The Cubs dominated in all facets of the game last night as they beat the Reds 12-3 in a game that was played with up to 30mph winds blowing out to left field. Carlos Zambrano led the way on the mound and in the batters box as he not only moved his record to 2-1 with seven strong innings but he also had three hits. The Cubs were able to take a 10-1 lead after three innings and Zambrano cruised the rest of the way before giving way to RP Kevin Hart, who pitched the final two innings.
Earlier in the day the Cubs placed OF Alfonso Soriano on the 15-day disabled list but you never would have realized it with the way their offense clicked last night. Derrek Lee continued his tear against opposing pitchers as he went 3-4 with his sixth homer of the season. Kosuke Fukudome (2-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Mark DeRosa (1-3, 2 RBI), Ryan Theriot (2-5) and Geovony Soto (1-5, 3 RBI) also took advantage of some poor pitching from the Reds staff.
In other Cubs news.....OF Felix Pie didn't get the start in center field last night as Lou Piniella wants him to spend some extra time in the cage over the next couple of days. Pie hasn't looked good at the plate this season but the Cubs can use his left-handed bat in the lineup, so patience will be the key. It looks like DeRosa is going to pick up a lot of the starts in the left field while Soriano is out or at least until Pie proves he can be a consistent contributor.......The Cubs promoted IF/OF Eric Patterson from Iowa instead of OF Matt Murton. Patterson gives the Cubs some position flexibility and has more minor league options left than Murton. Look for Patterson to get a few at-bats with the Cubs in a bench role until Soriano returns.
2008 Cubs Preview
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