Cubs end the losing, Fukudome and Harden lead the way to victory over the Cards

Yesterday, the Cubs finally ended their 4-game losing streak. Just like I said needed to happen, Rich Harden came up with a big start. Harden gave us his typical start: 6IP, 4H, 2ER, 9Ks and it was just what the doctor ordered. This was the kind of outing he consistently gave us last season and it could not have come at a better time this season. Harden is among the early league leaders in strikeouts this season.

Even the offense decided to finally show up! Yesterday I wrote that vets like Alfonso Soriano and Derrek Lee needed to step it up, and they did. Soriano was 2-4 with a 2B, he sparked a big first inning for the Cubs, in which we would score three runs. He later was beaned in the head by an errant Todd Wellemeyer pitch, but remained in the game due to our short bench. Hopefully this beaning has no ill-effects on Soriano (like Sammy Sosa in 2003). Lee had only one at-bat, but it was a good one. He lined a double off the wall in left field to drive in a run in the first inning. This was the hardest ball I have seen him hit this season. Unfortunately he had to leave the game after this with a soar neck, Lee says he has a "bulging disc" and slept funny on it the night before, he is day-to-day. My boy, Micah Hoffpauir did a good job in place of Lee, going 2-3 with a solo-HR and 2 RBIs, raising his AVG to .360. With Hoffpauir hitting this well, I still am not sure how Lou Piniella can justify not playing him more often at first base? This kind of production is exactly what this team needs out of its first-baseman. Hopefully Piniella realizes that this guy deserves to start. And how could I forget about the birthday-boy, Fukudome! He went 3-4: 3-R HR, 5RBIs, BB. Piniella had him batting in the 3-spot and he gave us a great game, maybe this is where he should be in the order all the time. I know its early, but Fukudome is hitting .371 and leads the team with 15 RBIs. He is a true professional and is carrying us when we need it the most.

Even the bullpen was decent, albeit they had huge lead. Neal Cotts continues to suck, going 0.2 IP, H, ER, BB. Aaron Heilman was very impressive getting out of Cotts' jam in the 7th and then followed with a scoreless 8th, he has a solid 0.82 ERA, and seems to be the "New Bob Howry" (and I'm referring to the 2006-07 Bob Howry). Kevin Gregg gave up two hits to start the 9th, but worked out of his own jam, and had impressive stuff.

Also, Carlos Marmol is set to throw a bullpen session this afternoon, in order to test his knee. If he ok, he could be back in the bullpen right in a day or two, if not, he could face arthroscopic surgery, and be placed on the DL, which would suck. And while I'm discussing the DL, they should put Milton Bradley on it, retroactive to when he hurt his groin.