New!! - Cubs 2, Pirates 0; Marquis deals a shutout

Jason Marquis threw seven shutout innings, and the Cubs scored two runs in the seventh to beat the Pirates 2-0 Thursday afternoon at PNC Park.

Many people who saw the game this afternoon will probably tell you that this was the best outing of the season for Marquis. Personally, I think his June 8th start against the Dodgers -- a more potent and veteran lineup by comparison -- ranks as his best, but this was a very, very good performance. Minus a Freddie Sanchez triple that rolled past a diving Mark DeRosa in the fourth, and yet another error by Alfonso Soriano in the first allowing Jack Wilson to reach base, Jason didn't allow another hitter past second. He walked none today, and even helped his own cause with a single in the fifth. It was great stuff, and really a continuation of his good performance last week against the Nationals -- no, the loss was not his fault. Jason mentioned in an interview earlier this month that he'd been working with a sports psychologist for the last year or so to help deal with his late-season struggles, which he acknowledges are likely more mental than anything else. The results are encouraging, because he's been worlds better, and even an average Marquis in September is an absolutely huge boost for the Cubs. Let's hope that his success continues. Continue>>

Cubs 12, Pirates 3; He's baacckk!!

Ted Lilly went seven strong innings for his 13th win of the season, and Chicago hitters pounded out 17 hits -- including three by Kosuke Fukudome, as the Cubs beat the Pirates 12-3. The Cubs now enjoy a five-game lead over idle Milwaukee, with 31 left to play.  Continue>>

Cubs 6, Nationals 1; Magnificent

The Cubs used three home runs -- including a pinch-hit shot by Kosuke Fukudome -- to power themselves to a 6-1 win over the Washington Nationals Sunday afternoon. Chicago is now at a season-high 30 games over .500.

I admit it. I watch alot of baseball, but injuries and West Coast time zones kept me from seeing Rich Harden much over the last few seasons. As such I was apprehensive about the reviews and feedback that I got when the Cubs acquired him. Could a pitcher -- an admittedly two-pitch one at that -- be this good? Well, the answer is yes, and I'm convinced. Watching his start in person against the Reds earlier this week, and today against the Nationals has made me a Rich Harden fan. He was very good this afternoon, going seven innings, while fanning 11. The best part? No walks. Nothing. Harden hit the mid-90s early and often, clocking 96-97 on a number of occasions, so you can imagine how off-balance hitters looked dealing with a 84MPH changeup to follow that up. In many at-bats, he didn't even appear to be trying to spot it well; it was more "here's my A stuff, now hit it".  Of course, leave it to Austin Kearns to get ahold of one; hitting a solo shot to the bleachers for the National's only run today. Continue>>