Game Two

CHICAGO -- Ted Lilly took the mound for the first time this season against the Milwaukee Brewers and gave up a home run to his first batter. He consequently took the loss as well with no offense to support him. After going 4 2/3 innings, Lilly struck out 4, gave up 4 runs on 5 hits including a homer by Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks.

"Obviously, that's not the way you want to get the game going," Lilly said. "It was just a matter of not being able to locate the other pitches well. As a starting pitcher, it's up to me to get the momentum going and set the tone of the game early."

Cubs' second-year manager Lou Piniella agreed, remarking that Lilly's fastball was missing and crediting the Brewers as a good hitting team.

Lilly's counterpart, Jeff Suppan, also started his first game on the mound and earned the win. Suppan gave up 6 hits and 2 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

The Cubs offense was improved from Monday's season-opener, going 8-33 rather than 5-34 on Monday. The two runs came from solo homers by Derrek Lee in the 4th inning and Geovany Soto in the 7th.

OPINION

The Cubs better get used to the weather quickly, the temperature gametime on Monday was 44 degrees while Tuesday was 41 degrees. If the Cubs cannot acclimate to the cold and drizzly Aprils in Chicago, they will probably lead to a mediocre home record as they have in the past. It's either that, or the Cubs' offense could stumble through April and lag behind in the weak NL Central. Isn't this supposed to be the year?