Kosuke Fukudome had another great day, his fifth game batting .500. "He's been our spark," said Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, who broke out of a mini-slump with a 4-for-4 day that included his second home run. "He's been there every day for us. The crowd's feeding off it and we're feeding off it. He's great for us right now."
Jason Marquis started and went 5 1/3, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits with 2 strikeouts and a walk. Kevin Hart came in for the rest of the 6th and finished another inning and earned his first win of the season. Kerry Wood earned his second save of the season. Astros' starter Roy Oswalt took the loss.
OPINION
The Cubs are coming alive! As the thermometer readings rise, so does the Cubs offensive performance, and defensive performance. They did commit another error so they still have improvements to make, but they are definitely progressing. If the Cubs turn in a well-balanced game as they did today, they'll rise to the top of the division.
In the past, the Cubs had been spotty with their bullpen, today it gave up 2 runs but was still able to close out the game with a win. Thank you Kerry!
Now, I was going to let this one go if it showed any signs of life... but no. Alfonso Soriano--what's the deal!? He went 0-5 today and lowered his average to .045 on the season. He's been swinging at way too many pitches. It's nothing mechanical, it's everything psychological. Either he's thinking he can jack every pitch he sees out of the park, or he's just not being selective enough. I think it's the latter, Soriano has always had strikeout problems. Though he didn't strikeout at all today, he's still not getting the contact he prefers. His body language tells you that he's not in a hitting mood.
No sweat, we have so many more games to enjoy! Unless Soriano keeps forgetting his bat at the plate.
In the past, the Cubs had been spotty with their bullpen, today it gave up 2 runs but was still able to close out the game with a win. Thank you Kerry!
Now, I was going to let this one go if it showed any signs of life... but no. Alfonso Soriano--what's the deal!? He went 0-5 today and lowered his average to .045 on the season. He's been swinging at way too many pitches. It's nothing mechanical, it's everything psychological. Either he's thinking he can jack every pitch he sees out of the park, or he's just not being selective enough. I think it's the latter, Soriano has always had strikeout problems. Though he didn't strikeout at all today, he's still not getting the contact he prefers. His body language tells you that he's not in a hitting mood.
No sweat, we have so many more games to enjoy! Unless Soriano keeps forgetting his bat at the plate.
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