GAME THREAD: NL: CHICAGO CUBS (64-60) at SAN FRANCISCO (55-71)

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at SAN FRANCISCO

<div class="pre">NL AT SAN FRANCISCO - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: F Pie in left field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 4
SAN FRANCISCO 2 BOTTOM, 10TH

DUE UP FOR SAN FRANCISCO: D Ortmeier (.258, 0-FOR-4)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at SAN FRANCISCO

<div class="pre">NL AT SAN FRANCISCO - PITCHING CHANGE
CHN: RYAN DEMPSTER (2-4, 3.33) STARTING THE 10TH
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 4, SAN FRANCISCO 2

DUE UP FOR SANFRNCSCO: D ORTMEIER (.258, 0-FOR-4)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at SAN FRANCISCO

<div class="pre">NL AT SAN FRANCISCO - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Dempster relieved C Marmol.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 4
SAN FRANCISCO 2 BOTTOM, 10TH

DUE UP FOR SAN FRANCISCO: D Ortmeier (.258, 0-FOR-4)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at SAN FRANCISCO

<div class="pre">NL FINAL 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
SAN FRANCISCO 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

10 R H E
-- - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 2 4 6 1
SAN FRANCISCO 0 2 7 1 (FINAL 10)

BATTERIES: CHN - RICH HILL, CARLOS MARMOL (8TH), RYAN DEMPSTER (10TH) AND JASON
KENDALL

SFO - BARRY ZITO, BRIAN WILSON (9TH), PATRICK MISCH
(10TH) AND BENGIE MOLINA

HOME RUNS: CHN - NONE

SFO - NONE</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at SAN FRANCISCO

<div class="pre">NL FINAL 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
SAN FRANCISCO 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

10 R H E
-- - - -
CHICAGO CUBS 2 4 6 1
SAN FRANCISCO 0 2 7 1 (FINAL 10)

BATTERIES: CHN - RICH HILL, CARLOS MARMOL (8TH), RYAN DEMPSTER (10TH) AND JASON
KENDALL

SFO - BARRY ZITO, BRIAN WILSON (9TH), PATRICK MISCH
(10TH) AND BENGIE MOLINA


WP - CARLOS MARMOL (3-1)
LP - PATRICK MISCH (0-3)
SAVE - RYAN DEMPSTER (20)

HOME RUNS: CHN - NONE

SFO - NONE


TIME: 2:44 ATT: 39,548

PROBABLES: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO (14-9, 3.86)
SFO - MATT CAIN (5-13, 3.78)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at SAN FRANCISCO

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (4) VS SAN FRANCISCO (2) - FINAL IN 10 INNINGS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 .286
M DeRosa 2b-rf 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .293
D Lee 1b 4 1 1 0 0 2 1 .316
A Ramirez 3b 4 0 1 2 0 0 0 .315
C Floyd lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .289
F Pie pr-lf 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .217
J Fox rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .143
M Fontenot 2b 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .281
J Kendall c 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .300
J Jones cf 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .267
R Hill p 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 .125
a-M Murton ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .251
C Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-H Blanco ph 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 .194
R Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 34 4 6 3 1 7 9

a-grounded to third for R Hill in the 8th; b-sacrificed to pitcher for C
Marmol in the 10th.

BATTING: 2B - A Ramirez (29, B Zito); C Floyd (9, P Misch). S - H Blanco , J
Jones. RBI - A Ramirez 2 (76), H Blanco (4). Runners left in scoring position,
2 out - R Theriot 2, J Fox 1. GIDP - D Lee. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: E - R Theriot (8, dropped foul ball).


SAN FRANCISCO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Davis cf 5 0 0 0 0 4 3 .291
D Ortmeier 1b 5 0 0 0 0 3 0 .256
R Winn rf 5 2 2 0 0 1 0 .288
B Bonds lf 2 0 1 1 2 0 0 .279
D Roberts pr-lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .265
B Molina c 4 0 2 1 0 2 1 .278
P Feliz 3b 3 0 0 0 1 2 4 .251
R Aurilia 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .254
O Vizquel ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .248
B Zito p 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .104
B Wilson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-R Klesko ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .270
P Misch p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 37 2 7 2 3 15 11

a-flied out to center for B Wilson in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - R Winn (33, R Hill); B Bonds (13, R Hill). RBI - B Molina (72), B
Bonds (60). 2-out RBI - B Molina, B Bonds. Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - B Molina 1, P Feliz 2, R Davis 1. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - D Roberts (26, 2nd base off C Marmol/J Kendall).

FIELDING: E - R Aurilia (6, ground ball). PB - B Molina. DP: 1 (P Feliz-R
Aurilia-D Ortmeier).


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 000 200 000 2 -- 4
SAN FRANCISCO - 101 000 000 0 -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
R Hill 7 6 2 2 1 10 0 3.67
C Marmol (W, 3-1) 2 1 0 0 2 4 0 1.61
R Dempster (S, 20) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.26

SAN FRANCISCO ip h r er bb so hr era
B Zito 8 5 2 2 0 4 0 4.74
B Wilson 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00
P Misch (L, 0-3) 1 1 2 1 1 2 0 4.09

IBB - B Bonds 2 (by R Hill, C Marmol). Pitches-strikes: R Hill 115-83; C
Marmol 41-22; R Dempster 9-7; B Zito 98-63; B Wilson 13-10; P Misch 24-14.
Ground balls-fly balls: R Hill 6-5; C Marmol 0-2; R Dempster 2-0; B Zito 10-10;
B Wilson 0-2; P Misch 1-0. Batters faced: R Hill 28; C Marmol 9; R Dempster 3;
B Zito 28; B Wilson 3; P Misch 6.

UMPIRES: HP--Dana Demuth. 1B--Kerwin Danley. 2B--Doug Eddings. 3B--Mike
Everitt.

T--2:44. Att--39,548.
Weather: 63 degrees, clear. Wind: 20 mph, out to
center.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at SAN FRANCISCO

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
CHICAGO CUBS 4
SAN FRANCISCO 2 FINAL</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at SAN FRANCISCO

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHICAGO CUBS (4) AT SAN FRANCISCO (2) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SAN FRANCISCO 1ST: R Davis struck out swinging. D Ortmeier grounded out to
pitcher. R Winn doubled to deep left. B Bonds intentionally walked. B Molina
singled to right, R Winn scored, B Bonds to third. P Feliz struck out
swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 0, SAN FRANCISCO 1.

SAN FRANCISCO 3RD: R Davis popped out to second. D Ortmeier struck out
looking. R Winn singled to right. B Bonds doubled to right, R Winn scored.
B Molina singled to left, B Bonds to third. P Feliz lined out to shortstop.
(1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 0, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: R Theriot flied out to right. M DeRosa singled to left.
D Lee singled to center, M DeRosa to second. A Ramirez doubled to deep left
center, M DeRosa and D Lee scored. C Floyd flied out to left. J Fox grounded
out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 10TH: P Misch relieved B Wilson. C Floyd doubled to deep
right. F Pie ran for C Floyd. F Pie to third on passed ball by B Molina.
M Fontenot walked. J Kendall safe at first on error by second baseman R Aurilia,
F Pie scored, M Fontenot to third. J Jones struck out swinging. H Blanco hit
for C Marmol. H Blanco sacrificed to pitcher, M Fontenot scored, J Kendall to
second. R Theriot struck out looking. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) CHICAGO CUBS 4,
SAN FRANCISCO 2.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at SAN FRANCISCO

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHICAGO CUBS (4) AT SAN FRANCISCO (2) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

San Francisco Starting Lineups -- R Davis CF, D Ortmeier 1B, R Winn RF, B Bonds LF,
B Molina C, P Feliz 3B, R Aurilia 2B, O Vizquel SS, B Zito LHP.

Umpires -- Dana Demuth (HP), Kerwin Danley (1B), Doug Eddings (2B), Mike Everitt (3B).

Gametime Weather: 63 degrees, Clear, wind out to center at 20 mph.


CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: R Theriot flied out to right. M DeRosa flied out to
right. D Lee struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 0,
SAN FRANCISCO 0.

SAN FRANCISCO 1ST: R Davis struck out swinging. D Ortmeier grounded out to
pitcher. R Winn doubled to deep left. B Bonds intentionally walked. B Molina
singled to right, R Winn scored, B Bonds to third. P Feliz struck out
swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 0, SAN FRANCISCO 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: A Ramirez flied out to center. C Floyd grounded out to
first. J Fox grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 0,
SAN FRANCISCO 1.

SAN FRANCISCO 2ND: R Aurilia struck out swinging. O Vizquel continues to
bat after dropped foul ball by shortstop R Theriot. O Vizquel struck out
swinging. B Zito struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error) CHICAGO CUBS 0,
SAN FRANCISCO 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: J Kendall grounded out to shortstop. J Jones popped out
to shortstop. R Hill struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 0, SAN FRANCISCO 1.

SAN FRANCISCO 3RD: R Davis popped out to second. D Ortmeier struck out
looking. R Winn singled to right. B Bonds doubled to right, R Winn scored.
B Molina singled to left, B Bonds to third. P Feliz lined out to shortstop.
(1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 0, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: R Theriot flied out to right. M DeRosa singled to left.
D Lee singled to center, M DeRosa to second. A Ramirez doubled to deep left
center, M DeRosa and D Lee scored. C Floyd flied out to left. J Fox grounded
out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

SAN FRANCISCO 4TH: R Aurilia grounded out to third. O Vizquel grounded out
to third. B Zito grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 2, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: J Kendall lined out to center. J Jones struck out
swinging. R Hill struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2,
SAN FRANCISCO 2.

SAN FRANCISCO 5TH: R Davis struck out swinging. D Ortmeier grounded out to
third. R Winn grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2,
SAN FRANCISCO 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: R Theriot flied out to left. M DeRosa singled to center.
D Lee grounded into double play, third to second to first, M DeRosa out at
second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

SAN FRANCISCO 6TH: B Bonds lined out to left. B Molina struck out
swinging. P Feliz struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 2, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: A Ramirez popped out to shortstop. C Floyd flied out to
left. J Fox grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 2, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

SAN FRANCISCO 7TH: R Aurilia flied out to left. O Vizquel popped out to
second. B Zito singled to center. R Davis struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: J Kendall singled to left. J Jones sacrificed to first,
J Kendall to second. M Murton hit for R Hill. M Murton grounded out to third.
R Theriot grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2,
SAN FRANCISCO 2.

SAN FRANCISCO 8TH: C Marmol relieved R Hill. D Ortmeier struck out looking.
R Winn struck out swinging. B Bonds intentionally walked. D Roberts ran for
B Bonds. D Roberts stole second. B Molina struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 9TH: D Roberts in left field. B Wilson relieved B Zito.
M DeRosa fouled out to first. D Lee struck out looking. A Ramirez flied out to
center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

SAN FRANCISCO 9TH: P Feliz walked. R Aurilia flied out to right.
O Vizquel singled to right, P Feliz to second. R Klesko hit for B Wilson.
R Klesko flied out to center. R Davis struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2, SAN FRANCISCO 2.

CHICAGO CUBS 10TH: P Misch relieved B Wilson. C Floyd doubled to deep
right. F Pie ran for C Floyd. F Pie to third on passed ball by B Molina.
M Fontenot walked. J Kendall safe at first on error by second baseman R Aurilia,
F Pie scored, M Fontenot to third. J Jones struck out swinging. H Blanco hit
for C Marmol. H Blanco sacrificed to pitcher, M Fontenot scored, J Kendall to
second. R Theriot struck out looking. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) CHICAGO CUBS 4,
SAN FRANCISCO 2.

SAN FRANCISCO 10TH: F Pie in left field. R Dempster relieved C Marmol.
D Ortmeier struck out swinging. R Winn grounded out to second. D Roberts
grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 4, SAN FRANCISCO 2.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at SAN FRANCISCO

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (4) VS SAN FRANCISCO (2) - FINAL IN 10 INNINGS

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 .286
M DeRosa 2b-rf 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .293
D Lee 1b 4 1 1 0 0 2 1 .316
A Ramirez 3b 4 0 1 2 0 0 0 .315
C Floyd lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .289
F Pie pr-lf 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .217
J Fox rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .143
M Fontenot 2b 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .281
J Kendall c 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .300
J Jones cf 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .267
R Hill p 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 .125
a-M Murton ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .251
C Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-H Blanco ph 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 .194
R Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 34 4 6 3 1 7 9

a-grounded to third for R Hill in the 8th; b-sacrificed to pitcher for C
Marmol in the 10th.

BATTING: 2B - A Ramirez (29, B Zito); C Floyd (9, P Misch). S - H Blanco , J
Jones. RBI - A Ramirez 2 (76), H Blanco (4). Runners left in scoring position,
2 out - R Theriot 2, J Fox 1. GIDP - D Lee. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: E - R Theriot (8, dropped foul ball).


SAN FRANCISCO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Davis cf 5 0 0 0 0 4 3 .291
D Ortmeier 1b 5 0 0 0 0 3 0 .256
R Winn rf 5 2 2 0 0 1 0 .288
B Bonds lf 2 0 1 1 2 0 0 .279
D Roberts pr-lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .265
B Molina c 4 0 2 1 0 2 1 .278
P Feliz 3b 3 0 0 0 1 2 4 .251
R Aurilia 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .254
O Vizquel ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .248
B Zito p 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .104
B Wilson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-R Klesko ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .270
P Misch p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 37 2 7 2 3 15 11

a-flied out to center for B Wilson in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - R Winn (33, R Hill); B Bonds (13, R Hill). RBI - B Molina (72), B
Bonds (60). 2-out RBI - B Molina, B Bonds. Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - B Molina 1, P Feliz 2, R Davis 1. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - D Roberts (26, 2nd base off C Marmol/J Kendall).

FIELDING: E - R Aurilia (6, ground ball). PB - B Molina. DP: 1 (P Feliz-R
Aurilia-D Ortmeier).


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 000 200 000 2 -- 4
SAN FRANCISCO - 101 000 000 0 -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
R Hill 7 6 2 2 1 10 0 3.67
C Marmol (W, 3-1) 2 1 0 0 2 4 0 1.61
R Dempster (S, 20) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.26

SAN FRANCISCO ip h r er bb so hr era
B Zito 8 5 2 2 0 4 0 4.74
B Wilson 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00
P Misch (L, 0-3) 1 1 2 0 1 2 0 3.68

IBB - B Bonds 2 (by R Hill, C Marmol). Pitches-strikes: R Hill 115-83; C
Marmol 41-22; R Dempster 9-7; B Zito 98-63; B Wilson 13-10; P Misch 24-14.
Ground balls-fly balls: R Hill 6-5; C Marmol 0-2; R Dempster 2-0; B Zito 10-10;
B Wilson 0-2; P Misch 1-0. Batters faced: R Hill 28; C Marmol 9; R Dempster 3;
B Zito 28; B Wilson 3; P Misch 6.

UMPIRES: HP--Dana Demuth. 1B--Kerwin Danley. 2B--Doug Eddings. 3B--Mike
Everitt.

T--2:44. Att--39,548.
Weather: 63 degrees, clear. Wind: 20 mph, out to
center.</div>

 

Cubs take advantage of miscues, top Giants

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 4, SAN FRANCISCO 2 (10 INNINGS)</h3>SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Two games, two incredible wins for the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs took advantage of a couple of defensive lapses as they defeated the San Francisco Giants, 4-2, in 10 innings on Wednesday.

In a game that had been deadlocked since the fourth inning at 2-2, Chicago got to San Francisco reliever Patrick Misch (0-3) in the 10th inning off a pair of Giants defensive gaffes. This came on the heels of Tuesday's contest in which the Cubs scored all five of their runs in the ninth inning to record a 5-1 win.

Cliff Floyd opened the 10th with a leadoff double before giving way to Felix Pie, who took over as a pinch runner. Three pitches later, Misch's pitch passed by catcher Bengie Molina to allow Pie to move to third.

Mike Fontenot drew a walk to place runners on the corners in that same at-bat. Jason Kendall followed Fontenot with a grounder up the middle that second baseman Rich Aurilia was unable to handle, allowing Fontenot to take third and Pie to score the go-ahead run for a 3-2 lead.

With a runner on third and one out, pinch hitter Henry Blanco added an insurance run when he laid down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher, scoring Fontenot and putting the Cubs ahead 4-2.

Carlos Marmol (3-1) tossed two solid frames in relief in the eighth and ninth before turning it over to closer Ryan Dempster, who tossed a perfect 10th for his 20th save in 22 chances.

With Milwaukee's 3-2 loss to Arizona on Wednesday, the Cubs (65-60) forged one game ahead of the Brewers (65-62) in the National League Central.

The extra-inning affair overshadowed what was a pitching duel between Giants starter Barry Zito and fellow Cubs lefthander Rich Hill.

Zito yielded two runs and five hits over eight innings, continuing his strong August after a rollercoaster beginning to the season. The 2002 American League Cy Young Award winner carried a 7-10 record and 5.28 ERA through the end of July but has rebounded to go 2-1 with a 2.76 ERA since.

Hill allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings and struck out 10. The double-digit strikeout performance was his second of the season and fifth of his three-year major league career.

Barry Bonds notched his 600th career double in the third to score to score Randy Winn for the Giants second run. The double by the seven-time National League MVP made him just the 14th player in major league history to accomplish that feat.

 

Cubs take advantage of miscues, top Giants

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 4, SAN FRANCISCO 2 (10 INNINGS)</h3>SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Two games, two incredible wins forthe Chicago Cubs.


The Cubs took advantage of a couple of defensive lapses as theydefeated the San Francisco Giants, 4-2, in 10 innings onWednesday.


In a game that had been deadlocked since the fourth inning at2-2, Chicago got to San Francisco reliever Patrick Misch (0-3)in the 10th inning off a pair of Giants defensive gaffes. Thiscame on the heels of Tuesday's contest in which the Cubs scoredall five of their runs in the ninth inning to record a 5-1 win.

Cliff Floyd opened the 10th with a leadoff double before givingway to Felix Pie, who took over as a pinch runner. Threepitches later, Misch's pitch passed by catcher Bengie Molina toallow Pie to move to third.


Mike Fontenot drew a walk to place runners on the corners inthat same at-bat. Jason Kendall followed Fontenot with agrounder up the middle that second baseman Rich Aurilia wasunable to handle, allowing Fontenot to take third and Pie toscore the go-ahead run for a 3-2 lead.


With a runner on third and one out, pinch hitter Henry Blancoadded an insurance run when he laid down a sacrifice bunt to thepitcher, scoring Fontenot and putting the Cubs ahead 4-2.

Carlos Marmol (3-1) tossed two solid frames in relief in theeighth and ninth before turning it over to closer Ryan Dempster,who tossed a perfect 10th for his 20th save in 22 chances.

With Milwaukee's 3-2 loss to Arizona on Wednesday, the Cubs(65-60) forged one game ahead of the Brewers (65-62) in theNational League Central.


The extra-inning affair overshadowed what was a pitching duelbetween Giants starter Barry Zito and fellow Cubs lefthanderRich Hill.


Zito yielded two runs and five hits over eight innings,continuing his strong August after a rollercoaster beginning tothe season. The 2002 American League Cy Young Award winnercarried a 7-10 record and 5.28 ERA through the end of July buthas rebounded to go 2-1 with a 2.76 ERA since.


Hill allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings and struckout 10. The double-digit strikeout performance was his secondof the season and fifth of his three-year major league career.

Barry Bonds notched his 600th career double in the third toscore to score Randy Winn for the Giants second run. The doubleby the seven-time National League MVP made him just the 14thplayer in major league history to accomplish that feat.

 

Cubs take advantage of miscues, top Giants

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 4, SAN FRANCISCO 2 (10 INNINGS)</h3>SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Two games, two incredible wins forthe Chicago Cubs.


The Cubs took advantage of a couple of defensive lapses as theydefeated the San Francisco Giants, 4-2, in 10 innings onWednesday.


In a game that had been deadlocked at 2-2 since the fourthinning, Chicago got to San Francisco reliever Patrick Misch(0-3) in the 10th thanks to a pair of defensive gaffes. Thiscame on the heels of Tuesday's contest in which the Cubs scoredall five of their runs in the ninth inning to record a 5-1 win.

Cliff Floyd opened the 10th with a leadoff double before givingway to Felix Pie, who took over as a pinch runner. Threepitches later, Misch's offering passed by catcher Bengie Molina,allowing Pie to move to third.


Mike Fontenot drew a walk to place runners on the corners, andJason Kendall followed with a grounder up the middle that secondbaseman Rich Aurilia was unable to handle, allowing Fontenot totake third and Pie to score the go-ahead run.


"I tried to elevate it and didn't," said Kendall, who acquiredfrom Oakland on July 16. "Fortunately for us, it took a goodkick or whatever you want to call it. This is a good team. Youjust have to have fun. You can't teach that, you just have todo it. We have fun out there and it's good to be a part of."

With a runner on third and one out, pinch hitter Henry Blancoadded an insurance run when he successfully executed a squeezeplay, scoring Fontenot and putting the Cubs ahead, 4-2.

"Everything worked out pretty good. We got the run in," Blancosaid. "I've done it before in my career. I guess they like mein those situations."


Carlos Marmol (3-1) tossed two solid frames in relief beforeturning it over to closer Ryan Dempster, who worked a perfect10th for his 20th save in 22 chances.


"We only scored two runs, but again our pitching made itpossible," Chicago manager Lou Piniella said. "(Rich) Hillpitched really well. Marmol (and) Dempster finished it up. Weonly gave up two runs and then we added two there in the 10th.It was a good win for us, hard-fought, believe me."

With Milwaukee's 3-2 loss to Arizona on Wednesday, the Cubs(65-60) moved one game ahead of the Brewers (65-62) in theNational League Central Division. However, Piniella insisted heis not focused on the standings - at least right now.

"We've just got to win games," Piniella said. "(If) we winenough ballgames, things will take care of themselves, andthat's what we're trying to do."


The extra-inning affair overshadowed what was a pitchers' duelbetween Giants starter Barry Zito and fellow lefthander Hill.

Zito yielded two runs and five hits in eight innings, continuinghis strong month after a roller-coaster beginning to theseason. The 2002 American League Cy Young Award winner carrieda 7-10 record and 5.28 ERA through the end of July but hasrebounded to go 2-1 with a 2.76 ERA since.


"I'm not in the business of talking about frustration ornegative things," Zito said. "You just have to keep working andanticipate positive results."


"Z (Zito) threw great. He had good stuff tonight," SanFrancisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "(That's) two greatpitching efforts we've had, and that's why it's hard not to comeaway with a win or two."


Hill allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings and struckout 10. The double-digit strikeout performance was his secondof the season and fifth of his three-year major league career.

"The biggest thing was continuing that aggressive mind set andtaking that out there for seven innings," Hill said. "It wasfun facing Zito (and) it was fun facing Barry Bonds. Those arethings you will remember."


Bonds notched his 600th career double in the third, platingRandy Winn for the Giants' second run. The seven-time NationalLeague MVP and all-time home run leader became just the 14thplayer in major league history to reach the plateau.

It was only the second win in nine extra-inning games thisseason for the Cubs and first since a 4-3 triumph in 10 inningson May 6 against Washington.