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.

The Cubs gave Rich all the support that he needed in the second inning, when Geovany Soto hit a two-run homer in the second to follow a Mark DeRosa solo shot earlier in the inning, taking advantage of a wild Jason Bergmann. Bergmann didn't look long for this game early on, not being able to spot his slider through the first few innings. Even Alfonso Soriano took a walk, just to give you some idea. However, he found his release point shortly after, and settled in for a decent start.

Well, at least the seventh, when a double to Mike Fontenot was enough to chase him from the game, in favor of Steven Shell. Kosuke Fukudome -- pinch-hitting for Rich Harden -- then hits a two-run shot to the right field bleachers. The news from the clubhouse is that he's working on hitting adjustments, and should be back in the lineup tomorrow.

"We'll talk about hitting, hitting mechanics, not about anything else. He's in-between. He's slightly behind the fastball and ahead of the breaking ball. Whether it's him or anybody else, you have to hit one of the two with consistency."

I caught a slight change in the leg kick, but couldn't make out much more than that. If someone was able to pick up on any other alterations, drop me a note. And expect Derrek Lee to join him Monday against the Pirates, after sitting out this game with back spasms.

Carlos Marmol and Jeff Samardzija closed out the game in mopup, with Marmol loading the bases in the eighth before striking out Christian Guzman. After that, the National went pretty quietly in the ninth.

I did hope for a better homestand, but 4-2, and 30 games over .500 is an awfully good place to be at this time of the year. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.