Results: The Cubs split the final two games with the Reds, seeing their bats go near-silent. The Reds won 2-1 on Wednesday, while the Cubs recovered to take the finale 3-2 on Thursday. The Cubs' lead over Milwaukee in the NL Central is now 5.5 games. St. Louis is 8 back.
What happened: Wednesday -- the Cubs wasted an outstanding pitching performance by Ted Lilly. They couldn't solve the typically hittable Bronson Arroyo, managing just three hits. Lilly allowed only two hits in seven innings, but they both led to runs. Alfonso Soriano appeared to loaf on a pop-fly double to left by Edward Encarnacion, which led to the eventual winning run. You have to take the bad with the good with Soriano. The Cubs grounded into inning-ending double plays with runners in scoring position in both the fourth and fifth innings. Thursday -- Carlos Zambrano returned to form on the mound, and stayed true to form at the plate. Big Z (13-5) gave up just one run on six hits in seven innings of work, and his fourth home run of the year proved to be the winning margin. The Cubs managed just six hits and failed to tally after scoring once in each of the first three innings. Kerry Wood struck out two in a perfect ninth inning for his 26th save.
Concerns: The offense seems to have suddenly gone into a slump particulary Derrek Lee, whose power outage should be bothersome. Lee has only four home runs since the end of May, and his hit few extra-base hits in recent weeks. Would Lou Piniella dare shake up the lineup if he continues to hit for little power?
Up next: Nationals-Cubs today at 1:20 at Wrigley Field. John Lannan starts against Jason Marquis. I'm going to be honest here: the Nats are terrible, and anything less than a Cubs sweep will be a disappointment.
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