All of a sudden the Chicago Cubs (19-22) have a pulse. After defeating the Phillies (24-15) on Wednesday night, the Cubs are the owners of a 4 game win streak.
Beating the Phillies isn’t an easy assignment but Tom Gorzelanny (2-4) sliced and diced Philly’s lineup to the tune of only 3 hits over 6.2 scoreless innings. The Illinois native fanned 5 while walking only 2.
Gorzelanny has pitched extremely well all season but has been plagued by lack of run support. But the way he threw the ball tonight, he didn’t much help to earn his 2nd victory of the season.
The Cubs only had 6 hits all game (Philadelphia only had 5) but they were of the clutch variety. They were facing the ageless wonder: Jamie Moyer (5-3).
In the top of the 3rd, Starlin Castro hustled out an infield hit that scored Ryan Theriot. Jeff Baker hit the game winning RBI in the 7th that plated Alfonso Soriano.
John Grabow allowed the lone Phillies’ run in the 8th.
Then in the top of the 9th, Xavier Nady came up with men on base in an RBI situation. Nady came through in the clutch, with a 2 run single scoring Derrek Lee and Marlon Byrd to add to make the score 4-1 Cubs.
Carlos Marmol notched his 7th save of the season but it wasn’t easy. With 1 out, Marmol walked Raul Ibanez on 4 pitches and then hit Carlos Ruiz to put men on 1st and 2nd. Marmol settled down and fanned Ross Gload and Shane Victorino to end the game. Cubs win 4-1.
During the game, multiple reports started to break news that the Cubs had signed Bob Howry. Howry struggled during his stint as a Cub in 2008 and wasn’t a fan favorite. He was just released by the Diamondbacks (who own the worst bullpen in MLB) last week.
The Cubs will look to sweep the Phillies in the 2 game set on Thursday in day game action. Ryan Dempster (2-4) will look to snap his 4 game losing streak (although 3 of 4 losses have been quality starts). The Phillies will have Joe Blanton (1-2) on the mound and will look to him to split the 2 game series with Chicago.
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