Result: Rays 8, Cubs 3. The Cubs continue to lead the NL Central by 3.5 games with a MLB-best record of 45-28. St. Louis was swept by Kansas City, 4-1 on Thursday.
What happened: Cubs relievers gave up seven runs in the Tampa 7th after the Cubs had scored three times to take a 3-1 lead.
The game turned when Carlos Marmol failed to retire any of the four batters he faced in the 7th. Marmol walked two and hit two batters to make it 3-2. Scott Eyre came in and immediately allowed a grand slam to Carl Crawford. Four of the five batters Eyre faced hit for extra bases.
Concerns: Marmol's lack of control. Even in recent quality appearances, Marmol has had trouble finding the strike zone. He was the most dominant reliever in MLB the first two months of the season, but perhaps is showing signs of overwork. The strain on the team of losing two of their key parts could also be showing, which is problematic coming into a tense weekend series on short rest with its rival.
Silver lining: Another strong outing from Sean Gallagher. The rookie allowed four hits and one unearned run in six innings, lowering his ERA below 4.
Up next: Cubs-White Sox in the crosstown clash at Wrigley today at 1:20. The Cubs appear to be reeling a bit without Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano and after being swept by the Rays. The Sox come in fresh off a sweep of Pittsburgh, and no doubt inspired as always for being the red-headed stepchild of Chicago baseball.
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