Round 1: Cubs-Brewers, 7/28/08. Cubs get to Sabathia, beat Brewers

Result: Cubs 6, Brewers 4. Cubs lead the NL Central by 2 games over Milwaukee and 4 games over St. Louis, which beat Atlanta on Monday.

What happened: The Cubs scored early against the previously untouchable C.C. Sabathia, then rallied for two runs in the 9th off closer Salomon Torres for a thrilling victory in a playoff-like atmosphere at Miller Park. Ted Lilly held the Brewers scoreless through the first five innings before running into trouble in the 6th, as J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun hit back-to-back homers. The Cubs regained the lead when Reed Johnson barrel-rolled into Rickie Weeks at second, spoiling a potential double play and allowing two runs to score on Weeks' errant throw. After the Crew tied it in the 7th, Lee delivered the go-ahead run on a double in the 9th. Carlos Marmol was mostly sharp in the bottom half for his fifth save. Chad Gaudin picked up his second win in as many days. Just a thrilling ballgame.

Concerns: Bob Howry continued to be ineffective since the All-Star break, allowing the tying homer to Russ Branyan in the 7th. Carlos Zambrano's stamina after throwing 125 pitches in his last outing has to merit watching.

Up next: Cubs-Brewers tonight at 7. Carlos Zambrano vs. Ben Sheets in a matchup of two all-stars.