GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: CHICAGO CUBS (75-71) at ST LOUIS (69-75)

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS

<div class="pre">NL AT ST LOUIS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Branyan hit for M Cairo.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, Y MOLINA ON FIRST, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 5
ST LOUIS 3 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR ST LOUIS: R Branyan (.191, 10 HR, 25 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS

<div class="pre">NL AT ST LOUIS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: S Taguchi hit for B Ryan.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, R BRANYAN ON FIRST, Y MOLINA ON SECOND, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CHICAGO CUBS 5
ST LOUIS 3 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR ST LOUIS: S Taguchi (.293, 3 HR, 24 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS

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

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

STL - ADAM WAINWRIGHT, RYAN FRANKLIN (8TH), JASON
ISRINGHAUSEN (9TH) AND YADIER MOLINA

HOME RUNS: CHN - CLIFF FLOYD (8) OFF ADAM WAINWRIGHT IN THE 7TH, 0 ON

STL - ALBERT PUJOLS (31) OFF CARLOS ZAMBRANO IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JIM EDMONDS (12) OFF RYAN DEMPSTER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON
RYAN LUDWICK (13) OFF RYAN DEMPSTER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS

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

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

STL - ADAM WAINWRIGHT, RYAN FRANKLIN (8TH), JASON
ISRINGHAUSEN (9TH) AND YADIER MOLINA


WP - CARLOS ZAMBRANO (16-12)
LP - ADAM WAINWRIGHT (13-11)
SAVE - BOBBY HOWRY (8)

HOME RUNS: CHN - CLIFF FLOYD (8) OFF ADAM WAINWRIGHT IN THE 7TH, 0 ON

STL - ALBERT PUJOLS (31) OFF CARLOS ZAMBRANO IN THE 6TH, 0 ON
JIM EDMONDS (12) OFF RYAN DEMPSTER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON
RYAN LUDWICK (13) OFF RYAN DEMPSTER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON


TIME: 2:26 ATT: 45,750

PROBABLES: CHN - TED LILLY (15-7, 3.85) & CHN - SEAN MARSHALL (7-7, 3.92)
STL - BRADEN LOOPER (12-10, 4.70) & STL - JOEL PINEIRO (4-3, 4.60)</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS

<div class="pre">CHICAGO CUBS (5) VS ST LOUIS (3) - FINAL

CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Soriano lf 4 0 0 0 1 1 1 .287
R Theriot ss 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .270
D Lee 1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .311
A Ramirez 3b 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .316
C Floyd rf 3 1 1 1 0 0 2 .291
F Pie cf 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .216
M DeRosa 2b 4 0 1 1 0 1 0 .288
J Jones cf-rf 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 .274
J Kendall c 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 .288
C Zambrano p 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .260
a-D Ward ph 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 .347
R Dempster p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 33 5 7 5 4 5 6

a-doubled to deep center for C Zambrano in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - A Ramirez (34, A Wainwright); F Pie (9, J Isringhausen); D Ward
(12, J Isringhausen). HR - C Floyd (8, 7th inning off A Wainwright 0 on, 0
Out). RBI - M DeRosa (69), C Floyd (43), D Ward 3 (19). 2-out RBI - M DeRosa, D
Ward 3. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Zambrano 1, C Floyd 1, A
Soriano 1. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: CS - A Soriano (6, 2nd base by A Wainwright/Y Molina).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Theriot-M DeRosa-D Lee).


ST LOUIS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Miles 2b 5 0 1 0 0 0 4 .300
R Ankiel rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .284
J Isringhausen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
A Pujols 1b 4 1 2 1 0 0 0 .321
J Edmonds cf 3 1 1 1 1 0 1 .250
S Schumaker lf-rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
S Spiezio 3b 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .269
R Franklin p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500
R Ludwick lf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .255
Y Molina c 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .277
A Wainwright p 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 .278
M Cairo 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .143
a-R Branyan ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .196
B Ryan ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .318
b-S Taguchi ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .296

Totals 35 3 9 3 2 3 12

a-singled to right for M Cairo in the 9th; b-singled to center for B Ryan in
the 9th.

BATTING: HR - A Pujols (31, 6th inning off C Zambrano 0 on, 2 Out), J Edmonds
(12, 9th inning off R Dempster 0 on, 1 Out), R Ludwick (13, 9th inning off R
Dempster 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - A Pujols (92), J Edmonds (46), R Ludwick (43).
2-out RBI - A Pujols, R Ludwick. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A
Miles 2, Y Molina 1. GIDP - J Edmonds. Team LOB - 7.

FIELDING: E - S Schumaker (2, throw).


----------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO CUBS - 000 100 103 -- 5
ST LOUIS - 000 001 002 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
C Zambrano (W, 16-12) 8 4 1 1 2 3 1 4.14
R Dempster 2/3 3 2 2 0 0 2 4.22
B Howry (S, 8) 1/3 2 0 0 0 0 0 3.41

ST LOUIS ip h r er bb so hr era
A Wainwright (L, 13-11) 7 5 2 2 2 3 1 3.71
R Franklin 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.34
J Isringhausen 1 2 3 3 2 1 0 2.17

IBB - J Jones (by J Isringhausen). Pitches-strikes: C Zambrano 101-66; R
Dempster 22-12; B Howry 6-4; A Wainwright 96-58; R Franklin 15-8; J
Isringhausen 22-11. Ground balls-fly balls: C Zambrano 13-8; R Dempster 1-1; B
Howry 1-0; A Wainwright 7-10; R Franklin 2-0; J Isringhausen 1-1. Batters
faced: C Zambrano 29; R Dempster 5; B Howry 3; A Wainwright 27; R Franklin 3; J
Isringhausen 7.

UMPIRES: HP--Tim Mcclelland. 1B--Fieldin Culbreth. 2B--Marty Foster. 3B--Paul
Schrieber.

T--2:26. Att--45,750.
Weather: 65 degrees, clear. Wind: 12 mph, left to
right.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
CHICAGO CUBS 5
ST LOUIS 3 FINAL</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHICAGO CUBS (5) AT ST LOUIS (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: D Lee grounded out to shortstop. A Ramirez hit a ground
rule double to right. C Floyd grounded out to shortstop, A Ramirez to third.
M DeRosa singled to shallow right, A Ramirez scored. J Jones grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, M DeRosa out at second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 1, ST LOUIS 0.

ST LOUIS 6TH: A Miles lined out to third. R Ankiel grounded out to
shortstop. A Pujols homered to center. J Edmonds grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 1, ST LOUIS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: C Floyd homered to right. M DeRosa struck out swinging.
J Jones grounded out to shortstop. J Kendall singled to left, J Kendall to
second on throwing error by left fielder S Schumaker. C Zambrano struck out
swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) CHICAGO CUBS 2, ST LOUIS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 9TH: J Isringhausen relieved R Franklin. S Schumaker in right
field. R Ludwick in left field. A Ramirez fouled out to first. F Pie doubled
to deep right. M DeRosa grounded out to shortstop, F Pie to third. J Jones
intentionally walked. J Kendall walked, J Jones to second. D Ward hit for
C Zambrano. D Ward doubled to deep center, F Pie, J Jones and J Kendall scored.
A Soriano struck out looking. (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 5,
ST LOUIS 1.

ST LOUIS 9TH: R Dempster relieved C Zambrano. A Pujols grounded out to
shortstop. J Edmonds homered to right. S Schumaker flied out to left.
R Ludwick homered to center. Y Molina singled to left. B Howry relieved
R Dempster. R Branyan hit for M Cairo. R Branyan singled to right, Y Molina to
second. S Taguchi hit for B Ryan. S Taguchi singled to center, Y Molina to
third, R Branyan to second. A Miles grounded out to shortstop. (2 Runs,
5 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 5, ST LOUIS 3.</div>

 

NL: CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHICAGO CUBS (5) AT ST LOUIS (3) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

St Louis Starting Lineups -- A Miles 2B, R Ankiel RF, A Pujols 1B, J Edmonds CF,
S Schumaker LF, S Spiezio 3B, Y Molina C, B Ryan SS, A Wainwright RHP.

Umpires -- Tim Mcclelland (HP), Fieldin Culbreth (1B), Marty Foster (2B),
Paul Schrieber (3B).

Gametime Weather: 65 degrees, Clear, wind left to right at 12 mph.


CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: A Soriano walked. R Theriot lined out to right.
A Soriano caught stealing second, catcher to second. D Lee walked. A Ramirez
singled to shallow right, D Lee to second. C Floyd flied out to right.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 0, ST LOUIS 0.

ST LOUIS 1ST: A Miles grounded out to second. R Ankiel struck out
swinging. A Pujols grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 0, ST LOUIS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: M DeRosa flied out to center. J Jones grounded out to
second. J Kendall struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 0, ST LOUIS 0.

ST LOUIS 2ND: J Edmonds walked. S Schumaker grounded out to first,
J Edmonds to second. S Spiezio grounded out to first, J Edmonds to third.
Y Molina grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 0,
ST LOUIS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: C Zambrano grounded out to first. A Soriano flied out to
center. R Theriot lined out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 0, ST LOUIS 0.

ST LOUIS 3RD: A Wainwright reached on infield single to shortstop. B Ryan
struck out swinging. A Miles popped out to shortstop. R Ankiel popped out to
second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 0, ST LOUIS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: D Lee grounded out to shortstop. A Ramirez hit a ground
rule double to right. C Floyd grounded out to shortstop, A Ramirez to third.
M DeRosa singled to shallow right, A Ramirez scored. J Jones grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, M DeRosa out at second. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 1, ST LOUIS 0.

ST LOUIS 4TH: A Pujols reached on infield single to third. J Edmonds
grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, A Pujols out at
second. S Schumaker grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 1, ST LOUIS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: J Kendall popped out to second. C Zambrano grounded out
to shortstop. A Soriano flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 1, ST LOUIS 0.

ST LOUIS 5TH: S Spiezio walked. Y Molina lined out to center.
A Wainwright bunt popped out to first. B Ryan grounded out to third. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 1, ST LOUIS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: R Theriot lined out to center. D Lee lined out to
shortstop. A Ramirez flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 1, ST LOUIS 0.

ST LOUIS 6TH: A Miles lined out to third. R Ankiel grounded out to
shortstop. A Pujols homered to center. J Edmonds grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 1, ST LOUIS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: C Floyd homered to right. M DeRosa struck out swinging.
J Jones grounded out to shortstop. J Kendall singled to left, J Kendall to
second on throwing error by left fielder S Schumaker. C Zambrano struck out
swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) CHICAGO CUBS 2, ST LOUIS 1.

ST LOUIS 7TH: S Schumaker grounded out to first. S Spiezio struck out
looking. Y Molina popped out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHICAGO CUBS 2, ST LOUIS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: R Franklin relieved A Wainwright. M Cairo at third base.
A Soriano grounded out to shortstop. R Theriot struck out swinging. D Lee
grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2, ST LOUIS 1.

ST LOUIS 8TH: F Pie in center field. J Jones in right field. M Cairo flied
out to right. B Ryan grounded out to second. A Miles singled to left.
R Ankiel flied out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 2, ST LOUIS 1.

CHICAGO CUBS 9TH: J Isringhausen relieved R Franklin. S Schumaker in right
field. R Ludwick in left field. A Ramirez fouled out to first. F Pie doubled
to deep right. M DeRosa grounded out to shortstop, F Pie to third. J Jones
intentionally walked. J Kendall walked, J Jones to second. D Ward hit for
C Zambrano. D Ward doubled to deep center, F Pie, J Jones and J Kendall scored.
A Soriano struck out looking. (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 5,
ST LOUIS 1.

ST LOUIS 9TH: R Dempster relieved C Zambrano. A Pujols grounded out to
shortstop. J Edmonds homered to right. S Schumaker flied out to left.
R Ludwick homered to center. Y Molina singled to left. B Howry relieved
R Dempster. R Branyan hit for M Cairo. R Branyan singled to right, Y Molina to
second. S Taguchi hit for B Ryan. S Taguchi singled to center, Y Molina to
third, R Branyan to second. A Miles grounded out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 5 Hits,
0 Errors) CHICAGO CUBS 5, ST LOUIS 3.</div>

 

Zambrano leads Cubs over Cardinals in NL Central showdown

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 5, ST LOUIS 3</h3>By Chip Sotolar
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- In a battle of aces it was Carlos Zambranowho came out on top.


Zambrano pitched eight strong innings and Cliff Floyd homered asthe Chicago Cubs edged the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-3, on Friday.

Zambrano (16-12) showed why the Cubs signed the righthander to afive-year, $91.5 million contract extension, as he allowed onerun and four hits while striking out three and walking two enroute to tying his career high in wins.


The victory increased the Cubs (76-71) lead in the NationalLeague Central Division to 1 1/2 games over the MilwaukeeBrewers (74-72), who lost to Cincinnati, and six games over theCardinals (69-76), who have dropped their last eight games astheir playoff hopes dwindle.


Zambrano dominated the first five innings as he allowed only twoinfield hits before Albert Pujols tied the game with two outsin the sixth inning. The Cardinals' slugger hit Zambrano'sfirst pitch into the right-center field stands for his 31sthomer of the year.


The game didn't stay tied for long, as Floyd led off the seventhwith a solo home run off Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, hiseighth of the season, giving the Cubs a 2-1 advantage.

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa adjusted his pitching rotationby moving Wainwright back a day in order to have the 26-year-oldrighthander face the division leaders.


Despite suffering the loss, Wainwright (13-11) didn'tdisappoint, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings todrop to 0-3 in seven appearances against Chicago.


The Cubs opened the scoring in the fourth inning off Wainwrightas Aramis Ramirez hit a ground-rule double down the right fieldline with one out and went to third on Floyd's groundout. MarkDeRosa fisted a 1-0 pitch into right field to give the Cubs a1-0 lead.


Chicago cemented the game in the ninth, adding three insuranceruns as Daryle Ward, who pinch hit for Zambrano, stroked abases-loaded double over the head of Jim Edmonds in centerfield, giving the Cubs a 5-1 lead.


Edmonds and Ryan Ludwick each hit solo home runs in the bottomof the ninth off Cubs closer Ryan Dempster, narrowing the Cubslead to just two. After Yadier Molina singled to left, Dempsterwas lifted in favor of Bob Howry, who gave up a single toRussell Branyan, putting runners on first and second with twoouts.


So Taguchi delivered a base hit up the middle, loading the basesfor Aaron Miles. The comeback fell short as Howry got Miles toground out for the final out of the game.

 

Zambrano leads Cubs over Cardinals in NL Central showdown

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 5, ST LOUIS 3</h3>By Chip Sotolar
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- In a battle of aces it was Carlos Zambranowho came out on top.


Zambrano pitched eight strong innings and Cliff Floyd homered asthe Chicago Cubs edged the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-3, on Friday.

Zambrano (16-12) showed why the Cubs signed the righthander to afive-year, $91.5 million contract extension, as he allowed onerun and four hits while striking out three and walking two enroute to tying his career high in wins.


The victory increased the Cubs (76-71) lead in the NationalLeague Central Division to 1 1/2 games over the MilwaukeeBrewers (74-72), who lost to Cincinnati, and six games over theCardinals (69-76), who have dropped their last eight games astheir playoff hopes dwindle.


Zambrano dominated the first five innings as he allowed only twoinfield hits before Albert Pujols tied the game with two outsin the sixth inning. The Cardinals' slugger hit Zambrano'sfirst pitch into the right-center field stands for his 31sthomer of the year.


The game didn't stay tied for long, as Floyd led off the seventhwith a solo home run off Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, hiseighth of the season, giving the Cubs a 2-1 advantage.

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa adjusted his pitching rotationby moving Wainwright back a day in order to have the 26-year-oldrighthander face the division leaders.


Despite suffering the loss, Wainwright (13-11) didn'tdisappoint, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings todrop to 0-3 in seven appearances against Chicago.


The Cubs opened the scoring in the fourth inning off Wainwrightas Aramis Ramirez hit a ground-rule double down the right fieldline with one out and went to third on Floyd's groundout. MarkDeRosa fisted a 1-0 pitch into right field to give the Cubs a1-0 lead.


Chicago cemented the game in the ninth, adding three insuranceruns as Daryle Ward, who pinch hit for Zambrano, stroked abases-loaded double over the head of Jim Edmonds in centerfield, giving the Cubs a 5-1 lead.


Edmonds and Ryan Ludwick each hit solo home runs in the bottomof the ninth off Cubs closer Ryan Dempster, narrowing the Cubslead to just two. After Yadier Molina singled to left, Dempsterwas lifted in favor of Bob Howry, who gave up a single toRussell Branyan, putting runners on first and second with twoouts.


So Taguchi delivered a base hit up the middle, loading the basesfor Aaron Miles. The comeback fell short as Howry notched hiseighth save of the season when he got Miles to ground out forthe final out of the game

 

Zambrano leads Cubs over Cardinals in NL Central showdown

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 5, ST LOUIS 3</h3>By Chip Sotolar
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- In a battle of aces it was Carlos Zambranowho came out on top.


Zambrano pitched eight strong innings and Cliff Floyd homered asthe Chicago Cubs edged the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-3, on Friday.

Zambrano (16-12) showed why the Cubs signed the righthander to afive-year, $91.5 million contract extension, as he allowed onerun and four hits while striking out three and walking two enroute to tying his career high in wins.


The victory increased the Cubs (76-71) lead in the NationalLeague Central Division to 1 1/2 games over the MilwaukeeBrewers (74-72), who lost to Cincinnati, and six games over theCardinals (69-76), who have dropped their last eight games astheir playoff hopes dwindle.


Zambrano dominated the first five innings as he allowed only twoinfield hits before Albert Pujols tied the game with two outsin the sixth inning. The Cardinals' slugger hit Zambrano'sfirst pitch into the right-center field stands for his 31sthomer of the year.


The game didn't stay tied for long, as Floyd led off the seventhwith a solo home run off Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, hiseighth of the season, giving the Cubs a 2-1 advantage.

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa adjusted his pitching rotationby moving Wainwright back a day in order to have the 26-year-oldrighthander face the division leaders.


Despite suffering the loss, Wainwright (13-11) didn'tdisappoint, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings todrop to 0-3 in seven appearances against Chicago.


The Cubs opened the scoring in the fourth inning off Wainwrightas Aramis Ramirez hit a ground-rule double down the right fieldline with one out and went to third on Floyd's groundout. MarkDeRosa fisted a 1-0 pitch into right field to give the Cubs a1-0 lead.


Chicago cemented the game in the ninth, adding three insuranceruns as Daryle Ward, who pinch hit for Zambrano, stroked abases-loaded double over the head of Jim Edmonds in centerfield, giving the Cubs a 5-1 lead.


Edmonds and Ryan Ludwick each hit solo home runs in the bottomof the ninth off Cubs closer Ryan Dempster, narrowing the Cubslead to just two. After Yadier Molina singled to left, Dempsterwas lifted in favor of Bob Howry, who gave up a single toRussell Branyan, putting runners on first and second with twoouts.


So Taguchi delivered a base hit up the middle, loading the basesfor Aaron Miles. The comeback fell short as Howry notched hiseighth save of the season when he got Miles to ground out forthe final out of the game.

 

Zambrano leads Cubs over Cardinals in NL Central showdown

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 5, ST LOUIS 3</h3>By Chip Sotolar
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- In a battle of aces it was Carlos Zambranowho came out on top.


Zambrano pitched eight strong innings and Cliff Floyd homered asthe Chicago Cubs edged the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-3, on Friday.

Zambrano (16-12) showed why the Cubs signed the righthander to afive-year, $91.5 million contract extension, as he allowed onerun and four hits while striking out three and walking two enroute to tying his career high in wins.


The victory increased the Cubs (76-71) lead in the NationalLeague Central Division to 1 1/2 games over the MilwaukeeBrewers (74-72), who lost to Cincinnati, and six games over theCardinals (69-76), who have dropped their last eight games astheir playoff hopes dwindle.


Zambrano dominated the first five innings as he allowed only twoinfield hits before Albert Pujols tied the game with two outsin the sixth inning. The Cardinals' slugger hit Zambrano'sfirst pitch into the right-center field stands for his 31sthomer of the year.


The game didn't stay tied for long, as Floyd led off the seventhwith a solo home run off Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, hiseighth of the season, giving the Cubs a 2-1 advantage.

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa adjusted his pitching rotationby moving Wainwright back a day in order to have the 26-year-oldrighthander face the division leaders.


Despite suffering the loss, Wainwright (13-11) didn'tdisappoint, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings todrop to 0-3 in seven appearances against Chicago.


The Cubs opened the scoring in the fourth inning off Wainwrightas Aramis Ramirez hit a ground-rule double down the right fieldline with one out and went to third on Floyd's groundout. MarkDeRosa fisted a 1-0 pitch into right field to give the Cubs a1-0 lead.


Chicago cemented the game in the ninth, adding three insuranceruns as Daryle Ward, who pinch hit for Zambrano, stroked abases-loaded double over the head of Jim Edmonds in centerfield, giving the Cubs a 5-1 lead.


Edmonds and Ryan Ludwick each hit solo home runs in the bottomof the ninth off Cubs closer Ryan Dempster, narrowing the Cubslead to just two. After Yadier Molina singled to left, Dempsterwas lifted in favor of Bob Howry, who gave up a single toRussell Branyan, putting runners on first and second with twoouts.


So Taguchi delivered a base hit up the middle, loading the basesfor Aaron Miles. The comeback fell short as Howry notched hiseighth save of the season when he got Miles to ground out forthe final out of the game.

 

Zambrano leads Cubs over Cardinals in NL Central showdown

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 5, ST LOUIS 3</h3>By Chip Sotolar
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


ST. LOUIS (Ticker) - In a battle of aces, it was Carlos Zambranowho came out on top.


Zambrano pitched eight strong innings and Cliff Floyd homered asthe Chicago Cubs edged the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-3, on Friday.

Zambrano (16-12) showed why the Cubs signed the righthander to afive-year, $91.5 million contract extension, as he allowed onerun and four hits while striking out three and walking two enroute to tying his career high in wins.


"I was feeling good today," Zambrano said. "I don't think I canpitch any better. I've been using my fastball and my cuttermore for strikes. The key in this game is to throw strikes andget ahead in the count."


"He really looked focused out there," Cubs manager Lou Piniellasaid. "He was in command. Big Z today really, really pitchedwell. He was focused and was in command of that game."

The victory increased the Cubs (76-71) lead in the NationalLeague Central Division to 1 1/2 games over the MilwaukeeBrewers (74-72), who lost to Cincinnati, and six games over theCardinals (69-76), who have dropped their last eight games astheir playoff hopes dwindle.


Zambrano dominated the first five innings as he allowed only twoinfield hits before Albert Pujols tied the game with two outsin the sixth inning. The Cardinals' slugger hit Zambrano'sfirst pitch into the right-center field stands for his 31sthomer of the year.


"I made one mistake to Pujols," Zambrano said. "He's a greathitter."


The game didn't stay tied for long, as Floyd led off the seventhwith a solo home run off Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, hiseighth of the season, giving the Cubs a 2-1 advantage.

"I was looking fastball and I put a good swing on it," Floydsaid. "Winning the first game eases the pressure off of you alittle bit. It's a tough four games but we know what is atstake."


"(Pujols) hits a homer there and I give the run right back,"Wainwright said. "I have people telling me you threw the ballgreat and all this but the fact is a tie game you can't give upa home run in the seventh inning like that to a dangeroushitter. That was a bad job of pitching on my part."

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa adjusted his pitching rotationby moving Wainwright back a day in order to have the 26-year-oldrighthander face the division leaders.


Despite suffering the loss, Wainwright (13-11) didn'tdisappoint, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings todrop to 0-3 in seven appearances against Chicago.


"I thought he carried it (well) through seven innings," La Russasaid. "I thought it was a very important start for now and hisfuture and he handled it very well. He gave us a great chanceto win."


The Cubs opened the scoring in the fourth inning off Wainwrightas Aramis Ramirez hit a ground-rule double down the right fieldline with one out and went to third on Floyd's groundout. MarkDeRosa fisted a 1-0 pitch into right field to give the Cubs a1-0 lead.


Chicago cemented the game in the ninth, adding three insuranceruns as Daryle Ward, who pinch hit for Zambrano, stroked abases-loaded double over the head of Jim Edmonds in centerfield, giving the Cubs a 5-1 lead.


"Your just hoping that (Jason Isringhausen) makes a mistake,"Ward said. "Isringhausen is really good. He usually throwscutters. I was kind of surprised that he threw me a sinker thatwas out over the plate. It was a rare mistake he made and Iwas able to capitalize on it."


"I was trying to throw a sinker down," Isringhausen said."(Ward) stayed on it good and it kept slicing away from Jimmy(Edmonds)."


Edmonds and Ryan Ludwick each hit solo home runs in the bottomof the ninth off Cubs closer Ryan Dempster, narrowing the Cubslead to just two. After Yadier Molina singled to left, Dempsterwas lifted in favor of Bob Howry, who gave up a single toRussell Branyan, putting runners on first and second with twoouts.


So Taguchi delivered a base hit up the middle, loading the basesfor Aaron Miles. The comeback fell short as Howry notched hiseighth save of the season when he got Miles to ground out forthe final out of the game.


"It got really exciting there in the ninth inning," Piniellasaid. "My mouth was getting nice and dry. (I'm glad) Howry gotthat last out on that ground ball to the shortstop."

"These are games that you get beat but you don't feel like youlose," La Russa said. "This is a game where I felt like we dida lot of good things. We ended up a run short."