Cubs-Giants, Tuesday 7/1/08. Cain able to slay Cubs

Result: Giants 2, Cubs 1. Cubs fall to 50-34, still 2.5 games ahead of St. Louis in the NL Central. The Mets topped the Cards, 7-4 on Monday.

What happened: Matt Cain hurled 8 shutout innings, and Brian Wilson struck out Ryan Theriot with the tying and go-ahead runs on base to end the game. Cain struck out 10 and allowed just two hits. Fred Lewis' took home on the back end of a double steal, and Randy Winn singled home the Giants' second tally.

The game was not over until the last out. Obviously, that's true in all games, but this tightly played contest came down to the last pitch. Derrek Lee led off the ninth with a triple and scored on Geovany Soto's single. With two outs, Mike Fontenot reached on an infield hit. Theriot fought off numerous pitches from Wilson before finally whiffing on some high heat.

Lost in the mix was Jason Marquis' strong outing. He gets blasted here often, so it's only right to point out when he succeeds. Seven innings, four hits, two runs and just three walks is the line.

Up Next: Cubs vs. Giants tonight at 9:15. Ryan Dempster vs. Kevin Correia should give the Cubs a substantial edge, but remember, Dempster is a different animal away from home. Cubs need to win, especially considering that Sports Illustrated cover boy Tim Lincecum awaits them on Thursday. Tonight's game should be the last for the Cubs without Aramis Ramirez, who was back in the D.R. taking care of some undisclosed family matters.