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Cubs gets shutout in Washington and lose to the Nationals 2-0

The Chicago Cubs ended a dissapointing three game series with the Washington Nationals on Sunday with a 2-0 loss.  There were only eight hits in the entire game for both the Cubs and the Nationals, but the Nationals made sure that two of them scored runs.

Ted Lilly didn’t pitch too badly, but did allow two earned runs in his six innings of action.  Lilly gave up four hits and two runs while striking out seven batters.  Lilly dropped to 1-4 on the season with the loss.

Once again, the Cubs left a ton of men on base on the game.  This time it was 18 runners that were left on base as the offense struggled getting some hits.

The Cubs do have an off day on Monday so hopefully they will recoup and get back on track Tuesday when they open up a series against the Milwaukee Brewers.  Another early series with the Brewers where the Cubs can pick up some big divisional wins.

Cubs shutout the Nationals 7-0

The Chicago Cubs back on the winning track just like I figured they would.  The Cubs shutout the Washington Nationals on Saturday night by the score of 7-0.  Carlos Zambrano went deep into the game just like manager Lou Piniella wanted.

Zambrano tossed seven innings while striking out five batters and walking four.  Zambrano lowered his ERA to 2.21 with the seven scoreless innings.  Zambrano is now 4-1 on the season.  A much better start for Big Z then last season.

Michael Wuertz and Jon Leiber pitched the final two innings and pitched very well.

Derrek Lee led the Cubbies at the plate as he went 2-3 with three RBI.  Aramis Ramirez also had two RBI’s that came off a double in the eighth inning.  One player that struggled at the plate was catcher Geovany Soto who struckout five times, and everytime it was against a different Nationals pitcher.  I wonder if Soto gets the day off on Sunday to get a day of rest?

Ted Lilly will try to win the series for the Cubs on Sunday.  Hopefully he will do it and the Cubs will pick up another win.

Cubs lose to the Nationals 5-3

The Chicago Cubs lost their second game in a row as they lost to the Washington Nationals 5-3 on Friday night.  Bob Howry gave up a two run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Nationals went on to win.

Will Nieves took Howry deep to right field when Nieves swung at a ball that was high and outside.  He said he was just trying to move the runner along, but got good wood on the ball and it went over the fence.  Howry’s record dropped to 0-2 on the season.

Ryan Dempster had started the game for the Cubs and pitched seven innings while giving up three runs (two were earned).  Dempster gave up a two run home run to Nick Johnson in the first inning but then settled down the rest of the game.

Ryan Theriot, Aramis Ramirez, and Matt Murton all had RBI for the Cubs.  They stranded 19 base runners as they had plenty of chances to put more runs on the scoreboard, but they just didn’t come up with the big hit when they needed it.

The Cubbies will try to get back on their winning ways Saturday evening when they take on the Nationals once again.  It will be Carlos Zambrano vs Matt Chico.  I think the Cubs come out and win this game without any trouble.  What do you think?

Cubs see their six game win streak end in Denver

The Chicago Cubs six game win streak was stopped today in Denver as the Colorado Rockies beat the Cubs 4-2.  Once again most of the offense happened late in the game but unlike Wednesday night, the Cubs were on the losing side of this one.

The key play in the game was in the eigth inning when Ronny Cedeno and Ryan Theriot tried to turn a double play that would have ended the inning.  Cedeno’s throw was a little bit off the bag and Theriot was unable to hold onto the ball.

Jason Marquis pitched seven innings for the Cubs today.  Two runs were charged to Marquis, and he allowed eight hits in the game.  Kevin Hart pitched in relief and took the loss as he gave up two runs.

The Cubs will now travel to Washington to take on the Nationals.  I think they will take two of three or possibly sweep this weekend.  What does everyone else think on the Nationals series?