NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (4) VS CHICAGO CUBS (9) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg N Morgan cf 3 0 1 0 1 0 2 .269 J Bautista 3b 3 1 1 0 1 1 2 .260 F Sanchez 2b 4 0 1 1 0 0 3 .305 J Phelps 1b 3 0 0 0 1 2 2 .338 X Nady lf-rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .283 R Paulino c 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .262 S Pearce rf 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 .294 J Van Benschoten p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .143 M Kata ss 3 1 1 1 0 1 0 .250 Z Duke p 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 .258 a-C Izturis ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258 S Torres p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 N McLouth lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .255 Totals 29 4 7 4 4 7 14 a-grounded to second for Z Duke in the 5th. BATTING: 2B - M Kata (7, R Hill); J Bautista (34, B Howry). 3B - F Sanchez (4, B Howry). RBI - M Kata (9), Z Duke 2 (3), F Sanchez (81). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - F Sanchez 1, R Paulino 1. Team LOB - 5. BASERUNNING: SB - N Morgan (6, 2nd base off R Hill/G Soto). FIELDING: E - F Sanchez (9, throw). DP: 1 (F Sanchez-J Phelps). CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg A Soriano lf 4 2 3 5 1 1 0 .297 M DeRosa 2b 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 .294 D Lee 1b 4 2 4 1 0 0 0 .318 A Ramirez 3b 4 2 2 2 0 0 1 .315 M Murton rf 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .276 S Fuld rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 G Soto c 4 0 1 0 0 2 3 .385 C Monroe cf 1 0 0 0 1 1 2 .237 a-J Jones ph-cf 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 .274 R Theriot ss 4 2 3 0 0 0 0 .273 R Hill p 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .131 b-C Floyd ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .283 C Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 S Eyre p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 c-D Ward ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .324 B Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 35 9 15 8 3 9 13 a-struck out looking for C Monroe in the 5th; b-struck out looking for R Hill in the 5th; c-struck out looking for S Eyre in the 7th. BATTING: 2B - A Soriano (39, J Van Benschoten). HR - D Lee (19, 1st inning off Z Duke 0 on, 2 Out), A Soriano 2 (31, 2nd inning off Z Duke 0 on, 2 Out, 5th inning off S Torres 1 on, 2 Out), A Ramirez (26, 3rd inning off Z Duke 1 on, 0 Out). RBI - D Lee (76), A Soriano 5 (65), A Ramirez 2 (100). 2-out RBI - D Lee, A Soriano 5. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Monroe 1, M DeRosa 1, G Soto 2, R Hill 1. Team LOB - 8. BASERUNNING: SB - R Theriot (28, 2nd base off S Torres/R Paulino). FIELDING: Outfield assists - M Murton (N Morgan at 2nd base), S Fuld (N McLouth at 1st base). DP: 2 (M Murton-R Theriot, S Fuld-D Lee). ---------------------------------------------------- PITTSBURGH - 030 000 01 -- 4 CHICAGO CUBS - 212 020 2 -- 9 ---------------------------------------------------- PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era Z Duke 4 9 5 4 3 4 3 5.83 S Torres 1 2 2 2 0 3 1 5.59 J Van Benschoten 2 4 2 2 0 2 0 10.00 CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era R Hill 5 5 3 3 2 4 0 4.05 C Marmol 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 1.21 S Eyre 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.24 B Howry 1 2 1 1 0 1 0 3.45 Pitches-strikes: Z Duke 84-52; S Torres 26-15; J Van Benschoten 28-17; R Hill 74-45; C Marmol 18-11; S Eyre 11-6; B Howry 12-10. Ground balls-fly balls: Z Duke 6-2; S Torres 0-0; J Van Benschoten 0-3; R Hill 5-5; C Marmol 0-1; S Eyre 0-2; B Howry 1-1. Batters faced: Z Duke 24; S Torres 5; J Van Benschoten 9; R Hill 21; C Marmol 4; S Eyre 3; B Howry 5. UMPIRES: HP--Tom Hallion. 1B--Bruce Dreckman. 2B--Phil Cuzzi. 3B--Tim Mcclelland. Weather: 66 degrees, sunny. Wind: 7 mph, in from left.</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">NL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - PITTSBURGH 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 7 1 CHICAGO CUBS 2 1 2 0 2 0 2 0 9 15 0 (TOP 9) CURRENT PITCHERS: PIT - JOHN VAN BENSCHOTEN CHN - BOBBY HOWRY DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: J VAN BENSCHOTEN (.143, 0 HR, 0 RBI) M KATA (.250, 1-FOR-3, RBI) N MCLOUTH (.255, 0-FOR-0, BB)</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (4) VS CHICAGO CUBS (9) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg N Morgan cf 3 0 1 0 1 0 2 .269 J Bautista 3b 3 1 1 0 1 1 2 .260 F Sanchez 2b 4 0 1 1 0 0 3 .305 J Phelps 1b 3 0 0 0 1 2 2 .338 X Nady lf-rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .283 R Paulino c 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .262 S Pearce rf 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 .294 J Van Benschoten p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .143 M Kata ss 3 1 1 1 0 1 0 .250 Z Duke p 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 .258 a-C Izturis ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258 S Torres p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 N McLouth lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .255 Totals 29 4 7 4 4 7 14 a-grounded to second for Z Duke in the 5th. BATTING: 2B - M Kata (7, R Hill); J Bautista (34, B Howry). 3B - F Sanchez (4, B Howry). RBI - M Kata (9), Z Duke 2 (3), F Sanchez (81). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - F Sanchez 1, R Paulino 1. Team LOB - 5. BASERUNNING: SB - N Morgan (6, 2nd base off R Hill/G Soto). FIELDING: E - F Sanchez (9, throw). DP: 1 (F Sanchez-J Phelps). CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg A Soriano lf 4 2 3 5 1 1 0 .297 M DeRosa 2b 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 .294 D Lee 1b 5 2 4 1 0 1 0 .317 A Ramirez 3b 5 2 2 2 0 1 1 .315 M Murton rf 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .276 S Fuld rf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 G Soto c 5 0 1 0 0 2 4 .375 C Monroe cf 1 0 0 0 1 1 2 .237 a-J Jones ph-cf 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 .274 R Theriot ss 4 2 3 0 0 0 0 .273 R Hill p 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .131 b-C Floyd ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .283 C Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 S Eyre p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 c-D Ward ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .324 B Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 38 9 15 8 4 11 14 a-struck out looking for C Monroe in the 5th; b-struck out looking for R Hill in the 5th; c-struck out looking for S Eyre in the 7th. BATTING: 2B - A Soriano (39, J Van Benschoten). HR - D Lee (19, 1st inning off Z Duke 0 on, 2 Out), A Soriano 2 (31, 2nd inning off Z Duke 0 on, 2 Out, 5th inning off S Torres 1 on, 2 Out), A Ramirez (26, 3rd inning off Z Duke 1 on, 0 Out). RBI - D Lee (76), A Soriano 5 (65), A Ramirez 2 (100). 2-out RBI - D Lee, A Soriano 5. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Monroe 1, M DeRosa 1, G Soto 2, R Hill 1. Team LOB - 9. BASERUNNING: SB - R Theriot (28, 2nd base off S Torres/R Paulino). FIELDING: Outfield assists - M Murton (N Morgan at 2nd base), S Fuld (N McLouth at 1st base). DP: 2 (M Murton-R Theriot, S Fuld-D Lee). ---------------------------------------------------- PITTSBURGH - 030 000 01 -- 4 CHICAGO CUBS - 212 020 20 -- 9 ---------------------------------------------------- PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era Z Duke 4 9 5 4 3 4 3 5.83 S Torres 1 2 2 2 0 3 1 5.59 J Van Benschoten 3 4 2 2 1 4 0 9.73 CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era R Hill 5 5 3 3 2 4 0 4.05 C Marmol 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 1.21 S Eyre 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.24 B Howry 1 2 1 1 0 1 0 3.45 Pitches-strikes: Z Duke 84-52; S Torres 26-15; J Van Benschoten 53-30; R Hill 74-45; C Marmol 18-11; S Eyre 11-6; B Howry 12-10. Ground balls-fly balls: Z Duke 6-2; S Torres 0-0; J Van Benschoten 0-4; R Hill 5-5; C Marmol 0-1; S Eyre 0-2; B Howry 1-1. Batters faced: Z Duke 24; S Torres 5; J Van Benschoten 13; R Hill 21; C Marmol 4; S Eyre 3; B Howry 5. UMPIRES: HP--Tom Hallion. 1B--Bruce Dreckman. 2B--Phil Cuzzi. 3B--Tim Mcclelland. Weather: 66 degrees, sunny. Wind: 7 mph, in from left.</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - PITCHING CHANGE CHN: RYAN DEMPSTER (2-6, 4.16) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: PITTSBURGH 4, CHICAGO CUBS 9 DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: J VAN BENSCHOTEN (.143, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: R Dempster relieved B Howry. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: PITTSBURGH 4 CHICAGO CUBS 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: J Van Benschoten (.143, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: J Castillo hit for J Van Benschoten. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: PITTSBURGH 4 CHICAGO CUBS 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: J Castillo (.239, 0 HR, 23 RBI)</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - SCORING UPDATE SOLO HOME RUN BY NATE MCLOUTH (13) TO RIGHT WITH 2 OUT IN THE 9TH OFF RYAN DEMPSTER. CURRENT SCORE: PITTSBURGH 5, CHICAGO CUBS 9 DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: N MORGAN (.269, 1-FOR-3, BB)</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">NL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - PITTSBURGH 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 5 8 1 CHICAGO CUBS 2 1 2 0 2 0 2 0 x 9 15 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: PIT - ZACH DUKE, SALOMON TORRES (5TH), JOHN VAN BENSCHOTEN (6TH) AND RONNY PAULINO CHN - RICH HILL, CARLOS MARMOL (6TH), SCOTT EYRE (7TH), BOBBY HOWRY (8TH), RYAN DEMPSTER (9TH) AND GEOVANY SOTO HOME RUNS: PIT - NATE MCLOUTH (13) OFF RYAN DEMPSTER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON CHN - DERREK LEE (19) OFF ZACH DUKE IN THE 1ST, 0 ON ALFONSO SORIANO (30) OFF ZACH DUKE IN THE 2ND, 0 ON ARAMIS RAMIREZ (26) OFF ZACH DUKE IN THE 3RD, 1 ON ALFONSO SORIANO (31) OFF SALOMON TORRES IN THE 5TH, 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 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 5 8 1 CHICAGO CUBS 2 1 2 0 2 0 2 0 x 9 15 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: PIT - ZACH DUKE, SALOMON TORRES (5TH), JOHN VAN BENSCHOTEN (6TH) AND RONNY PAULINO CHN - RICH HILL, CARLOS MARMOL (6TH), SCOTT EYRE (7TH), BOBBY HOWRY (8TH), RYAN DEMPSTER (9TH) AND GEOVANY SOTO WP - RICH HILL (10-8) LP - ZACH DUKE (3-8) SAVE - NONE HOME RUNS: PIT - NATE MCLOUTH (13) OFF RYAN DEMPSTER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON CHN - DERREK LEE (19) OFF ZACH DUKE IN THE 1ST, 0 ON ALFONSO SORIANO (30) OFF ZACH DUKE IN THE 2ND, 0 ON ARAMIS RAMIREZ (26) OFF ZACH DUKE IN THE 3RD, 1 ON ALFONSO SORIANO (31) OFF SALOMON TORRES IN THE 5TH, 1 ON TIME: 2:35 ATT: 41,271 PROBABLES: PIT - TOM GORZELANNY (14-8, 3.55) CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO (16-13, 4.20)</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">PITTSBURGH (5) VS CHICAGO CUBS (9) - FINAL PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg N Morgan cf 4 0 1 0 1 0 2 .266 J Bautista 3b 3 1 1 0 1 1 2 .260 F Sanchez 2b 4 0 1 1 0 0 3 .305 J Phelps 1b 3 0 0 0 1 2 2 .338 X Nady lf-rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .283 R Paulino c 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .262 S Pearce rf 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 .294 J Van Benschoten p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .143 b-J Castillo ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .238 M Kata ss 4 1 1 1 0 1 0 .247 Z Duke p 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 .258 a-C Izturis ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258 S Torres p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 N McLouth lf 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 .257 Totals 33 5 8 5 4 8 14 a-grounded to second for Z Duke in the 5th; b-struck out swinging for J Van Benschoten in the 9th. BATTING: 2B - M Kata (7, R Hill); J Bautista (34, B Howry). 3B - F Sanchez (4, B Howry). HR - N Mclouth (13, 9th inning off R Dempster 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - M Kata (9), Z Duke 2 (3), F Sanchez (81), N McLouth (35). 2-out RBI - N McLouth. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - F Sanchez 1, R Paulino 1. Team LOB - 5. BASERUNNING: SB - N Morgan (6, 2nd base off R Hill/G Soto). FIELDING: E - F Sanchez (9, throw). DP: 1 (F Sanchez-J Phelps). CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg A Soriano lf 4 2 3 5 1 1 0 .297 M DeRosa 2b 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 .294 D Lee 1b 5 2 4 1 0 1 0 .317 A Ramirez 3b 5 2 2 2 0 1 1 .315 M Murton rf 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .276 S Fuld rf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 G Soto c 5 0 1 0 0 2 4 .375 C Monroe cf 1 0 0 0 1 1 2 .237 a-J Jones ph-cf 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 .274 R Theriot ss 4 2 3 0 0 0 0 .273 R Hill p 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .131 b-C Floyd ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .283 C Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 S Eyre p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 c-D Ward ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .324 B Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 R Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 38 9 15 8 4 11 14 a-struck out looking for C Monroe in the 5th; b-struck out looking for R Hill in the 5th; c-struck out looking for S Eyre in the 7th. BATTING: 2B - A Soriano (39, J Van Benschoten). HR - D Lee (19, 1st inning off Z Duke 0 on, 2 Out), A Soriano 2 (31, 2nd inning off Z Duke 0 on, 2 Out, 5th inning off S Torres 1 on, 2 Out), A Ramirez (26, 3rd inning off Z Duke 1 on, 0 Out). RBI - D Lee (76), A Soriano 5 (65), A Ramirez 2 (100). 2-out RBI - D Lee, A Soriano 5. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Monroe 1, M DeRosa 1, G Soto 2, R Hill 1. Team LOB - 9. BASERUNNING: SB - R Theriot (28, 2nd base off S Torres/R Paulino). FIELDING: Outfield assists - M Murton (N Morgan at 2nd base), S Fuld (N McLouth at 1st base). DP: 2 (M Murton-R Theriot, S Fuld-D Lee). ---------------------------------------------------- PITTSBURGH - 030 000 011 -- 5 CHICAGO CUBS - 212 020 20x -- 9 ---------------------------------------------------- PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era Z Duke (L, 3-8) 4 9 5 4 3 4 3 5.83 S Torres 1 2 2 2 0 3 1 5.59 J Van Benschoten 3 4 2 2 1 4 0 9.73 CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era R Hill (W, 10-8) 5 5 3 3 2 4 0 4.05 C Marmol 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 1.21 S Eyre 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.24 B Howry 1 2 1 1 0 1 0 3.45 R Dempster 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 4.24 Pitches-strikes: Z Duke 84-52; S Torres 26-15; J Van Benschoten 53-30; R Hill 74-45; C Marmol 18-11; S Eyre 11-6; B Howry 12-10; R Dempster 16-11. Ground balls-fly balls: Z Duke 6-2; S Torres 0-0; J Van Benschoten 0-4; R Hill 5-5; C Marmol 0-1; S Eyre 0-2; B Howry 1-1; R Dempster 1-1. Batters faced: Z Duke 24; S Torres 5; J Van Benschoten 13; R Hill 21; C Marmol 4; S Eyre 3; B Howry 5; R Dempster 4. UMPIRES: HP--Tom Hallion. 1B--Bruce Dreckman. 2B--Phil Cuzzi. 3B--Tim Mcclelland. T--2:35. Att--41,271. Weather: 66 degrees, sunny. Wind: 7 mph, in from left.</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">** CONFIRMED ** NL PITTSBURGH 5 CHICAGO CUBS 9 FINAL</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PITTSBURGH (5) AT CHICAGO CUBS (9) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano struck out swinging. M DeRosa lined out to center. D Lee homered to left. A Ramirez singled to center. M Murton singled to right, A Ramirez to second. G Soto reached on infield single to second, A Ramirez to third, M Murton to second, A Ramirez scored, M Murton to third on throwing error by second baseman F Sanchez. C Monroe struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 0, CHICAGO CUBS 2. PITTSBURGH 2ND: X Nady grounded out to shortstop. R Paulino singled to center. S Pearce singled to left, R Paulino to second. M Kata doubled to right, R Paulino scored, S Pearce to third. Z Duke singled to left, S Pearce and M Kata scored. N Morgan fouled out to first. J Bautista struck out looking. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 2. CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: R Theriot grounded out to pitcher. R Hill grounded out to third. A Soriano homered to right. M DeRosa popped out to shortstop. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 3. CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: D Lee singled to right. A Ramirez homered to left, D Lee scored. M Murton struck out swinging. G Soto struck out swinging. C Monroe walked. R Theriot reached on infield single to shortstop, C Monroe to second. R Hill grounded out to pitcher. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 5. CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: S Torres relieved Z Duke. J Jones hit for C Monroe. J Jones struck out looking. R Theriot singled to left. C Floyd hit for R Hill. C Floyd struck out looking. R Theriot stole second. A Soriano homered to left center, R Theriot scored. M DeRosa struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 7. CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: G Soto struck out swinging. J Jones singled to left. R Theriot singled to right, J Jones to second. D Ward hit for S Eyre. D Ward struck out looking. A Soriano doubled to deep left, J Jones and R Theriot scored. M DeRosa lined out to right. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 9. PITTSBURGH 8TH: B Howry relieved S Eyre. J Bautista hit a ground rule double to deep center. F Sanchez tripled to deep right, J Bautista scored. J Phelps struck out swinging. X Nady grounded out to pitcher. R Paulino flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, CHICAGO CUBS 9. PITTSBURGH 9TH: R Dempster relieved B Howry. J Castillo hit for J Van Benschoten. J Castillo struck out swinging. M Kata flied out to left. N McLouth homered to right. N Morgan grounded out to first. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 5, CHICAGO CUBS 9.</div>
NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PITTSBURGH (5) AT CHICAGO CUBS (9) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pittsburgh Starting Lineups -- N Morgan CF, J Bautista 3B, F Sanchez 2B, J Phelps 1B, X Nady LF, R Paulino C, S Pearce RF, M Kata SS, Z Duke 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, R Hill LHP. Umpires -- Tom Hallion (HP), Bruce Dreckman (1B), Phil Cuzzi (2B), Tim Mcclelland (3B). Gametime Weather: 66 degrees, Sunny, wind in from left at 7 mph. PITTSBURGH 1ST: N Morgan reached on bunt single to pitcher. J Bautista walked, N Morgan to second. F Sanchez flied into double play, right to shortstop, N Morgan doubled off second. J Phelps grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Bautista out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 0, CHICAGO CUBS 0. CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano struck out swinging. M DeRosa lined out to center. D Lee homered to left. A Ramirez singled to center. M Murton singled to right, A Ramirez to second. G Soto reached on infield single to second, A Ramirez to third, M Murton to second, A Ramirez scored, M Murton to third on throwing error by second baseman F Sanchez. C Monroe struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) PITTSBURGH 0, CHICAGO CUBS 2. PITTSBURGH 2ND: X Nady grounded out to shortstop. R Paulino singled to center. S Pearce singled to left, R Paulino to second. M Kata doubled to right, R Paulino scored, S Pearce to third. Z Duke singled to left, S Pearce and M Kata scored. N Morgan fouled out to first. J Bautista struck out looking. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 2. CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: R Theriot grounded out to pitcher. R Hill grounded out to third. A Soriano homered to right. M DeRosa popped out to shortstop. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 3. PITTSBURGH 3RD: F Sanchez grounded out to shortstop. J Phelps struck out swinging. X Nady struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 3. CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: D Lee singled to right. A Ramirez homered to left, D Lee scored. M Murton struck out swinging. G Soto struck out swinging. C Monroe walked. R Theriot reached on infield single to shortstop, C Monroe to second. R Hill grounded out to pitcher. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 5. PITTSBURGH 4TH: R Paulino fouled out to first. S Pearce fouled out to catcher. M Kata struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 5. CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: A Soriano walked. M DeRosa grounded into fielder's choice to third, A Soriano out at second. D Lee singled to left, M DeRosa to second. A Ramirez grounded out to second, M DeRosa to third, D Lee to second. M Murton walked. G Soto grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 5. PITTSBURGH 5TH: C Izturis hit for Z Duke. C Izturis grounded out to second. N Morgan walked. N Morgan stole second. J Bautista fouled out to first. F Sanchez grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 5. CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: S Torres relieved Z Duke. J Jones hit for C Monroe. J Jones struck out looking. R Theriot singled to left. C Floyd hit for R Hill. C Floyd struck out looking. R Theriot stole second. A Soriano homered to left center, R Theriot scored. M DeRosa struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 7. PITTSBURGH 6TH: J Jones in center field. C Marmol relieved R Hill. J Phelps walked. X Nady flied out to left. R Paulino struck out looking. S Pearce struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 7. CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: X Nady in right field. J Van Benschoten relieved S Torres. N McLouth in left field. D Lee singled to center. A Ramirez popped into double play, second to first, D Lee doubled off first. M Murton flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 7. PITTSBURGH 7TH: S Eyre relieved C Marmol. S Fuld in right field. M Kata flied out to right. N McLouth walked. N Morgan flied into double play, right to first, N McLouth doubled off first.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 7. CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: G Soto struck out swinging. J Jones singled to left. R Theriot singled to right, J Jones to second. D Ward hit for S Eyre. D Ward struck out looking. A Soriano doubled to deep left, J Jones and R Theriot scored. M DeRosa lined out to right. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 3, CHICAGO CUBS 9. PITTSBURGH 8TH: B Howry relieved S Eyre. J Bautista hit a ground rule double to deep center. F Sanchez tripled to deep right, J Bautista scored. J Phelps struck out swinging. X Nady grounded out to pitcher. R Paulino flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, CHICAGO CUBS 9. CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: D Lee struck out looking. A Ramirez struck out swinging. S Fuld walked. G Soto flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 4, CHICAGO CUBS 9. PITTSBURGH 9TH: R Dempster relieved B Howry. J Castillo hit for J Van Benschoten. J Castillo struck out swinging. M Kata flied out to left. N McLouth homered to right. N Morgan grounded out to first. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) PITTSBURGH 5, CHICAGO CUBS 9.</div>
Soriano homers twice as Cubs top Pirates <h3>CHICAGO CUBS 9, PITTSBURGH 5</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs continue to power theirway toward the National League Central Division title. Alfonso Soriano hit two home runs and had five RBI as the Cubsdefeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-5, on Saturday. Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez also homered for the Cubs, whohave hit 36 homers in 22 games this month. The Cubs (82-73)moved two games ahead Milwaukee (79-74), which is visitingAtlanta on Saturday. Soriano's first blast of the game, his 30th of the season, was asolo shot that tied the game at 3-3 in the second inning.After Ramirez belted his two-run shot in the third, Soriano madeit 7-3 in the fifth with a two-run home run. Soriano, who added a two-run double in the seventh, has homeredin his last three games and has 12 longballs this month. Ramirez has been on fire at Wrigley Field, where he is batting.414 (12-for-29) with six home runs and 14 RBI in his last eightgames. Cubs starter Rich Hill (10-8) was the beneficiary of the powersurge as he picked up the win after allowing three runs, fivehits and two walks while striking out four in five innings. Pittsburgh's Zach Duke (3-8) was pinned with the loss aftergiving up five runs - four earned - and nine hits in fourinnings. The lefthander, who also allowed three walks andstruck out four, had come in 4-1 with a 1.57 ERA in seven careerstarts against the Cubs. Duke also provided a two-run single and Nate McLouth added alate solo home run though it did little to help the Piratesavoid their season-high eighth straight loss. Lee finished the game with four hits for Chicago, which has wonthree in a row and nine of 11.
Soriano homers twice as Cubs top Pirates <h3>CHICAGO CUBS 9, PITTSBURGH 5</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs continue to power theirway toward the National League Central Division title. Alfonso Soriano hit two home runs and had five RBI as the Cubsdefeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-5, on Saturday. Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez also homered for the Cubs, whohave hit 36 homers in 22 games this month. The Cubs (82-73)moved two games ahead Milwaukee (79-74), which is visitingAtlanta on Saturday. "Today was all about our big guys," Cubs manager Lou Piniellasaid. "Soriano, Lee and Ramirez. This time of year, this iswhat you hope for from them. It's exactly what we are getting." Soriano's first blast of the game, his 30th of the season, was asolo shot that tied the game at 3-3 in the second inning. AfterRamirez belted his two-run shot in the third, Soriano made it7-3 in the fifth with a two-run home run. "This is the best month I have had this year," Soriano said."We haven't made the playoffs yet and Milwaukee is playinggood. It is a good time for our offense to be hitting." Soriano, who added a two-run double in the seventh, has homeredin his last three games and has 12 longballs this month. Ramirez has been on fire at Wrigley Field, where he is batting.414 (12-for-29) with six home runs and 14 RBI in his last eightgames. "There is no good reason that we are suddenly hitting all thesehome runs," Ramirez said. "When home runs come, they come inbunches. That is what is happening right now." Cubs starter Rich Hill (10-8) was the beneficiary of the powersurge as he picked up the win after allowing three runs, fivehits and two walks while striking out four in five innings. "The positive thing was battling back and having a 1-2-3 (third)inning after giving up the three runs (in the second inning),"Hill said. "To only get through five innings today isdisappointing. Right now though, a win is a win, you take it." Pittsburgh's Zach Duke (3-8) was pinned with the loss aftergiving up five runs - four earned - and nine hits in fourinnings. The lefthander, who also allowed three walks andstruck out four, had come in 4-1 with a 1.57 ERA in seven careerstarts against the Cubs. "I made some mistakes today and the Cubs didn't miss them," Dukesaid. "They are hungry and can taste the playoffs right now.The Cubs are a totally different team than we saw earlier in theyear." Duke also provided a two-run single and Nate McLouth added alate solo home run though it did little to help the Piratesavoid their season-high eighth straight loss. Lee finished the game with four hits for Chicago, which has wonthree in a row and nine of 11. "This is an exciting time," Piniella said. "If you can'texcited about games like this, you aren't a very excitableperson."
Soriano homers twice as Cubs top Pirates <h3>CHICAGO CUBS 9, PITTSBURGH 5</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs continue to power theirway toward the National League Central Division title. Alfonso Soriano hit two home runs and had five RBI as the Cubsdefeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-5, on Saturday. Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez also homered for the Cubs, whohave hit 36 homers in 22 games this month. The Cubs (82-73)moved 2 1/2 games ahead Milwaukee (79-75), which dropped a 4-3decision in 11 innings at Atlanta on Saturday. "Today was all about our big guys," Cubs manager Lou Piniellasaid. "Soriano, Lee and Ramirez. This time of year, this iswhat you hope for from them. It's exactly what we are getting." Soriano's first blast of the game, his 30th of the season, was asolo shot that tied the game at 3-3 in the second inning. AfterRamirez belted his two-run shot in the third, Soriano made it7-3 in the fifth with a two-run home run. "This is the best month I have had this year," Soriano said. "Wehaven't made the playoffs yet and Milwaukee is playing good.It is a good time for our offense to be hitting." Soriano, who added a two-run double in the seventh, has homeredin his last three games and has 12 longballs this month. Ramirez has been on fire at Wrigley Field, where he is batting.414 (12-for-29) with six home runs and 14 RBI in his last eightgames. "There is no good reason that we are suddenly hitting all thesehome runs," Ramirez said. "When home runs come, they come inbunches. That is what is happening right now." Cubs starter Rich Hill (10-8) was the beneficiary of the powersurge as he picked up the win after allowing three runs, fivehits and two walks while striking out four in five innings. "The positive thing was battling back and having a 1-2-3 (third)inning after giving up the three runs (in the second inning),"Hill said. "To only get through five innings today isdisappointing. Right now though, a win is a win, you take it." Pittsburgh's Zach Duke (3-8) was pinned with the loss aftergiving up five runs - four earned - and nine hits in fourinnings. The lefthander, who also allowed three walks andstruck out four, had come in 4-1 with a 1.57 ERA in seven careerstarts against the Cubs. "I made some mistakes today and the Cubs didn't miss them," Dukesaid. "They are hungry and can taste the playoffs right now.The Cubs are a totally different team than we saw earlier in theyear." Duke also provided a two-run single and Nate McLouth added alate solo home run though it did little to help the Piratesavoid their season-high eighth straight loss. Lee finished the game with four hits for Chicago, which has wonthree in a row and nine of 11. "This is an exciting time," Piniella said. "If you can'texcited about games like this, you aren't a very excitableperson."
Re: NL: PITTSBURGH at CHICAGO CUBS Cubs win, Brewers lose.</p> This assures the winning season. </p> Magic number of 6, looks like Cubs are going to make the playoffs. </p> This is our year guys! Ramirez and Soriano are getting hot just for the playoffs.</p>
