K Hart 2-1; S Eyre 2-1; C Marmol 0-0; K Wood 0-1; R Dempster 1-1.
Batters faced: P Maholm 18; F Osoria 13; J Grabow 4; B Bullington 5; J Perez 4;
J Marquis 17; W Ohman 2; K Hart 8; S Eyre 4; C Marmol 5; K Wood 3; R Dempster
5.

UMPIRES: HP--Tim Mcclelland. 1B--Tom Hallion. 2B--Bruce Dreckman. 3B--Phil
Cuzzi.

T--2:57. Att--41,591.
Weather: 85 degrees, sunny. Wind: 8 mph, out to
center.</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
PITTSBURGH 8
CHICAGO CUBS 13 FINAL</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (8) AT CHICAGO CUBS (13) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PITTSBURGH 1ST: N Morgan singled to center. N Morgan stole second.
N McLouth walked. F Sanchez flied out to right, N Morgan to third. N McLouth
stole second. A LaRoche intentionally walked. X Nady grounded into fielder's
choice to third, N Morgan scored, A LaRoche out at second, N McLouth to third.
J Bautista lined out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1,
CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano homered to center. M DeRosa hit by pitch.
D Lee singled to right, M DeRosa to second. A Ramirez homered to left, M DeRosa
and D Lee scored. M Murton reached on infield single to shortstop. G Soto
flied out to center. C Monroe struck out swinging. R Theriot singled to left,
M Murton to second. J Marquis struck out looking. (4 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 1, CHICAGO CUBS 4.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: R Paulino grounded out to second. C Izturis doubled to
right center. P Maholm struck out swinging. N Morgan singled to right,
C Izturis scored. N Morgan caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop.(1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, CHICAGO CUBS 4.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: A Soriano struck out swinging. M DeRosa grounded out to
shortstop. D Lee doubled to left. A Ramirez safe at first on throwing error
by shortstop C Izturis, D Lee scored. M Murton grounded out to second. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 2, CHICAGO CUBS 5.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: N McLouth singled to center. F Sanchez flied out to right.
A LaRoche doubled to deep right, N McLouth to third. X Nady grounded out to
second, N McLouth scored, A LaRoche to third. J Bautista doubled to left,
A LaRoche scored. R Paulino singled to center, J Bautista scored, R Paulino to
second advancing on throw. C Izturis tripled to deep right, R Paulino scored.
W Ohman relieved J Marquis. P Maholm reached on bunt single to third, C Izturis
scored. N Morgan grounded out to second. (5 Runs, 6 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 5.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: G Soto singled to left. C Monroe singled to left center,
G Soto to second. R Theriot singled to deep left center, G Soto to third,
C Monroe to second. R Cedeno hit for W Ohman. R Cedeno singled to right center,
G Soto scored, C Monroe to third, R Theriot to second. F Osoria relieved
P Maholm. A Soriano popped out to third. M DeRosa struck out swinging. C Monroe
scored, R Theriot to third, R Cedeno to second on wild pitch by F Osoria. D Lee
flied out to right. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: A Soriano singled to left. M DeRosa lined out to
shortstop. D Lee grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, A Soriano safe
at second on error by second baseman F Sanchez. A Ramirez homered to left,
A Soriano and D Lee scored. J Grabow relieved F Osoria. M Murton reached on
infield single to shortstop. G Soto homered to left center, M Murton scored.
F Pie grounded out to second. R Theriot fouled out to second. (5 Runs, 4 Hits,
1 Error) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 12.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: B Bullington relieved J Grabow. J Jones lined out to
third. A Soriano flied out to left. M DeRosa reached on infield single to
third, M DeRosa to second on throwing error by third baseman J Bautista. D Lee
singled to left, M DeRosa scored. A Ramirez flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
1 Error) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 13.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: R Dempster relieved K Wood. A LaRoche struck out swinging.
X Nady homered to left. J Bautista singled to left. R Paulino lined out to
center. M Kata grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 8,
CHICAGO CUBS 13.</div>

 

NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PITTSBURGH (8) AT CHICAGO CUBS (13) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pittsburgh Starting Lineups -- N Morgan CF, N McLouth LF, F Sanchez 2B,
A LaRoche 1B, X Nady RF, J Bautista 3B, R Paulino C, C Izturis SS, P Maholm LHP.

Chicago Cubs Starting Lineups -- A Soriano LF, M DeRosa 2B, D Lee 1B,
A Ramirez 3B, M Murton RF, G Soto C, C Monroe CF, R Theriot SS, J Marquis RHP.

Umpires -- Tim Mcclelland (HP), Tom Hallion (1B), Bruce Dreckman (2B),
Phil Cuzzi (3B).

Gametime Weather: 85 degrees, Sunny, wind out to center at 8 mph.


PITTSBURGH 1ST: N Morgan singled to center. N Morgan stole second.
N McLouth walked. F Sanchez flied out to right, N Morgan to third. N McLouth
stole second. A LaRoche intentionally walked. X Nady grounded into fielder's
choice to third, N Morgan scored, A LaRoche out at second, N McLouth to third.
J Bautista lined out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 1,
CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano homered to center. M DeRosa hit by pitch.
D Lee singled to right, M DeRosa to second. A Ramirez homered to left, M DeRosa
and D Lee scored. M Murton reached on infield single to shortstop. G Soto
flied out to center. C Monroe struck out swinging. R Theriot singled to left,
M Murton to second. J Marquis struck out looking. (4 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 1, CHICAGO CUBS 4.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: R Paulino grounded out to second. C Izturis doubled to
right center. P Maholm struck out swinging. N Morgan singled to right, C
Izturis scored. N Morgan caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop.(1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 2, CHICAGO CUBS 4.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: A Soriano struck out swinging. M DeRosa grounded out to
shortstop. D Lee doubled to left. A Ramirez safe at first on throwing error
by shortstop C Izturis, D Lee scored. M Murton grounded out to second. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 2, CHICAGO CUBS 5.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: N McLouth singled to center. F Sanchez flied out to right.
A LaRoche doubled to deep right, N McLouth to third. X Nady grounded out to
second, N McLouth scored, A LaRoche to third. J Bautista doubled to left,
A LaRoche scored. R Paulino singled to center, J Bautista scored, R Paulino to
second advancing on throw. C Izturis tripled to deep right, R Paulino scored.
W Ohman relieved J Marquis. P Maholm reached on bunt single to third, C Izturis
scored. N Morgan grounded out to second. (5 Runs, 6 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 5.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: G Soto singled to left. C Monroe singled to left center,
G Soto to second. R Theriot singled to deep left center, G Soto to third,
C Monroe to second. R Cedeno hit for W Ohman. R Cedeno singled to right center,
G Soto scored, C Monroe to third, R Theriot to second. F Osoria relieved
P Maholm. A Soriano popped out to third. M DeRosa struck out swinging. C Monroe
scored, R Theriot to third, R Cedeno to second on wild pitch by F Osoria. D Lee
flied out to right. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: F Pie in center field. K Hart relieved W Ohman. N McLouth
struck out swinging. F Sanchez struck out swinging. A LaRoche walked. X Nady
walked, A LaRoche to second. J Bautista lined out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: M Kata at shortstop. A Ramirez grounded out to shortstop.
M Murton struck out swinging. G Soto lined out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: R Paulino struck out swinging. M Kata grounded out to
second. F Osoria grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: F Pie struck out swinging. R Theriot grounded out to
third. S Fuld hit for K Hart. S Fuld grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

PITTSBURGH 6TH: S Eyre relieved K Hart. N Morgan grounded out to second.
N McLouth flied out to center. F Sanchez walked. A LaRoche grounded out to
second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: A Soriano singled to left. M DeRosa lined out to
shortstop. D Lee grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, A Soriano safe
at second on error by second baseman F Sanchez. A Ramirez homered to left,
A Soriano and D Lee scored. J Grabow relieved F Osoria. M Murton reached on
infield single to shortstop. G Soto homered to left center, M Murton scored.
F Pie grounded out to second. R Theriot fouled out to second. (5 Runs, 4 Hits,
1 Error) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 12.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: C Marmol relieved S Eyre. J Jones in right field. X Nady
struck out swinging. J Bautista walked. R Paulino struck out looking. M Kata
singled to right, J Bautista to third. J Phelps hit for J Grabow. J Phelps
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 12.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: B Bullington relieved J Grabow. J Jones lined out to
third. A Soriano flied out to left. M DeRosa reached on infield single to
third, M DeRosa to second on throwing error by third baseman J Bautista. D Lee
singled to left, M DeRosa scored. A Ramirez flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
1 Error) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 13.

PITTSBURGH 8TH: K Wood relieved C Marmol. N Morgan flied out to left.
N McLouth struck out looking. F Sanchez struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 13.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: J Perez relieved B Bullington. H Blanco hit for K Wood.
H Blanco grounded out to pitcher. G Soto walked. F Pie walked, G Soto to
second. R Theriot grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first,
F Pie out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 7, CHICAGO CUBS 13.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: R Dempster relieved K Wood. A LaRoche struck out swinging.
X Nady homered to left. J Bautista singled to left. R Paulino lined out to
center. M Kata grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 8,
CHICAGO CUBS 13.</div>

 

Ramirez's two three-run homers help Cubs outlast Pirates

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 13, PITTSBURGH 8</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Aramis Ramirez and the Chicago Cubs are notmaking their division title run easy.


Ramirez hit two three-run homers, including one that snapped atie in the sixth inning, as the Cubs defeated the PittsburghPirates, 13-8, on Friday afternoon.


Alfonso Soriano and rookie Geovany Soto also homered for Chicago(81-73), which has won four of five to take two-game lead inthe National League Central Division over the Milwaukee Brewers(78-74) with eight games left.


Milwaukee, which has lost two straight, faces the Atlanta Braveson Friday night.


The setback extended Pittsburgh's losing streak to seven, tyinga season high.


In a game that saw 14 runs scored in the first three innings,the Cubs forged ahead three frames later.


With the contest tied at 7-7 in the bottom of the sixth, Sorianoled off with a single before a fielding error by Pittsburghsecond baseman Freddy Sanchez put runners at first and second.Ramirez then hammered a 1-0 pitch from rookie relieverFranquelis Osoria (0-2) into the left field bleachers to giveChicago a 10-7 lead.


It was the 25th blast for Ramirez and capped his 19th careermulti-homer effort. He has reached the 25-homer mark each ofthe last five seasons, and his six RBI matched his career high.

John Grabow relieved Osoria and gave up a single by Matt Murtonbefore serving up a first-pitch homer by Soto that put the Cubsup, 12-7.


Derrek Lee, who went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, added anRBI single in the seventh to make it 13-7.


Xavier nady belted a solo homer for the Pirates in the ninth tofinish the scoring.


Scott Eyre (2-1), who tossed a scoreless sixth, picked up thewin for Chicago.


Before the Cubs' late six-run eruption, things were hairy in thefirst several innings.


The Pirates took a quick lead in the first. They loaded thebases against Cubs starter Jason Marquis but only were able tosqueeze out one run when rookie Nyjer Morgan crossed the plateon a grounder by Nady.


The Cubs came roaring back in the bottom of the frame as Sorianohit his 10th leadoff homer of the season. Mark DeRosa was hitby a pitch and Lee singled to right before Ramirez deposited a2-1 pitch for Pirates starter Paul Maholm into the seats inleft, giving Chicago a 4-1 lead.


After the Pirates scored a run in the second on a single byMorgan, Lee scored on a throwing error by former Cubs shortstopCesar Izturis in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-2.

However, the Pirates erupted for five runs in the third to surgeahead. Nady plated the first run with a groundout and JoseBautista followed with a run-scoring double.


Ronny Paulino forged a 5-5 tie with an RBI single and scored onIzturis' triple. Will Ohman came on for Marquis to face Maholm,who helped his own cause with a bunt single that plated Izturisfor a 7-5 advantage.


Marquis lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing a season-high sevenruns, eight hits and two walks.


The Cubs rallied in the bottom of the third to knot the contestat 7-7. Pinch hitter Ronny Cedeno delivered an RBI single withthe bases loaded that spelled the end for Maholm. Osoriaentered and retired the first two batters he faced beforeuncorking a wild pitch that allowed Craig Monroe to score thetying run.


Maholm struggled just as much as Marquis, allowing seven runs -six earned - and 10 hits while walking a season-high six intwo-plus frames.


Osoria, who allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings, fell to 0-6lifetime.

 

Ramirez's two three-run homers help Cubs outlast Pirates

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 13, PITTSBURGH 8</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Aramis Ramirez and the Chicago Cubs are notmaking their division title run easy.


Ramirez hit two three-run homers, including one that snapped atie in the sixth inning, as the Cubs defeated the PittsburghPirates, 13-8, on Friday afternoon.


Alfonso Soriano and rookie Geovany Soto also homered for Chicago(81-73), which has won four of five to take two-game lead inthe National League Central Division over the Milwaukee Brewers(78-74) with eight games left.


Milwaukee, which has lost two straight, faces the Atlanta Braveson Friday night.


The setback extended Pittsburgh's losing streak to seven, tyinga season high.


In a game that saw 14 runs scored in the first three innings,the Cubs forged ahead three frames later.


With the contest tied at 7-7 in the bottom of the sixth, Sorianoled off with a single before a fielding error by Pittsburghsecond baseman Freddy Sanchez put runners at first and second.Ramirez then hammered a 1-0 pitch from rookie relieverFranquelis Osoria (0-2) into the left field bleachers to giveChicago a 10-7 lead.


It was the 25th blast for Ramirez and capped his 19th careermulti-homer effort. He has reached the 25-homer mark each ofthe last five seasons, and his six RBI matched his career high.

John Grabow relieved Osoria and gave up a single by Matt Murtonbefore serving up a first-pitch homer by Soto that put the Cubsup, 12-7.


Derrek Lee, who went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, added anRBI single in the seventh to make it 13-7.


Xavier nady belted a solo homer for the Pirates in the ninth tofinish the scoring.


Scott Eyre (2-1), who tossed a scoreless sixth, picked up thewin for Chicago.


Before the Cubs' late six-run eruption, things were hairy in thefirst several innings.


The Pirates took a quick lead in the first. They loaded thebases against Cubs starter Jason Marquis but only were able tosqueeze out one run when rookie Nyjer Morgan crossed the plateon a grounder by Nady.


The Cubs came roaring back in the bottom of the frame as Sorianohit his 10th leadoff homer of the season. Mark DeRosa was hitby a pitch and Lee singled to right before Ramirez deposited a2-1 pitch for Pirates starter Paul Maholm into the seats inleft, giving Chicago a 4-1 lead.


After the Pirates scored a run in the second on a single byMorgan, Lee scored on a throwing error by former Cubs shortstopCesar Izturis in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-2.

However, the Pirates erupted for five runs in the third to surgeahead. Nady plated the first run with a groundout and JoseBautista followed with a run-scoring double.


Ronny Paulino forged a 5-5 tie with an RBI single and scored onIzturis' triple. Will Ohman came on for Marquis to face Maholm,who helped his own cause with a bunt single that plated Izturisfor a 7-5 advantage.


Marquis lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing a season-high sevenruns, eight hits and two walks.


The Cubs rallied in the bottom of the third to knot the contestat 7-7. Pinch hitter Ronny Cedeno delivered an RBI single withthe bases loaded that spelled the end for Maholm. Osoriaentered and retired the first two batters he faced beforeuncorking a wild pitch that allowed Craig Monroe to score thetying run.


Maholm struggled just as much as Marquis, allowing seven runs -six earned - and 10 hits while walking a season-high six intwo-plus frames.


Osoria, who allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings, fell to 0-6lifetime.

 

Ramirez's two three-run homers help Cubs outlast Pirates

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 13, PITTSBURGH 8</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Aramis Ramirez and the Chicago Cubs are notmaking their division title run easy.


Ramirez hit two three-run homers, including one that snapped atie in the sixth inning, as the Cubs defeated the PittsburghPirates, 13-8, on Friday afternoon.


Alfonso Soriano and rookie Geovany Soto also homered for Chicago(81-73), which has won four of five to take a two-game lead inthe National League Central Division over the Milwaukee Brewers(78-74) with eight games left.


"We need another week of momentum," Cubs manager Lou Piniellasaid. "It feels good to win these games. They are all keygames and clutch games and these kids are performing."

Milwaukee, which has lost two straight, faces the Atlanta Braveson Friday night.


The setback extended Pittsburgh's losing streak to seven, tyinga season high.


In a game that saw 14 runs scored in the first three innings,the Cubs forged ahead three frames later.


With the contest tied at 7-7 in the bottom of the sixth, Sorianoled off with a single before a fielding error by Pittsburghsecond baseman Freddy Sanchez put runners on first and second.

Ramirez, who hit a three-run homer in the first off Paul Maholm,then hammered a 1-0 pitch from rookie reliever FranquelisOsoria (0-2) into the left field bleachers to give Chicago a10-7 lead.


"Osoria has a pretty good sinker," Ramirez said. "In thatsituation I am trying to hit something in the air and stay outof the double play. If I don't get it done, at least someoneelse has an opportunity to drive in a run."


It was the 25th blast for Ramirez and capped his 19th careermulti-homer effort. He has reached the 25-homer mark each ofthe last five seasons, and his six RBI matched his career high.

John Grabow relieved Osoria and gave up a single to Matt Murtonbefore serving up a first-pitch homer by Soto that put the Cubsup, 12-7.


Derrek Lee, who went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, added anRBI single in the seventh to make it 13-7.


"We have only eight games left so it is getting close," Leesaid. "We are in the drivers seat so if we take care of ourbusiness, we will be alright."


Xavier Nady belted a solo homer for the Pirates in the ninth tofinish the scoring.


Scott Eyre (2-1), who tossed a scoreless sixth, picked up thewin for Chicago.


Before the Cubs' late six-run eruption, things were hairy in thefirst several innings.


The Pirates took a quick lead in the first. They loaded thebases against Cubs starter Jason Marquis but were only able tosqueeze out one run when rookie Nyjer Morgan crossed the plateon a grounder by Nady.


The Cubs came roaring back in the bottom of the frame as Sorianohit his 10th leadoff homer of the season. Mark DeRosa was hitby a pitch and Lee singled to right before Ramirez deposited a2-1 pitch into the seats in left, giving Chicago a 4-1 lead.

After the Pirates scored a run in the second on a single byMorgan, Lee scored on a throwing error by former Cubs shortstopCesar Izturis in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-2.

"Izturis came out of the game with numbness in the last twofingers on his throwing hand," Pirates Manager Jim Tracy said."The ball he threw that got away has to do with his ulnar nerve.As a result, we had to remove him from the game."


However, the Pirates erupted for five runs in the third to surgeahead. Nady plated the first run with a groundout and JoseBautista followed with a run-scoring double.


Ronny Paulino forged a 5-5 tie with an RBI single and scored onIzturis' triple. Will Ohman came on for Marquis to face Maholm,who helped his own cause with a bunt single that plated Izturisfor a 7-5 advantage.


Marquis lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing a season-high sevenruns, eight hits and two walks.


"He was up in the strike zone all day," Piniella said. "His bestpitch is the sinker, he wasn't able to command it."

The Cubs rallied in the bottom of the third to knot the contestat 7-7. Pinch hitter Ronny Cedeno delivered an RBI single withthe bases loaded that spelled the end for Maholm. Osoriaentered and retired the first two batters he faced beforeuncorking a wild pitch that allowed Craig Monroe to score thetying run.


Maholm struggled just as much as Marquis, allowing seven runs -six earned - and 10 hits while walking a season-high six intwo-plus frames.


"The wind was blowing out and his ball was not in the strikezone, "Tracy said. "When the ball was in strike zone, it was inthe middle part of the plate and they hit it."


Osoria, who allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings, fell to 0-6lifetime.


"We didn't play well defensively today," Tracy said. "We gavethem six runs. If we don't do that, we put ourselves in aposition to win."