The Cubs came out swinging on Wednesday night as they scored eight runs in the first two innings and knocked out Astros starting pitcher Brian Moehler after just 1.2 innings. Five of the first six batters reached via singles in the first inning when the team scored four runs. Milton Bradley was the only one not to get a hit but he reached base via a walk. It was a great way to start off the game and eventually the Cubs would win 11-6.

It was a pretty good offensive night for the Cubs up and down the lineup. Mike Fontenot and Aramis Ramirez both finished the night with four RBI while Kosuke Fukudome had four hits and a solo home run. Fontenot had a big three run homer in the second inning that gave the Cubs an eight run lead at the time.

Derrek Lee and Ryan Theriot also had an RBI each in the game.

I guess you could say the one downside of the game was the pitching staff. Starting pitcher Ted Lilly gave up four home runs and eight hits. Lilly did throw five innings to pick up the victory but he sure got lucky that the Astros didn’t have more runners on base when he gave up the home runs. Lilly did do his job and that was to throw strikes so I’m not really worried about the start. When you are spotted a big lead like he had, his job is to get outs and not worry about giving up the long ball or letting a couple of runs score. Make them put the ball in play, just hope it doesn’t go over the fence lol!

David Patton made his big league debut and was welcome to the Major Leagues by Hunter Pence who took him deep for a home run. After the home run Patton was able to settle down and and get the next three batters out.

Carlos Marmol and Angel Guzman finish up the final two innings as they held off any rally by the Astros.

It was a good series for the Cubs as they nearly swept the Astros on the road. I’ll take two out of three every road trip that’s for sure! The team will have an off day on Thursday and then begin a three game set with the rivals up North in Milwaukee.

**Photo via AP/Pat Sullivan**

Well the Cubs aren’t going to go undefeated in 2009 as they lost the second game of the season on Tuesday night to the Houston Astros. Neal Cotts gave up back to back singles to open the 10th inning and then Kevin Gregg was called upon to get the Cubs out of the inning but that isn’t how things turned out. Gregg was able to get Jason Michaels out on a fly ball to center but both runners tagged up. First base was open and the Cubs elected to intentionally walk Miguel Tejada which brought Jeff Keppinger to the plate. Keppinger ended the game when he singled to left field and Ivan Rodriguez scored.

The Cubs just didn’t have the offense going as they struggled early on against Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez. As a team they only had six hits in the game. Ryan Theriot led the team with two hits while Alfonso Soriano had a solo home run. Soriano’s shot to left field in the 8th inning tied the game up at 2-2. Derrek Lee had the other rbi for the Cubs when he singled in Theriot in the 3rd inning.

I thought starting pitcher Ryan Dempster threw the ball good for his first outing of the season. He went six innings while only giving up six hits and two runs. He did walk three batters however and struck out five.

Angel Guzman did a great job in the seventh inning as he didn’t allow a hit. The only base runner for the Astros in the 7th inning was Kaz Matsui who reached on an error by Theriot. Koyie Hill picked Theriot up when he gunned down Matsui who attempted to steal second base however.

Hill was in the game because Geovany Soto left the game in the sixth inning with soreness in his right shoulder. Soto said that he should be back in a few days as he just needs to keep up on his exercises which help out his shoulder.

The Cubs and Astros will finish up the three game series Wednesday night. It will be Ted Lilly on the mound for the Cubs and Brian Moehler for the Astros.

Photo via AP/Pat Sullivan

Carlos Zambrano picked up his first career opening day win as he pitched six innings and the Cubs beat the Houston Astros 4-2. What a way to start off the 2009 season for Zambrano and the Cubs!

Alfonso Soriano started off the game with a solo home run and Aramis Ramirez matched him in the second inning with a solo shot of his own as the Cubs went up 2-0. Ryan Theriot knocked in his cajan connection buddy Mike Fontenot in the fourth inning as the Cubs added to the lead to make it 3-0. Utlity lefty Micah Hoffpauir playing in front of his family knocked in a big run in the ninth inning with a sharp single to right field that plated Fontenot.

Big Zambrano was pretty dominate in his six innings of action as he only allowed five hits and one run. He struck out six batters while walking three. After a lead off walk to start the game, Zambrano settled down and gave the team a great outing.

Aaron Heilman and Neal Cotts were able to get out of the seventh inning with only allowing the run to score that was charged to Zambrano. Both players did a great job before the turned things over to Carlos Marmol in the eighth inning who walked one but did not allow him to score. In the ninth inning, new closer Kevin Gregg ran into some trouble as he allowed one run and and the tieing run at the plate, but he was able to get pitch hitter Jason Smith to ground out to Derrek Lee to end the game.

Overall, I thought it was a good first game for the Cubs. Now they have the jitters out of the way and can settle down as they take on the Astros again tomorrow night. Ryan Dempster will get the start against Wandy Rodriguez as the Cubs try to pick up another win down in Houston.

What were your thoughts on the first game of the season?

**Photo via the AP/Pat Sullivan**

Rule 5 player David Patton and Angel Guzman both received good news on Sunday as they were told that they have earned spots on the opening day 25-man roster. In a surprising move, Chad Gaudin was released after Jim Hendry could not find a taker that would take on his full salary. Instead, the Cubs released him and will be due to pay $1.6 million of his $2 million salary. The other team will be the $400,000 of the contract once someone picks him up.

Jeff Samardzija was also sent down to Triple-A as he had options left. The Shark was the odd man out pretty much because he had options left while Patton and Guzman did not. Samardzija will be stretched out and work in a starting pitching positon for Iowa.

I agree with these moves that Hendry made. Gaudin was absolutely terrible this spring training and really didn’t deserve a spot on the roster. He was never the same player after hurting is back when “falling” into a trashcan late last season. Guzman wasn’t that bad but did start throwing the ball better as spring training went on. Samardzija was optioned to Iowa basically because he had options left and can get more work in there in a starting pitchers role. Patton could be a big player for the Cubs out of the pen if he continues to throw the ball well. The Cubs will have to keep him on the active roster or return him back to the Colorado Rockies if they want him back. Which after seeing him throw this Spring, I’m sure they would take him back in a heartbeat. If that’s the case, it’s too bad we couldn’t also sent back Luis Vizcaino who has pitched like crap.

It will be interesting Monday night when the Cubs open up the 2009 season down in Houston. I’m excited to have the season start but I’m worried about the backend of the rotation and the bullpen. I just need to see the 3-5 starters get some early season wins and see Kevin Gregg save games on back to back days. Once we see those things, I think we will be alright!