Cubs return to form, defeat Astros 6-3

The Cubs got off to a fast start tonight versus the Astros. Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley had first inning hits, Geovany Soto followed with a walk and Reed Johnson knocked them all in with his first extra-base hit of the season, a triple to left-center. Johnson would score soon as well on a passed ball, one of two by Ivan Rodriguez, who looks washed up behind the plate. The game was basically over from here on. Aramis Ramirez looked good at the plate tonight going 2-4, HR, BB. Aaron Miles and Micah Hoffpauir each had a double, with Miles finally crossing the Mendoza Line. Tonight was a solid, balanced effort from our offense, with the exception of Soto, who seems to be lost at the plate. He was 0-3, although he did draw a walk and score in the first inning, he is currently hitting a dismal .159.

Cubs starter Rich Harden came up big tonight, as I expected him to: 7+IP, 3ER, 8H, 4Ks. These numbers are misleading however, since Lou Piniella brought Harden back out to start the 8th inning (he had only given up one run through 7 innings). This was not a good move since he allowed the lead-off man to reach base and then gave up a HR to Lance Berkman. I was watching the game with my roomate and we both agreed that this move made no sense, Harden even batted for himself in the top of the 8th, and he is not a great hitter (although he did have one tonight and is hitting .250). I just don't understand why Lou left him out there, maybe he was testing Harden to see how deep he could go into a game? Maybe it was only because Harden finished with 99 pitches and Lou thought he could handle one more inning? Nevertheless, he should have been taken down for a pinch-hitter in the 8th, and allowed to leave the game after seven strong innings, especially since we had a rested bullpen. But overall, I was very happy with Harden's performance. Carlos Marmol came on in relief and stranded the one runner he inherited. He appeared to look like his old self. Kevin Gregg pitched a 1,2,3 9th inning to get his 5th save of the season, he looked like the pitcher we all expected him to be when the season started.

Also, the Cubs sent pitcher Jeff Samardzija down to AAA Iowa today and called up RP Chad Fox. Fox is a solid veteran who when healthy has always been a reliable set-up man, which is something the team can always use. I am not sure however if he is capable of throwing more than one inning per appearance. Fox's career has been marred in recent years by serious arm injuries. As for Samardzija he will return to the role of a starting pitcher at Iowa. This is something I agree with, he wants to be a starter, let him start! In AAA. Hopefully he can figure out what was wrong, who knows, maybe he could be starting for the Cubs soon as a replacement to Carlos Zambrano, while he is hurt? Although I think that is unlikely.

Jackass Call of the Day : (In my opinion) Lou Piniella bringing Harden out to pitch the 8th inning. He allowed the same thing to happen yesterday with Sean Marshall, which led to us falling way out of that game. Why would Lou allow the Astros to get back in the game tonight? Especially with Harden who has a history of shoulder trouble, I just do not understand what Lou was trying to do here.