Games 17, 18



9-9

Let's Play Two...

Game 1 -- Matt Garza vs. Dustin Mosley

Both pitchers would look strong over six innings with Garza having the edge in strike outs (with nine to Mosley's four).

Garza and Mosley would both leave after six innings with the Cubs up 1-0. Garza looked like he was on his way to his first win as a Cub. But, Carlos Marmol gave up walk to Cameron Maybin who would proceed to score the tying run on a bunt single, all in the ninth.  The Cubs would notch the winning run on a Reed Johnson 11th inning walk off home run.

Garza, who's 0-2 on the season, lowered his ERA to 6.27 and added to his strikeout total which now sits at 25 through his first four starts.  But, he also allowed a season low for hits with just six.

Cubs batters fared no better against Padres starter Mosley (6innings, 5 hits, one walk, six strikeouts). Even the hot hand of Starlin Castro was cooled off by Padres pitching. Castro would go 0-5 and see his batting average drop below the .400 mark (.382)

Marmol got a blown save for the Cubs, Jeff Samardzija got the win (1-0). Luke Gregerson would give up the winning home run and take the game one lose to fall to 0-1

Game 2 -- James Russell vs. Aaron Harang

James Russell would make his second start of the season and last slightly longer this time than his last outing. Granted that wasn't hard when he didn't get out of the second inning in his last start.

This time around Russell would make it a four inning outing giving up seven hits and four runs on three home runs. According to his stat line over at CBSsports,  "Russell has now lost both of his starts this season. He has allowed 14 hits and nine runs (eight earned) in 5 2/3 innings during those starts. There was a reason why Russell was better suited to pitch out of the bullpen and didn't win a rotation spot this spring"

The Cubs would try to come back before falling 4-5 and splitting the double header with the Padres. A bright spot in the second game was another good day at the plate for Left Fielder, Alfonso Soriano who went 2-4 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI's and a home run in the losing effort. Reed Johnson would also have good second game against the Padres, going 3-4 with an RBI.

Padres outfielders combined to go 8-15 with five runs scored, 4 RBI's and all three of the Padre's home runs. With Chris Denorfia and Ryan Ludwick gathering three hits each. Starter Aaron Harang would pitch six innings and get the win, his fourth of the season. Heath Bell would work the ninth for his fifth save.

With the spilt of the double header, combined with a lose by Cincinnati, Milwaukee and a win by St. Louis there is a four way tie atop the NL Central with all four teams at 9-9.

The Cubs have Thursday off before starting a weekend series with the Dodgers, who just got a complete game win from Jon Garland in a win over the Braves.