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Cubs Sun Jul 04 2010
Cubs Best Reds 3-1
After being beaten like the proverbial drum yesterday the Cubs tried something new for a change Saturday afternoon, winning. Despite leaving 17 men on base in this one they managed to put three runs up in support of Cubs starter Randy Wells. Wells has been in a slump since April, but his offense manage to support his stellar pitching performance.
Wells took a no-hitter in the seventh inning, he gave up five hits, one run and struck out five. Today was the first win for Wells since April 30. He pitched one of his better games of the year today. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild tweaked Wells' delivery and it seemed to make a difference.
While the offense has been on life support for what seems like an eternity it did show some signs of life, but not much. Alfonso Soriano go the Cubs on the board with a bloop single in the sixth. Later in the inning the Cubs had the bases loaded and Geovany Soto delivered a two-run double to make a 3-0 lead. Reds starter Johnny Cueto was certainly not fooling the Cubs hitters.
The offense posted ten hits, however it only resulted in three runs. They had scoring chances in almost every inning, but failed to take advantage of Cueto's ineffectiveness, but in the end a W is a W. Cubs skipper Lou Piniella credits today's win with not taking batting practice. Perhaps they should do that if more often, so long as its producing results.
If the Cubs are going to make any kind of attempt at getting back into the playoff hunt it needs to happen now, actually it needed to happen a few weeks ago, but whatever does happen it needs to happen sooner rather then later. Its amazing how they can leave 17 men on base and still win the ball game. Don't count on that happening every time. The Cubs caught a much needed break and it's time a few of those breaks started going the Cubs way for a change.
Although it has been said you make your own breaks. The Cubs wrap up this homestead tomorrow against the Reds before heading out the West coast before the All-Star break.
Ted Lilly (3-6, 3.12 ERA) will take on Cincinnati's Mike Leake (5-1, 3.30 ERA). Game time is 1:20 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on WGN TV and heard on WGN Radio 720 AM.
