What happened: The bullpen was stellar in both games, combining to go 7 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing only four hits.
Game 1: The Cubs scored a pair of runs in each of the second and third innings, then blew the game open with a three-run fifth. Geovany Soto went 3 for 3 with 4 RBIs, and Jim Edmonds added to his Cubs legend by clubbing his 16th homer, while also scoring and driving in three. Jason Marquis pitched into the sixth for the win, and Jeff Samardzija added two scoreless innings of relief. Alfonso Soriano admired his blast to left, trouble was it failed to leave the park and he got only a single out of it. He was chided by Lou Piniella and ultimately apologized to teammates. That wasn't good enough for Atlanta, whose Francisley Bueno threw a pitch behind Fonzie's head.
Game 2: A four-run first was all that was needed for Rich Harden and the Cubs' relievers. Aramis Ramirez drove in the Cubs' first run, and Derrek Lee scored to make it 2-0 with a nifty slide around the catcher's tag at home. Kosuke Fukudome blooped a two-run single down the left field line. Fukudome had two hits in the game and a couple other solid at-bats. Maybe he is showing signs of breaking out of this extended slump. If not, we will see more Reed Johnson and Mark DeRosa in the outfield. The Cubs never hit the ball particularly hard in the nightcap, just in the right places. Harden gave up just two hits, but got in trouble and saw his pitch count soar because of five walks. As a result, he was lifted after five shutout innings. Chad Gaudin, Neal Cotts, Kerry Wood and Sean Marshall combined to finish it off.
Up next: Cubs at Braves, tonight at 6:05. The Cubs go for the series sweep with Ted Lilly on the mound against a returning-from-injury Tom Glavine. The Cubs will go for their eighth straight win on the road.
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