Results: The Cubs avoided dropping three straight to Florida with a stirring comeback victory on Sunday. Meanwhile, Milwaukee dropped 2 of 3 to Houston, and St. Louis did the same to the Mets. The Cubs lead the Brewers by one game and St. Louis by 4.
What happened: At one point on Sunday, Florida led 5-0 and Milwaukee led the Astros 4-1, making it seem likely the Brewers would head into their 4-game set with the Cubs starting tonight with a 1-game lead. The Cubs rallied behind a 3-run Alfonso Soriano homer, and Mike Fontenot provided the winning margin with a pinch-hit, 3-run double in the 7th. That helped erase the memory of another poor start by Jason Marquis. Jeff Samardzija pitched two innings for his first save, and looks like he could be the answer to the Cubs' sudden bullpen woes. The Cubs were helped by a huge Houston rally to knock off Milwaukee, reversing the trend and giving the Cubs a one-game lead.
All this came after gut-wrenching one-run losses on Friday and Saturday, both of which could have easily been wins. The Cubs' pitching was good enough both days, but the offense just could not come through with the big hit in late-inning situations.
Concerns: Can the Cubs regain their hitting stroke and finally find some consistent success on the road, against the hottest team in the NL, no less? Not to make too much of a series in July, but this four-game set could really set the tone for the rest of the season. I am much more concerned about the Brewers' sudden surge than with the Cubs going into a nosedive.
Up next: Cubs-Brewers from Miller Park at 7 tonight. Ted Lilly vs. the unbeaten-in-the-NL C.C. Sabathia. Hopefully lots of Cubs fans will have bought up tickets.
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