Morning Box Score

By Matt Motyka in News on Aug 11, 2009 3:20PM

Rockies Blast Cubs
The Cubs made an improbable comeback bid against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, but fell well short in their eventual 11-5 loss. Trailing 11-1 with three outs to go, Chicago rallied for four runs before their good fortune expired. Otherwise, it was another inefficient day for the boys in blue, who managed a dozen hits but ultimately didn't know what to do with them. As for the Rockies, they shelled Chicago's Tom Gorzelanny. Gorzelanny surrendered six runs in just 1.1 innings, again placing the burden on the Cubs' bullpen. Manager Lou Piniella handed the ball to triple-A success story Esmailin Caridad for long relief, and Caridad responded with five-plus innings and two earned runs. Stats wise, it was another boon day at the plate for the Cubs, as every starter except Alfonso Soriano reached base safely on at least two occasions. Of Chicago's 39 hits in the last three games, Soriano has been responsible for just two. The loss puts the Cubs three back of streaking St. Louis, as the team returns home to host the Phillies starting at 7:05 this evening.

Mariners Navigate Past Sox
The tables turned one too many times for the White Sox on Monday, as they fell to the Seattle Mariners 6-4. Carlos Quentin gave Chicago an ephermeral 4-3 lead in the sixth with his two-run double, but Colorado lashed back with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take the cake. Gavin Floyd allowed five Rockies to scoring in his 5.2 innings on the mound, and Tony Pena was responsible for the sixth Colorado run. Quentin, who has been heating up as of late, recorded two extra baggers to lead the Sox's offensive efforts. Backup backstop Ramon Castro produced the other pair of Chicago runs with a double of his own in the fifth. The Sox's rough start in Seattle was offset by losses from both Detroit and Minnesota, as the South Siders gear up for game two at 9:10 this evening.