GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: CHICAGO CUBS at CINCINNATI

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 6 10 0
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO, BOBBY HOWRY (8TH), RYAN DEMPSTER (9TH) AND
JASON KENDALL

CIN - BRONSON ARROYO, TODD COFFEY (7TH), MIKE STANTON
(8TH), BRAD SALMON (8TH), MARCUS MCBETH (9TH) AND JAVIER
VALENTIN


WP - CARLOS ZAMBRANO (18-13)
LP - BRONSON ARROYO (9-15)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: CHN - ALFONSO SORIANO (32) OFF BRONSON ARROYO IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
DERREK LEE (22) OFF BRONSON ARROYO IN THE 5TH, 1 ON

CIN - NONE


TIME: 2:42 ATT: 32,193

PROBABLES: CHN - RICH HILL (10-8, 4.05)
CIN - AARON HARANG (16-5, 3.70)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (6) VS CINCINNATI (0) - FINAL

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 5 2 2 1 0 2 1 .295
J Kendall c 5 0 0 0 0 2 1 .267
D Lee 1b 4 1 1 2 0 1 0 .317
C Floyd rf 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .285
F Pie cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .211
A Ramirez 3b 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .312
M DeRosa 2b 4 2 2 0 0 0 0 .294
J Jones cf-rf 4 0 3 2 0 0 0 .282
R Theriot ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 3 .269
C Zambrano p 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .247
B Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-M Fontenot ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .283
R Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 35 6 10 6 1 6 8

a-flied out to left for B Howry in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - A Soriano (41, B Arroyo); J Jones (32, B Salmon). HR - A Soriano
(32, 1st inning off B Arroyo 0 on, 0 Out), D Lee (22, 5th inning off B Arroyo 1
on, 2 Out). SF - R Theriot. RBI - A Soriano (67), R Theriot (45), D Lee 2 (82),
J Jones 2 (65). 2-out RBI - D Lee 2, J Jones 2. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - A Soriano 1. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - A Soriano (J Votto at Home). DP: 1 (R Theriot-M
DeRosa-D Lee).


CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .330
J Keppinger ss 4 0 3 0 0 0 0 .340
J Votto 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .329
B Phillips 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .289
E Encarnacion 3b 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .291
J Valentin c 3 0 1 0 1 0 2 .276
B Coats lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .231
J Ellison rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .171
B Arroyo p 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .143
T Coffey p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-M Bellhorn ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .083
M Stanton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Salmon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M McBeth p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 33 0 8 0 1 5 12

a-grounded to first for T Coffey in the 7th.

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Valentin 1, E Encarnacion
1. GIDP - B Coats. Team LOB - 7.

FIELDING: E - N Hopper (1, throw). Outfield assists - B Coats (J Jones at
Home). PB - J Valentin.


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 110 020 020 -- 6
CINCINNATI - 000 000 000 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano (W, 18-13) 7 6 0 0 1 4 0 3.95
B Howry 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.36
R Dempster 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.25

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
B Arroyo (L, 9-15) 6 6 4 3 1 1 2 4.23
T Coffey 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 5.94
M Stanton 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 6.04
B Salmon 1/3 4 2 2 0 0 0 4.12
M McBeth 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.95

HBP - C Floyd (by B Arroyo). Pitches-strikes: C Zambrano 110-70; B Howry
11-9; R Dempster 13-9; B Arroyo 95-61; T Coffey 17-13; M Stanton 13-9; B Salmon
6-5; M McBeth 19-14. Ground balls-fly balls: C Zambrano 11-5; B Howry 0-2; R
Dempster 3-0; B Arroyo 6-11; T Coffey 0-0; M Stanton 0-1; B Salmon 0-0; M
McBeth 0-2. Batters faced: C Zambrano 27; B Howry 4; R Dempster 3; B Arroyo 26;
T Coffey 3; M Stanton 2; B Salmon 4; M McBeth 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Lance Barksdale. 1B--Tim Welke. 2B--Jim Reynolds. 3B--Gary
Cederstrom.

T--2:42. Att--32,193.
Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, out to
center.</div>

 

Soriano and Zambrano the stars as Cubs move closer to division title

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 6, CINCINNATI 0</h3>CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Alfonso Soriano was brought to Chicagofor games like this.


Soriano blasted a leadoff homer and gunned down a runner at theplate, helping the Chicago Cubs reduce their magic number to oneto clinch the National League Central Division with a 6-0victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.


Carlos Zambrano (18-13) threw seven scoreless innings and DerrekLee blasted a two-run homer for the Cubs (84-76), who canclinch the division title for the first time since 2003 if theMilwaukee Brewers (81-78) lose to the San Diego Padres onFriday.


After being swept by the lowly Florida Marlins, Chicago needed astrong start and Soriano came through.


Signed to an eight-year, $136 million free-agent contract lastwinter, Soriano blasted an 0-2 fastball from Bronson Arroyo(9-15) into the right-center field seats for his 11th leadoffhomer of the season and a 1-0 lead.


It was the 32nd home run of the season and 13th of September forSoriano, who set a major league record with his sixth leadoffhomer of the month.


A much-maligned left fielder, Soriano helped protect a 2-0 leadin the third as he gunned down rookie Joey Votto at the plate.The Reds threatened by recording three consecutive singles offZambrano.


The third batter, Edwin Encarnacion slapped a single into left,but Soriano charged hard and threw a bullet that Jason Kendallcaught up the third base line and tagged Votto as he slid by.

Soriano continued his stellar night in the fifth, as he hit aone-out double and later scored on Lee's two-run homer to leftfield for a 4-0 lead.


That was more than enough for Zambrano, who entered the gamejust 1-4 with a 6.59 ERA vs. the Reds this season. However, hehad no trouble in this one, allowing just six hits with fourstrikeouts and one walk. The burly righthander allowed just tworunners to reach scoring position as he extended hiscareer-high win total.


Meanwhile, Arroyo allowed four runs - three earned - six hits insix innings for Cincinnati, which has lost six straight.

Jacque Jones, who had three hits, delivered a two-run double inthe eighth to make it 6-0.

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
CHICAGO CUBS 6
CINCINNATI 0 FINAL</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHICAGO CUBS (6) AT CINCINNATI (0) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano homered to center. J Kendall struck out
swinging. D Lee lined out to center. C Floyd hit by pitch. A Ramirez
grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 1, CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: M DeRosa singled to center. J Jones singled to right,
M DeRosa to second. M DeRosa to third, J Jones to second on passed ball by
J Valentin. R Theriot hit sacrifice fly to center, M DeRosa scored, J Jones to
third on throwing error by center fielder N Hopper. C Zambrano popped out to
second. A Soriano lined out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) CHICAGO CUBS 2,
CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: C Zambrano grounded out to first. A Soriano doubled to
left. J Kendall flied out to left. D Lee homered to left center, A Soriano
scored. C Floyd grounded out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 4, CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: M Stanton relieved T Coffey. D Lee struck out swinging.
C Floyd lined out to center. B Salmon relieved M Stanton. A Ramirez singled to
center. M DeRosa singled to left center, A Ramirez to second. J Jones doubled
to deep left, A Ramirez and M DeRosa scored. R Theriot singled to left,
J Jones thrown out at home. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 6,
CINCINNATI 0.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHICAGO CUBS (6) AT CINCINNATI (0) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Cincinnati Starting Lineups -- N Hopper CF, J Keppinger SS, J Votto 1B,
B Phillips 2B, E Encarnacion 3B, J Valentin C, B Coats LF, J Ellison RF, B Arroyo RHP.

Umpires -- Lance Barksdale (HP), Tim Welke (1B), Jim Reynolds (2B),
Gary Cederstrom (3B).

Gametime Weather: 76 degrees, Clear, wind out to center at 7 mph.


CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano homered to center. J Kendall struck out
swinging. D Lee lined out to center. C Floyd hit by pitch. A Ramirez
grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 1, CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 1ST: N Hopper grounded out to first. J Keppinger reached on
infield single to second. J Votto flied out to center. B Phillips flied out
to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 1, CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: M DeRosa singled to center. J Jones singled to right,
M DeRosa to second. M DeRosa to third, J Jones to second on passed ball by
J Valentin. R Theriot hit sacrifice fly to center, M DeRosa scored, J Jones to
third on throwing error by center fielder N Hopper. C Zambrano popped out to
second. A Soriano lined out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) CHICAGO CUBS 2,
CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 2ND: E Encarnacion struck out swinging. J Valentin grounded out
to shortstop. B Coats grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 2, CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: J Kendall grounded out to third. D Lee flied out to
right. C Floyd walked. A Ramirez grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop,
C Floyd out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2, CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 3RD: J Ellison grounded out to third. B Arroyo flied out to
center. N Hopper grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 2, CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: M DeRosa flied out to center. J Jones grounded out to
second. R Theriot flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 2, CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 4TH: J Keppinger grounded out to second. J Votto singled to
right center. B Phillips singled to left center, J Votto to second.
E Encarnacion singled to left, J Votto thrown out at home, B Phillips to second.
J Valentin flied out to left. (0 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2,
CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: C Zambrano grounded out to first. A Soriano doubled to
left. J Kendall flied out to left. D Lee homered to left center, A Soriano
scored. C Floyd grounded out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 4, CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 5TH: B Coats grounded out to first. J Ellison flied out to
center. B Arroyo singled to left. N Hopper grounded out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 4, CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: A Ramirez flied out to right. M DeRosa fouled out to
first. J Jones reached on infield single to third. R Theriot flied out to
center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 4, CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 6TH: J Keppinger singled to center. J Votto grounded out to
catcher, J Keppinger to second. B Phillips grounded out to second, J Keppinger
to third. E Encarnacion struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 4, CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: T Coffey relieved B Arroyo. C Zambrano struck out
swinging. A Soriano struck out swinging. J Kendall struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 4, CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 7TH: J Valentin walked. B Coats struck out swinging. J Ellison
struck out swinging. M Bellhorn hit for T Coffey. M Bellhorn grounded out to
first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 4, CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: M Stanton relieved T Coffey. D Lee struck out swinging.
C Floyd lined out to center. B Salmon relieved M Stanton. A Ramirez singled to
center. M DeRosa singled to left center, A Ramirez to second. J Jones doubled
to deep left, A Ramirez and M DeRosa scored. R Theriot singled to left,
J Jones thrown out at home. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 6,
CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 8TH: B Howry relieved C Zambrano. J Jones in right field. F Pie
in center field. N Hopper struck out swinging. J Keppinger singled to center.
J Votto flied out to center. B Phillips popped out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 6, CINCINNATI 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 9TH: M McBeth relieved B Salmon. M Fontenot hit for B Howry.
M Fontenot flied out to left. A Soriano struck out swinging. J Kendall flied
out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 6, CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 9TH: R Dempster relieved B Howry. E Encarnacion grounded out to
third. J Valentin singled to center. B Coats grounded into double play,
shortstop to second to first, J Valentin out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 6, CINCINNATI 0.</div>

 

Soriano, Zambrano excel as Cubs move closer to division title

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 6, CINCINNATI 0</h3>CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs have punched theirticket to the postseason. Now they need to work on ending a99-year World Series title drought.


Soriano blasted a leadoff homer and threw out a runner at theplate, helping the Chicago Cubs clinch the National LeagueCentral Division for the first time since 2003 with a 6-0 winover the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.


Chicago's celebration had to wait until the San Diego Padresbeat the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-3, a few hours later.

Carlos Zambrano (18-13) threw seven scoreless innings and DerrekLee hit a two-run homer for the Cubs, who won just their thirdpennant since 1989.


"It's been a long summer. It really has," Piniella said. "Westarted off with Soriano in center field and that didn't workout - we should have started him in left field. He's morecomfortable there."


"Zambrano was pretty sharp," Cincinnati interim manager PeteMackanin said. "He mixed his pitches well. And that Soriano,not only does he hit the home run to jumpstart them, but he hasthe assist. He hurt us in Chicago like that, too. They beatus, fair and square. They outhit us and outpitched us."

After being swept by the lowly Florida Marlins, Chicago needed astrong start and Soriano came through.


"I told my coaches that Florida would be a tough place to play,"Piniella said. "We were used to playing in St. Louis with abig crowd where it was a little cooler, then you go to whereit's really warm to a big ballpark with no one there."

Signed to an eight-year, $136 million free-agent contract lastwinter, Soriano blasted an 0-2 fastball from Bronson Arroyo(9-15) into the right-center field seats for his 11th leadoffhomer of the season.


It was the 32nd home run of the season and 13th of September forSoriano, who set a major league record with his sixth leadoffhomer of the month.


A much-maligned left fielder, Soriano helped protect a 2-0 leadin the third as he threw out rookie Joey Votto at the plate. TheReds threatened by recording three consecutive singles offZambrano.


The third batter, Edwin Encarnacion slapped a single into left,but Soriano charged hard and threw a bullet that Jason Kendallcaught up the third base line and tagged Votto as he slid by.

"In center field, I had to cover both gaps. I am morecomfortable in left field," said Soriano, who registered his19th assist, the most by a Cubs outfielder since Hank Sauer had19 in 1951.


Soriano continued his stellar night in the fifth, as he hit aone-out double and later scored on Lee's two-run homer to leftfield for a 4-0 lead.


That was more than enough for Zambrano, who entered the gamejust 1-4 with a 6.59 ERA vs. the Reds this season. However, hehad no trouble in this one, allowing just six hits with fourstrikeouts and one walk. The burly righthander allowed just tworunners to reach scoring position as he extended hiscareer-high win total.


"I am very happy to pitch in this game," Zambrano said. "I lostto them four times this year and in the most important game, wewin. Thank God for that. I was able to throw strikes and ableto make my pitches. I said, 'Whatever happens, happens.' I washungry but I wasn't too excited. I felt calm."


"He pitched. He didn't have his really, really good stuff buthe pitched," Piniella said. "We got good starting pitching, andscored early, then got it to our bullpen. That's been ourformula for success this summer."


Meanwhile, Arroyo allowed four runs - three earned - six hits insix innings for Cincinnati, which has lost six straight.

Jacque Jones, who had three hits, delivered a two-run double inthe eighth to make it 6-0.

 

Soriano, Zambrano excel as Cubs move closer to division title

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 6, CINCINNATI 0</h3>CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs have punched theirticket to the postseason. Now they need to work on ending a99-year World Series title drought.


Soriano blasted a leadoff homer and threw out a runner at theplate, helping the Chicago Cubs clinch the National LeagueCentral Division for the first time since 2003 with a 6-0 winover the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.


Chicago's celebration had to wait until the San Diego Padresbeat the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-3, a few hours later.

"Now we can relax for a couple days and get our lineup set forthe playoffs," a champagne-drenched Chicago manager Lou Piniellasaid. "These guys stuck together as a team. The young guysplayed well, the veterans started to come around and our bullpenstarted to gel."


Carlos Zambrano (18-13) threw seven scoreless innings and DerrekLee hit a two-run homer for the Cubs, who won just their thirdpennant since 1989.


"It's been a long summer. It really has," Piniella said. "Westarted off with Soriano in center field and that didn't workout - we should have started him in left field. He's morecomfortable there."


"Zambrano was pretty sharp," Cincinnati interim manager PeteMackanin said. "He mixed his pitches well. And that Soriano,not only does he hit the home run to jumpstart them, but he hasthe assist. He hurt us in Chicago like that, too. They beatus, fair and square. They outhit us and outpitched us."

After being swept by the lowly Florida Marlins, Chicago needed astrong start and Soriano came through.


"I told my coaches that Florida would be a tough place to play,"Piniella said. "We were used to playing in St. Louis with abig crowd where it was a little cooler, then you go to whereit's really warm to a big ballpark with no one there."

Signed to an eight-year, $136 million free-agent contract lastwinter, Soriano blasted an 0-2 fastball from Bronson Arroyo(9-15) into the right-center field seats for his 11th leadoffhomer of the season.


It was the 32nd home run of the season and 13th of September forSoriano, who set a major league record with his sixth leadoffhomer of the month.


A much-maligned left fielder, Soriano helped protect a 2-0 leadin the third as he threw out rookie Joey Votto at the plate. TheReds threatened by recording three consecutive singles offZambrano.


The third batter, Edwin Encarnacion slapped a single into left,but Soriano charged hard and threw a bullet that Jason Kendallcaught up the third base line and tagged Votto as he slid by.

"In center field, I had to cover both gaps. I am morecomfortable in left field," said Soriano, who registered his19th assist, the most by a Cubs outfielder since Hank Sauer had19 in 1951.


Soriano continued his stellar night in the fifth, as he hit aone-out double and later scored on Lee's two-run homer to leftfield for a 4-0 lead.


That was more than enough for Zambrano, who entered the gamejust 1-4 with a 6.59 ERA vs. the Reds this season. However, hehad no trouble in this one, allowing just six hits with fourstrikeouts and one walk. The burly righthander allowed just tworunners to reach scoring position as he extended hiscareer-high win total.


"I am very happy to pitch in this game," Zambrano said. "I lostto them four times this year and in the most important game, wewin. Thank God for that. I was able to throw strikes and ableto make my pitches. I said, 'Whatever happens, happens.' I washungry but I wasn't too excited. I felt calm."


"He pitched. He didn't have his really, really good stuff buthe pitched," Piniella said. "We got good starting pitching, andscored early, then got it to our bullpen. That's been ourformula for success this summer."


Meanwhile, Arroyo allowed four runs - three earned - six hits insix innings for Cincinnati, which has lost six straight.

Jacque Jones, who had three hits, delivered a two-run double inthe eighth to make it 6-0.