GAME THREAD: NL: CINCINNATI (51-67) at CHICAGO CUBS (60-58)

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 2 4 0 0 3 0 2 0 11 12 0
CHICAGO CUBS 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 9 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CIN - PHILLIP DUMATRAIT, VICTOR SANTOS (3RD), GARY MAJEWSKI (5TH),
BILL BRAY (6TH), JARED BURTON (8TH), DAVID WEATHERS (9TH) AND
RYAN JORGENSEN

CHN - TED LILLY, MIKE WUERTZ (6TH), CARLOS MARMOL
(6TH), BOBBY HOWRY (8TH), KERRY WOOD (9TH) AND JASON KENDALL

HOME RUNS: CIN - RYAN JORGENSEN (1) OFF TED LILLY IN THE 2ND, 1 ON
JEFF CONINE (6) OFF TED LILLY IN THE 3RD, 2 ON
ADAM DUNN (31) OFF MIKE WUERTZ IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JOSH HAMILTON (15) OFF BOBBY HOWRY IN THE 8TH, 1 ON

CHN - ARAMIS RAMIREZ (18) OFF VICTOR SANTOS IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
JASON KENDALL (1) OFF VICTOR SANTOS IN THE 5TH, 1 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 2 4 0 0 3 0 2 0 11 12 0
CHICAGO CUBS 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 9 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CIN - PHILLIP DUMATRAIT, VICTOR SANTOS (3RD), GARY MAJEWSKI (5TH),
BILL BRAY (6TH), JARED BURTON (8TH), DAVID WEATHERS (9TH) AND
RYAN JORGENSEN

CHN - TED LILLY, MIKE WUERTZ (6TH), CARLOS MARMOL
(6TH), BOBBY HOWRY (8TH), KERRY WOOD (9TH) AND JASON KENDALL


WP - BILL BRAY (1-0)
LP - BOBBY HOWRY (5-7)
SAVE - DAVID WEATHERS (24)

HOME RUNS: CIN - RYAN JORGENSEN (1) OFF TED LILLY IN THE 2ND, 1 ON
JEFF CONINE (6) OFF TED LILLY IN THE 3RD, 2 ON
ADAM DUNN (31) OFF MIKE WUERTZ IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JOSH HAMILTON (15) OFF BOBBY HOWRY IN THE 8TH, 1 ON

CHN - ARAMIS RAMIREZ (18) OFF VICTOR SANTOS IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
JASON KENDALL (1) OFF VICTOR SANTOS IN THE 5TH, 1 ON


TIME: 3:17 ATT: 40,162

PROBABLES: CIN - BOBBY LIVINGSTON (3-2, 4.24)
CHN - JASON MARQUIS (9-7, 4.18)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (11) VS CHICAGO CUBS (9) - FINAL

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 5 1 2 0 0 0 0 .315
J Keppinger ss 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .356
K Griffey Jr rf 5 1 2 1 0 1 2 .276
B Phillips 2b 5 0 0 0 0 2 3 .272
A Dunn lf 2 3 1 1 3 1 0 .257
J Ellison lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Conine 1b 5 2 2 3 0 0 2 .267
E Encarnacion 3b 4 1 1 1 0 1 1 .264
R Jorgensen c 4 2 2 2 0 0 1 .500
P Dumatrait p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
V Santos p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
G Majewski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-S Hatteberg ph 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 .305
B Bray p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-J Hamilton ph 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 .288
J Burton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Weathers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 36 11 12 11 4 7 9

a-hit sacrifice fly to center for G Majewski in the 6th; b-homered to left
center for B Bray in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - E Encarnacion (13, M Wuertz). HR - R Jorgensen (1, 2nd inning off
T Lilly 1 on, 2 Out), J Conine (6, 3rd inning off T Lilly 2 on, 2 Out), A Dunn
(31, 6th inning off M Wuertz 0 on, 0 Out), J Hamilton (15, 8th inning off B
Howry 1 on, 1 Out). S - J Keppinger. SF - S Hatteberg. RBI - R Jorgensen 2 (2),
K Griffey Jr (75), J Conine 3 (31), A Dunn (78), E Encarnacion (48), S
Hatteberg (41), J Hamilton 2 (33). 2-out RBI - R Jorgensen 2, J Conine 3.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Conine 1, B Phillips 1. GIDP - K
Griffey Jr. Team LOB - 4.


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss 6 1 2 2 0 1 1 .283
J Kendall c 4 1 2 3 1 0 2 .311
D Lee 1b 4 0 1 0 1 2 3 .316
A Ramirez 3b 4 1 2 1 1 1 2 .316
M DeRosa 2b 3 1 0 0 1 0 3 .283
C Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-D Ward ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .304
K Wood p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Fox rf 4 2 1 0 1 1 0 .167
M Murton lf 3 2 1 1 2 0 0 .264
J Jones cf 4 1 2 2 1 1 1 .268
T Lilly p 2 0 0 0 0 2 4 .143
a-M Fontenot ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .294
M Wuertz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R Cedeno 2b 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .120

Totals 38 9 11 9 8 9 17

a-struck out swinging for T Lilly in the 5th; b-flied out to right for B Howry
in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - J Fox (1, P Dumatrait); M Murton (9, P Dumatrait); J Jones (24, P
Dumatrait); J Kendall (5, P Dumatrait); R Theriot (20, V Santos). HR - A
Ramirez (18, 4th inning off V Santos 0 on, 0 Out), J Kendall (1, 5th inning off
V Santos 1 on, 1 Out). RBI - M Murton (15), J Jones 2 (42), J Kendall 3 (12), R
Theriot 2 (36), A Ramirez (71). 2-out RBI - J Kendall. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - D Lee 1, M DeRosa 1, A Ramirez 1. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: PB - J Kendall 2. DP: 1 (R Theriot-D Lee).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 024 003 020 -- 11
CHICAGO CUBS - 033 120 000 -- 9
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
P Dumatrait 2 5 5 5 4 1 0 10.32
V Santos 2 2/3 5 4 4 3 4 2 5.14
G Majewski 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 13.50
B Bray (W, 1-0) 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 2.70
J Burton (H, 3) 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 3.20
D Weathers (S, 24) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.71

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
T Lilly 5 6 6 6 2 5 2 3.74
M Wuertz (H, 8) 1/3 3 3 2 0 0 1 3.76
C Marmol (B, 1) 1 2/3 1 0 0 1 1 0 1.72
B Howry (L, 5-7) 1 2 2 2 1 0 1 3.92
K Wood 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.76

P Dumatrait pitched to 2 batters in the 3rd.

Pitches-strikes: P Dumatrait 68-36; V Santos 67-38; G Majewski 5-3; B Bray
25-20; J Burton 9-8; D Weathers 15-9; T Lilly 85-58; M Wuertz 14-8; C Marmol
29-17; B Howry 22-13; K Wood 12-6. Ground balls-fly balls: P Dumatrait 3-2; V
Santos 2-2; G Majewski 1-0; B Bray 3-1; J Burton 0-1; D Weathers 3-0; T Lilly
6-4; M Wuertz 0-1; C Marmol 2-2; B Howry 1-2; K Wood 1-1. Batters faced: P
Dumatrait 15; V Santos 16; G Majewski 1; B Bray 7; J Burton 3; D Weathers 4; T
Lilly 22; M Wuertz 4; C Marmol 7; B Howry 6; K Wood 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Hunter Wendelstedt. 1B--Brian Knight. 2B--Sam Holbrook.
3B--Randy Marsh.

T--3:17. (Plus rain delay totaling 89 minutes in the 1st). Att--40,162.

Weather: 74 degrees, overcast. Wind: 9 mph, right to left.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
CINCINNATI 11
CHICAGO CUBS 9 FINAL</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CINCINNATI (11) AT CHICAGO CUBS (9) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CINCINNATI 2ND: A Dunn walked. J Conine flied out to left, A Dunn to
second. E Encarnacion struck out looking. R Jorgensen homered to left, A Dunn
scored. P Dumatrait struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 2,
CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: J Fox doubled to deep left. M Murton doubled to deep
center, J Fox scored. J Jones doubled to left, M Murton scored. T Lilly
struck out swinging. R Theriot grounded out to second, J Jones to third.
J Kendall doubled to left, J Jones scored. D Lee walked. A Ramirez flied out to
right. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 3.

CINCINNATI 3RD: N Hopper singled to center. J Keppinger sacrificed to
pitcher, N Hopper to second. K Griffey Jr singled to center, N Hopper scored.
B Phillips lined out to second. A Dunn walked, K Griffey Jr to second.
J Conine homered to left center, K Griffey Jr and A Dunn scored. E Encarnacion
grounded out to third. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 6, CHICAGO CUBS 3.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: M DeRosa walked. J Fox walked, M DeRosa to second.
V Santos relieved P Dumatrait. M Murton walked, M DeRosa to third, J Fox to
second. J Jones walked, M DeRosa scored, J Fox to third, M Murton to second.
T Lilly struck out swinging. R Theriot singled to left, J Fox and M Murton
scored, J Jones to second. J Kendall popped out to second. D Lee struck out
looking. (3 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 6, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: A Ramirez homered to left. M DeRosa grounded out to
shortstop. J Fox popped out to shortstop. M Murton walked. J Jones struck
out looking. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: M Fontenot hit for T Lilly. M Fontenot struck out
swinging. R Theriot doubled to deep center. J Kendall homered to left,
R Theriot scored. D Lee grounded out to shortstop. A Ramirez singled to left.
G Majewski relieved V Santos. M DeRosa grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, A Ramirez out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 9.

CINCINNATI 6TH: M Wuertz relieved T Lilly. A Dunn homered to right.
J Conine reached on infield single to first. E Encarnacion doubled to left,
J Conine scored. E Encarnacion to third on passed ball by J Kendall. R Jorgensen
flied out to center. C Marmol relieved M Wuertz. R Cedeno at second base.
S Hatteberg hit for G Majewski. S Hatteberg hit sacrifice fly to center,
E Encarnacion scored. N Hopper grounded out to second. (3 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) CINCINNATI 9, CHICAGO CUBS 9.

CINCINNATI 8TH: B Howry relieved C Marmol. E Encarnacion popped out to
second. R Jorgensen singled to left. J Hamilton hit for B Bray. R Jorgensen
to second on passed ball by J Kendall. J Hamilton homered to left center,
R Jorgensen scored. N Hopper grounded out to second. J Keppinger walked.
K Griffey Jr fouled out to third. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 11,
CHICAGO CUBS 9.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CINCINNATI (11) AT CHICAGO CUBS (9) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cincinnati Starting Lineups -- N Hopper CF, J Keppinger SS, K Griffey Jr RF,
B Phillips 2B, A Dunn LF, J Conine 1B, E Encarnacion 3B, R Jorgensen C,
P Dumatrait LHP.

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

Umpires -- Hunter Wendelstedt (HP), Brian Knight (1B), Sam Holbrook (2B),
Randy Marsh (3B).

Gametime Weather: 74 degrees, Overcast, wind right to left at 9 mph.


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

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: R Theriot grounded out to third. J Kendall popped out to
third. D Lee singled to center. A Ramirez walked, D Lee to second. M DeRosa
grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CINCINNATI 2ND: A Dunn walked. J Conine flied out to left, A Dunn to
second. E Encarnacion struck out looking. R Jorgensen homered to left, A Dunn
scored. P Dumatrait struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 2,
CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: J Fox doubled to deep left. M Murton doubled to deep
center, J Fox scored. J Jones doubled to left, M Murton scored. T Lilly
struck out swinging. R Theriot grounded out to second, J Jones to third.
J Kendall doubled to left, J Jones scored. D Lee walked. A Ramirez flied out to
right. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 2, CHICAGO CUBS 3.

CINCINNATI 3RD: N Hopper singled to center. J Keppinger sacrificed to
pitcher, N Hopper to second. K Griffey Jr singled to center, N Hopper scored.
B Phillips lined out to second. A Dunn walked, K Griffey Jr to second.
J Conine homered to left center, K Griffey Jr and A Dunn scored. E Encarnacion
grounded out to third. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 6, CHICAGO CUBS 3.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: M DeRosa walked. J Fox walked, M DeRosa to second.
V Santos relieved P Dumatrait. M Murton walked, M DeRosa to third, J Fox to
second. J Jones walked, M DeRosa scored, J Fox to third, M Murton to second.
T Lilly struck out swinging. R Theriot singled to left, J Fox and M Murton
scored, J Jones to second. J Kendall popped out to second. D Lee struck out
looking. (3 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 6, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CINCINNATI 4TH: R Jorgensen flied out to center. V Santos struck out
swinging. N Hopper flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: A Ramirez homered to left. M DeRosa grounded out to
shortstop. J Fox popped out to shortstop. M Murton walked. J Jones struck
out looking. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CINCINNATI 5TH: J Keppinger grounded out to second. K Griffey Jr struck
out swinging. B Phillips struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CINCINNATI 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: M Fontenot hit for T Lilly. M Fontenot struck out
swinging. R Theriot doubled to deep center. J Kendall homered to left,
R Theriot scored. D Lee grounded out to shortstop. A Ramirez singled to left.
G Majewski relieved V Santos. M DeRosa grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, A Ramirez out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 9.

CINCINNATI 6TH: M Wuertz relieved T Lilly. A Dunn homered to right.
J Conine reached on infield single to first. E Encarnacion doubled to left,
J Conine scored. E Encarnacion to third on passed ball by J Kendall. R Jorgensen
flied out to center. C Marmol relieved M Wuertz. R Cedeno at second base.
S Hatteberg hit for G Majewski. S Hatteberg hit sacrifice fly to center,
E Encarnacion scored. N Hopper grounded out to second. (3 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) CINCINNATI 9, CHICAGO CUBS 9.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: B Bray relieved G Majewski. J Fox grounded out to
shortstop. M Murton grounded out to third. J Jones grounded out to first.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 9, CHICAGO CUBS 9.

CINCINNATI 7TH: J Keppinger flied out to left. K Griffey Jr singled to
right. B Phillips struck out swinging. A Dunn walked, K Griffey Jr to second.
J Conine grounded into fielder's choice to second, A Dunn out at second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 9, CHICAGO CUBS 9.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: R Cedeno flied out to right. R Theriot struck out
swinging. J Kendall walked. D Lee struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) CINCINNATI 9, CHICAGO CUBS 9.

CINCINNATI 8TH: B Howry relieved C Marmol. E Encarnacion popped out to
second. R Jorgensen singled to left. J Hamilton hit for B Bray. R Jorgensen
to second on passed ball by J Kendall. J Hamilton homered to left center,
R Jorgensen scored. N Hopper grounded out to second. J Keppinger walked.
K Griffey Jr fouled out to third. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 11,
CHICAGO CUBS 9.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: J Burton relieved B Bray. A Ramirez struck out swinging.
D Ward hit for B Howry. D Ward flied out to right. J Fox struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 11, CHICAGO CUBS 9.

CINCINNATI 9TH: K Wood relieved B Howry. B Phillips flied out to right.
A Dunn struck out swinging. J Conine grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) CINCINNATI 11, CHICAGO CUBS 9.

CHICAGO CUBS 9TH: J Ellison in left field. D Weathers relieved J Burton.
M Murton grounded out to third. J Jones singled to center. R Cedeno grounded
into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Jones out at second. R Theriot grounded
out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 11, CHICAGO CUBS 9.</div>

 

Hamilton's blast helps Reds outlast Cubs in wild affair

<h3>CINCINNATI 11, CHICAGO CUBS 9</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Josh Hamilton has fallen out of theNational League Rookie of the Year race, but he put a wrench inthe National League Central playoff race.


Hamilton hit a go-ahead, pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighthinning to help the Cincinnati Reds outslug the Chicago Cubs,11-9, on Wednesday.


It was the 15th homer of the season for Hamilton and first sincehe came off the disabled list on Sunday after missing 27 gameswith a sprained right wrist.


During that time Hamilton was passed by Milwaukee's Ryan Braunin the Rookie of the Year balloting.


Rookie Ryan Jorgensen, who recorded his major league hit - atwo-run homer - in the second, led off the frame with a singleand Hamilton blasted a 2-2 fastball from Bob Howry (5-7) to leftfield for an 11-9 lead.


Hamilton's timely home run made a winner of Bill Bray (1-0), whopitched two scoreless innings. Jared Burton (4-1) pitched ascoreless eighth and closer David Weathers worked around aleadoff single in the ninth to record his 24th save in 30chances.


Jason Kendall hit his first home run since June 13 and drove inthree runs for Chicago (60-59), which trails the MilwaukeeBrewers (62-58) by 1 1/2 games in the division and has the St.Louis Cardinals (57-60) breathing down their neck, two gamesback.


Chicago, which has lost four straight, held a 9-6 lead in thesixth but the bullpen added to its woes.


Michael Wuertz relieved an ineffective Ted Lilly and fared nobetter, surrendering a leadoff homer to Adam Dunn. After JeffConine reached on single, Wuertz allowed an RBI double to EdwinEncarnacion to cut the lead to 9-8.


Wuertz threw a wild pitch before recording an out and departingin favor of Carlos Marmol, who allowed a game-tying sacrificefly to Scott Hatteberg.


<div class="pre">Chicago took a 7-6 lead in the fourth when Aramis Ramirez led</div>off the frame with a solo homer off reliever Victor Santos.Ramirez homered in his return to the lineup in Tuesday's 6-5loss after being out since August 6 with right wrist soreness.

Kendall then added to the lead with a two-run blast - his firstas a Cub.


Even Lilly, who entered the game 8-1 with a 2.90 ERA in his lastnine starts, could not stop the bleeding for the Cubs. Thelefthander was tagged for six runs and six hits in five inningsand left with a 9-6 lead.


His opposition, rookie Phil Dumatrait, allowed five runs andfive hits in two innings.

 

Hamilton's blast helps Reds outlast Cubs in wild affair

<h3>CINCINNATI 11, CHICAGO CUBS 9</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Josh Hamilton has fallen out of theNational League Rookie of the Year race, but he put a wrench inthe National League Central playoff race.


Hamilton hit a go-ahead, pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighthinning to help the Cincinnati Reds outslug the Chicago Cubs,11-9, on Wednesday.


It was the 15th homer of the season for Hamilton and first sincehe came off the disabled list on Sunday after missing 27 gameswith a sprained right wrist.


During that time Hamilton was passed by Milwaukee's Ryan Braunin the Rookie of the Year balloting.


Rookie Ryan Jorgensen, who recorded his major league hit - atwo-run homer - in the second, led off the frame with a singleand Hamilton blasted a 2-2 fastball from Bob Howry (5-7) to leftfield for an 11-9 lead.


Hamilton's timely home run made a winner of Bill Bray (1-0), whopitched two scoreless innings. Jared Burton pitched ascoreless eighth and closer David Weathers worked around aleadoff single in the ninth to record his 24th save in 30chances.


Jason Kendall hit his first home run since June 13 and drove inthree runs for Chicago (60-59), which trails the MilwaukeeBrewers (62-58) by 1 1/2 games in the division and has the St.Louis Cardinals (57-60) breathing down their neck, two gamesback.


Chicago, which has lost four straight, held a 9-6 lead in thesixth but the bullpen added to its woes.


Michael Wuertz relieved an ineffective Ted Lilly and fared nobetter, surrendering a leadoff homer to Adam Dunn. After JeffConine reached on single, Wuertz allowed an RBI double to EdwinEncarnacion to cut the lead to 9-8.


Wuertz threw a wild pitch before recording an out and departingin favor of Carlos Marmol, who allowed a game-tying sacrificefly to Scott Hatteberg.


<div class="pre">Chicago took a 7-6 lead in the fourth when Aramis Ramirez led</div>off the frame with a solo homer off reliever Victor Santos.Ramirez homered in his return to the lineup in Tuesday's 6-5loss after being out since August 6 with right wrist soreness.

Kendall then added to the lead with a two-run blast - his firstas a Cub.


Even Lilly, who entered the game 8-1 with a 2.90 ERA in his lastnine starts, could not stop the bleeding for the Cubs. Thelefthander was tagged for six runs and six hits in five inningsand left with a 9-6 lead.


His opposition, rookie Phil Dumatrait, allowed five runs andfive hits in two innings.

 

Hamilton's blast helps Reds outlast Cubs in wild affair

<h3>CINCINNATI 11, CHICAGO CUBS 9</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Josh Hamilton has fallen out of theNational League Rookie of the Year race, but he put a wrench inthe National League Central playoff race.


Hamilton hit a go-ahead, pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighthinning to help the Cincinnati Reds outslug the Chicago Cubs,11-9, on Wednesday.


It was the 15th homer of the season for Hamilton and first sincehe came off the disabled list on Sunday after missing 27 gameswith a sprained right wrist.


During that time Hamilton was passed by Milwaukee's Ryan Braunin the Rookie of the Year balloting.


"I'm not worried about that award," Hamilton said. "Right nowmy focus is to try and help the team any way I can."

Rookie Ryan Jorgensen, who recorded his major league hit - atwo-run homer - in the second, led off the frame with a singleand Hamilton blasted a 2-2 fastball from Bob Howry (5-7) to leftfield for an 11-9 lead.


"Before that pitch I asked the lord for a little help," Hamiltonsaid. "The first few pitches I was over swinging. I waslooking off speed because I hadn't seen it yet, I got intoposition and got into it."


Hamilton's timely home run made a winner of Bill Bray (1-0), whopitched two scoreless innings. Jared Burton (4-1) pitched ascoreless eighth and closer David Weathers worked around aleadoff single in the ninth to record his 24th save in 30chances.


"Bray pitched extremly well. We like what we saw from him,"Reds manager Pete Mackanin said. " Weathers did a nice jobclosing out the game for us."


Meanwhile, Jorgensen had a debut to remember.


In his first at-bat of the season, Jorgensen put the Reds ahead in the second with a two-run shot off Cubs starter Ted Lilly. He was called up on Tuesday from Class AAA Louisville to replace catcher David Ross, who is on the disabled list with a concussion.

"I texted a few of my friends before the game and said I wouldgo yard in my first at-bat," Jorgensen said. "My famaily flewin before the game, so this is like a fairy tale come true."

Jason Kendall hit his first home run since June 13 and drove inthree runs for Chicago (60-59), which trails the MilwaukeeBrewers (62-58) by 1 1/2 games in the division and has the St.Louis Cardinals (57-60) breathing down their neck, two gamesback.


"It seems like we are in a pennant race but I'm not to dammsure," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "It sure seems likeit though."


Chicago, which has lost four straight, held a 9-6 lead in thesixth but the bullpen added to its woes.


Michael Wuertz relieved an ineffective Ted Lilly and fared nobetter, surrendering a leadoff homer to Adam Dunn. After JeffConine reached on single, Wuertz allowed an RBI double to EdwinEncarnacion to cut the lead to 9-8.


Wuertz threw a wild pitch before recording an out and departingin favor of Carlos Marmol, who allowed a game-tying sacrificefly to Scott Hatteberg.


<div class="pre">Chicago took a 7-6 lead in the fourth when Aramis Ramirez led</div>off the frame with a solo homer off reliever Victor Santos.Ramirez homered in his return to the lineup in Tuesday's 6-5loss after being out since August 6 with right wrist soreness.

Kendall then added to the lead with a two-run blast - his firstas a Cub.


Even Lilly, who entered the game 8-1 with a 2.90 ERA in his lastnine starts, could not stop the bleeding for the Cubs. Thelefthander was tagged for six runs and six hits in five inningsand left with a 9-6 lead.


"I can't come up with any excuses why I didn't get it done," Lillysaid. "I didn't make good pitches my command wasn't like I neededit to be."


His opposition, rookie Phil Dumatrait, allowed five runs andfive hits in two innings in his third career start.

 

Hamilton's blast helps Reds outlast Cubs in wild affair

<h3>CINCINNATI 11, CHICAGO CUBS 9</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Josh Hamilton has fallen out of theNational League Rookie of the Year race, but he put a wrench inthe National League Central playoff race.


Hamilton hit a go-ahead, pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighthinning to help the Cincinnati Reds outslug the Chicago Cubs,11-9, on Wednesday.


It was the 15th homer of the season for Hamilton and first sincehe came off the disabled list on Sunday after missing 27 gameswith a sprained right wrist.


During that time Hamilton was passed by Milwaukee's Ryan Braunin the Rookie of the Year balloting.


"I'm not worried about that award," Hamilton said. "Right now myfocus is to try and help the team any way I can."


Rookie Ryan Jorgensen, who recorded his first major league hit -a two-run homer - in the second, led off the frame with asingle and Hamilton blasted a 2-2 fastball from Bob Howry (5-7)to left field for an 11-9 lead.


"Before that pitch I asked the lord for a little help," Hamiltonsaid. "The first few pitches I was over swinging. I waslooking offspeed because I hadn't seen it yet, I got intoposition and got into it."


Hamilton's timely home run made a winner of Bill Bray (1-0), whopitched two scoreless innings. Jared Burton (4-1) pitched ascoreless eighth and closer David Weathers worked around aleadoff single in the ninth to record his 24th save in 30chances.


"Bray pitched extremely well. We like what we saw from him,"Reds manager Pete Mackanin said. " Weathers did a nice jobclosing out the game for us."


Meanwhile, Jorgensen had a debut to remember.


In his first at-bat of the season, Jorgensen put the Reds aheadin the second with a two-run shot off Cubs starter Ted Lilly. Hewas called up on Tuesday from Class AAA Louisville to replacecatcher David Ross, who is on the disabled list with aconcussion.


"I texted a few of my friends before the game and said I wouldgo yard in my first at-bat," Jorgensen said. "My family flew inbefore the game, so this is like a fairy tale come true."

Jason Kendall hit his first home run since June 13 and drove inthree runs for Chicago (60-59), which trails the MilwaukeeBrewers (62-58) by 1 1/2 games in the division and has the St.Louis Cardinals (57-60) breathing down their neck, two gamesback.


"It seems like we are in a pennant race but I'm not to damnsure," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "It sure seems like itthough."


Chicago, which has lost four straight, held a 9-6 lead in thesixth but the bullpen added to its woes.


Michael Wuertz relieved an ineffective Ted Lilly and fared nobetter, surrendering a leadoff homer to Adam Dunn. After JeffConine reached on a single, Wuertz allowed an RBI double toEdwin Encarnacion to cut the lead to 9-8.


Wuertz threw a wild pitch before recording an out and departingin favor of Carlos Marmol, who allowed a game-tying sacrificefly to Scott Hatteberg.


Chicago took a 7-6 lead in the fourth when Aramis Ramirez ledoff the frame with a solo homer off reliever Victor Santos.Ramirez homered in his return to the lineup in Tuesday's 6-5loss after being out since August 6 with right wrist soreness.

Kendall then added to the lead with a two-run blast - his firstas a Cub.


Even Lilly, who entered the game 8-1 with a 2.90 ERA in his lastnine starts, could not stop the bleeding for the Cubs. Thelefthander was tagged for six runs and six hits in five inningsand left with a 9-6 lead.


"I can't come up with any excuses why I didn't get it done,"Lilly said. "I didn't make good pitches my command wasn't like Ineeded it to be."


His opposition, rookie Phil Dumatrait, allowed five runs andfive hits in two innings in his third career start.

 

Hamilton's blast helps Reds outlast Cubs in wild affair

<h3>CINCINNATI 11, CHICAGO CUBS 9</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Josh Hamilton has fallen out of theNational League Rookie of the Year race, but he put a wrench inthe National League Central playoff race.


Hamilton hit a go-ahead, pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighthinning to help the Cincinnati Reds outslug the Chicago Cubs,11-9, on Wednesday.


It was the 15th homer of the season for Hamilton and first sincehe came off the disabled list on Sunday after missing 27 gameswith a sprained right wrist.


During that time Hamilton was passed by Milwaukee's Ryan Braunin the Rookie of the Year balloting.


"I'm not worried about that award," Hamilton said. "Right now myfocus is to try and help the team any way I can."


Rookie Ryan Jorgensen, who recorded his first major league hit -a two-run homer - in the second, led off the frame with asingle and Hamilton blasted a 2-2 fastball from Bob Howry (5-7)to left field for an 11-9 lead.


"Before that pitch I asked the lord for a little help," Hamiltonsaid. "The first few pitches I was over swinging. I waslooking offspeed because I hadn't seen it yet, I got intoposition and got into it."


Hamilton's timely home run made a winner of Bill Bray (1-0), whopitched two scoreless innings. Jared Burton (4-1) pitched ascoreless eighth and closer David Weathers worked around aleadoff single in the ninth to record his 24th save in 30chances.


"Bray pitched extremely well. We like what we saw from him,"Reds manager Pete Mackanin said. " Weathers did a nice jobclosing out the game for us."


Meanwhile, Jorgensen had a debut to remember.


In his first at-bat of the season, Jorgenson hit a two-run homeroff Cubs starter Ted Lilly in the second. Jorgensen was calledup on Tuesday from Class AAA Louisville to replace catcherDavid Ross, who is on the disabled list with a concussion.

"I texted a few of my friends before the game and said I wouldgo yard in my first at-bat," Jorgensen said. "My family flew inbefore the game, so this is like a fairy tale come true."

Jason Kendall hit his first home run since June 13 and drove inthree runs for Chicago (60-59), which trails the MilwaukeeBrewers (62-58) by 1 1/2 games in the division and has the St.Louis Cardinals (57-60) breathing down their neck, two gamesback.


"It seems like we are in a pennant race but I'm not to damnsure," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "It sure seems like itthough."


Chicago, which has lost four straight, held a 9-6 lead in thesixth but the bullpen added to its woes.


Michael Wuertz relieved an ineffective Lilly and fared nobetter, surrendering a leadoff homer to Adam Dunn. After JeffConine reached on a single, Wuertz allowed an RBI double toEdwin Encarnacion to cut the lead to 9-8.


Wuertz threw a wild pitch before recording an out and departingin favor of Carlos Marmol, who allowed a game-tying sacrificefly to Scott Hatteberg.


Chicago took a 7-6 lead in the fourth when Aramis Ramirez ledoff the frame with a solo homer off reliever Victor Santos.Ramirez homered in his return to the lineup in Tuesday's 6-5loss after being out since August 6 with right wrist soreness.

Kendall then added to the lead with a two-run blast - his firstas a Cub.


Even Lilly, who entered the game 8-1 with a 2.90 ERA in his lastnine starts, could not stop the bleeding for the Cubs. Thelefthander was tagged for six runs and six hits in five inningsand left with a 9-6 lead.


"I can't come up with any excuses why I didn't get it done,"Lilly said. "I didn't make good pitches my command wasn't like Ineeded it to be."


His opposition, rookie Phil Dumatrait, allowed five runs andfive hits in two innings in his third career start.