Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Aug 16, 2008 3:00PM

Ward Lifts Cubs Past Fish
Daryl Ward's provided the heroics for the Cubs as his ninth inning three-run home run lifted the Cubs past the Florida Marlins, 6-5. The Cubs also got some help from Mark DeRosa who hit a two-run homer in the fourth. The struggles of Carlos Zambrano continued as he gave up four runs in the third inning, an inning that also saw Z walk three Marlins batters. Z gave up five runs over six innings and also struck out six. Chad Gaudin got the win in relief and Kerry Wood got his 25th save of the season. It was the ninth straight road win for the Cubs, who are now at .500 for the year on the road. On Zambrano's struggles, Lou Piniella said, "We need to get him going the way he can pitch. You need your ace to win some baseball games." Sean Marshall takes the hill tonight for the Cubs against the Marlin's Anibal Sanchez.

Cust, A's Power Past Sox
Oakland right fielder Jack Cust haunted White Sox pitching last night, blasting two home runs en route to a 6-4 A's victory over the White Sox, who are now a paltry 6-28 at Oakland since 2001. The Sox jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the first inning, including a solo AJ Pierzynski home run. It all unraveled in the sixth when Jack Cust hit a two-run home run and hit a solo shot in the eighth that, coupled with a Mark Ellis solo shot, tied the game at four. Carlos Quentin hit a solo home run in the eighth for the Sox, but it wasn't enough as Kurt Suzuki finished off the Sox with a walk-off two-run home run off of reliever D.J. Carrasco for the victory. Starter Gavin Floyd pitched well for the Sox, going five and 2/3 innings and giving up only the Cust home run, but, once again, the bullpen gave the game away. Reliever Horacio Ramirez was credited with the loss. The loss also dropped the Sox into a first place tie with the Minnesota Twins. John Danks takes the mound this afternoon for the Pale Hose against the A's Greg Smith.