Cubs Win rain shortened game to end 8 game losing streak

The Cubs finally won a game! Last night the Cubs bats were hot, Sean Marshall was effective, and we got a little help from mother nature. Marshall was having one of his better outings before the umpires stopped the game in the top of the 6th due to rain: 5IP, ER, 4H, 6K. Marshall did walk two men in the 4th, but was able to escape, only allowing one run to score. This was a big win for Marshall and his confidence.

The Cubs offense was at it again scoring 6 runs, after scoring 8 on Monday night. Fukudome got things started with a solo-HR to right in the first inning. In the second inning, Marshall even helped his own cause with an RBI single. Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Theriot, and Fukudome (the top three hitters in our line-up) each had at one hit and scored runs. As the top of the order goes, the Cubs go! Micah Hoffpauir got out of his "slump" going 2 for 3, 2B 2RBIs, he hit the ball hard twice, which is encouraging. For the record: I was never worried about Hoffpauir. All hitters have little slumps once in awhile. He even said after the game that he just made a few adjustments, like all professionals do. Maybe this will shut up all of the Anti-Hoff, Derrek Lee backers out there. Mike Fontenot also had a big game going 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. The Cubs' bats might just have gotten back on track, over the last two games, everyone has been hitting.

In other news: I love Ted Lilly. Apparently he was tossed for arguing the strike zone during Monday night's game. This guy is great! Who gets tossed from a game they are not even playing in? Hopefully he does not get suspended. My Dad texted me this morning, telling me the Cubs have called up slugger Jake Fox (you heard it hear first!) from AAA Iowa. The Cubs have sent down Neal Cotts and a player to be named. They also called up LHP Jason Waddell and somebody named Blanco? Aaron Miles has been placed on the 15-Day DL. If this is true, I would expect to see Fox in the line-up somewhere, today. Lou Piniella loves getting new guys into the action right away. Also, the Cubs are facing a left-handed pitcher today, Zach Duke, Fox I would assume crushes lefties. Starting for the Cubs today is Carlos Zambrano, who looks to bounce back after a sub-par start last week.

Furthermore, weather permitting, I will be attending this afternoon's game. I was lucky enough to stumble into a free ticket.