Game Four

CHICAGO -- If it isn't sloppy hitting, it's sloppy defense that blows a win for the Cubs. Mark DeRosa committed an error in the eigth inning that allowed the Houston Astros to score two runs and claim the lead for good in their 4-3 win. DeRosa did redeem himself somewhat in the ninth with a homerun, but it simply wasn't enough.

"We've got to start scoring more runs," Chicago manager Lou Piniella said. "You're not going to win too often scoring two runs. You have to put five, six runs on the board. I've said that many times. You can't make any mistakes at all when you put two runs on the board."

Derrek Lee seemed to agree, saying, "If we're going to win, we have to swing the bats better," Chicago first baseman Derrek Lee said. "[Rich Hill] held the team to two runs, and that's what you want from your starting pitcher. We need to find a better way of scoring runs."

What about DeRosa's critical eigth-inning defensive mishap? "I just botched it, period," DeRosa said. "I overcharged a baseball I probably shouldn't have. I probably should've stayed back and realized who was running. Dealing with a new infield -- no excuses, though. That's a normal hop and a play I should make nine times out of 10."

A drainage system was installed during the off-season and the Major League's last crown infield was removed, lowering the field by 17 inches and leveling it. New infield grass is shorter than the former infield, notoriously longer and thicker.

Rich Hill took the start for the Cubs, going 6 innings and giving up 2 runs on 4 hits--including a 2-run homer, while striking out 4 and walking 3. Wesley Wright earned the win for the Astros.

OPINION

The Cubs are making progress, but clearly have a ways to go. The hitting was a bit more apparent, and the pitching was strong as it has been all season. The only problem that held the Cubs down in Friday's loss was defensive mishaps during the later innings.

Don't panic, the weather hasn't even been 50 degrees for any game, don't expect a hot streak so early, yet hope the Cubs won't slide into bad habits. The Cubs' starting pitching has turned out a couple quality starts, the rest of the attack will soon follow.

When they can all start hitting around or above .300, combined with the strong pitching and a defense used to the new Wrigley bounces, the sky is the limit for the '08 Cubbies.