It was a back and forth slug fest between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. The Cubs used a big seven run eighth inning to come from behind and beat the Pirates by the score of 14-9 and will now be going for the three game sweep Wednesday afternoon.

Geovany Soto had the best night of his career at the plate as he finished the game with seven rbi’s. Soto was the man as he came to the plate twice with the bases loaded and both time hit doubles that scored three runs. His last double that scored three runs was about 5 ft from being a home-run as he hit the scoreboard about half way  up in right-center field. Hit other rbi on the night did come on a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Derrek Lee picked up a couple of rbi in the game even though he continues to struggle at the plate. Lee had a rbi groundout and then walked with the bases loaded. When was the last time Lee hit the ball hard into the gap instead of rolling over and grounding out to shortstop or striking out?

Aramis Ramirez, Reed Johnson, Mark DeRosa, Mike Fontenot, and Carlos Zambrano all had rbi in the game as well. Zambrano extended his hitting streak and rbi streak in the game. It was Zambrano’s 13th straight game with a hit and his eighth straight game with an rbi.

Big Z wasn’t his usual self on the mound however. He gave up eight hits and six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings and got a no decision in the game. Once again Zambrano had problems with the free passes as he gave up four walks. You could tell it was going to be a long night for Z after the first inning and his pitch count was already high.

Sean Marshall who pitched the seventh inning ended up getting the victory in relief and is now 3-3 on the season. Kerry Wood pitched the ninth inning and gave up three hits and a run. Wood was clearly going in there with a big lead and just making the Pirates put the ball in play and that is exactly what they did.

It will be a short turnaround for the teams as they play an early game in Pittsbugh on Wednesday. Jason Marquis will go to the mound for the Cubs as they look for the three game sweep.

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