It seems like I’m starting off every blog post these days with something negative about the offense. The hitters are just not knocking in runners that are in scoring position and simply are not doing the job they are being paid to do. It all happened once again on Wednesday as the Cubs and White Sox kicked off a rain shortened series at Wrigley Field and the Cubs lost 4-1.

Against White Sox starting pitcher John Danks and two relievers, the Cubs managed just five hits and one run. They had chances to score some runs however with runners in scoring position, they just couldn’t come up with the big hit or get a ball to drop for a base hit. The one run the team did came in the eighth inning when Alfonso Soriano scored Aaron Miles on a RBI ground out. MIles started the inning off with a double off of Danks to get things going.

The eighth inning would have been more interesting and productive however White Sox center fielder Brian Anderson leapedin front of the ivy-covered wall to catch pinch-hitter Jake Fox’s long drive. Fox just about came up with that big hit that the team needed but it didn’t go his way this at bat.

Ryan Dempster got the start for the Cubs and didn’t look good from the start. Dempster allowed a solo home run that reached the basket in left field to Alexei Ramirez in the first inning and things really didn’t get better from there. Dempster walked six batters and was charged with three runs in the game. Angel Guzman was charged with a run in the eighth inning when A.J. Pierzynski hit a sacrafice fly to plate Dewayne Wise.

The Cubs have lost five of six. And over the last 26 games, they have scored one run or less 10 times, going 9-17 in that time. Lou Piniella said he is about going to be forced to make some changes in the lineup to get guys in there that can do some hitting. My first thought is getting Jake Fox some starts in right field.

The cross town rivals will meet up once again on Thursday afternoon on the Northside. Carlos Zambrano will take the mound for the Cubs against Gavin Floyd and the White Sox. I like the Cubs chances in this game as they split the rain shortened series. I hope I’m right.

- Cliff