The Chicago Cubs offense was stymied by Philadelphia Phillies starter Cole Hammels who pitched seven scoreless innings and held the road team to one hit. Hammels straight change had the Cubs confused to the tune of five strikeouts while issuing a pair of walks and barely breaking a sweat. The Phillies put up a pair of home runs
Ted Lilly started for the Cubs and failed to make it out of the fifth inning for the third time in all three of his starts this year, the result was 4 2/3, innings for the most tasked bullpen in the Major Leagues. Lilly struggles continued to the tune of seven hits and two walks resulting in five runs. Kevin Hart came in from the Cubs’ pen to throw 2 2/3 innings of one hit ball. Hart held the Phillies scoreless to get back on track after a pair of rough outings in Pittsburgh. Bob Howry came in to pitch the eighth with the Cubs trailing 5-1 and gave up a pair of runs on three hits.
The only offensive bright spot was Derrek Lee who managed to reach base twice off of Hammels with a hit and a walk. The Cubs pushed their only run across in the top of the eighth inning. Kosuke Fukudome lead off the inning with a pinch hit walk. Shortstop Ryan Theriot then reached first on a fielder’s choice with Fukudome out at second. Theriot then moved over to second on Mike Fontenot’s ground out to second and scored on Alfonso Soriano’s R.B.I. single to right.
Notes and Numbers
W: Hammels (2-1, 7 innings, 1H, 2 BB, 0 R, 5 K)
L: Lilly (0-2, 4.1 innings, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 R, 3 K)
Most Valuable Cub: Kevin Hart (2.2 innings, 1H, 2 BB, 2 K)
Number of the Day: 5 – Lee hit his fifth double, Soriano had his fifth R.B.I., as a team the Cubs left 5 runners on base and Ted Lilly once again failed to pitch 5 innings giving up 5 runs total.
Lilly threw 86 pitches over his 4.1 innings, and has failed to make it through 5 innings in any of his three starts this year. Lilly has pitched a total of 12.2 innings this year. Fukudome pitch hit for the first time in the Major Leagues, and drew a walk. Howry gave up a pair of runs ending his three game scoreless streak. Howry has given up a run in every appearance this year not against the Pirates. Going into the game the Cubs, whose pitching staff routinely leads the league in strikeouts, had 76 K’s on the year ranking them ninth. The Cubs defensive woes continued as they were guilty of another 2 errors bringing their season total to 12 in as many games. DeRosa’s eight game hit streak came to an end.
The Cubs and Phillies will meet again tomorrow to wrap up their series and the Cubs’ road trip. With the sweep of the Pirates, the Cubs had ensured that they will finish the trip with at least a 3-3 split, with a win tomorrow they will go 4-2. Jason Marquis will meet Jamie Moyer on Sunday with a 12:35 P.M. first pitch on CSN Chicago and TBS; Moyer started his career with the Cubs.
Posted by Kenneth Oda 
