Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in Miscellaneous on Aug 27, 2008 2:50PM

Cubs Rally Past Pirates
In a score more appropriate for a Bears-Steelers defensive struggle, the Cubs outlasted the PIrates 14-9 in a game where effective pitching was nowhere to be found. Geovany Soto was the definite MVP of the game, knocking in seven runs and scoring three. Alfonso Soriano went three-for-six and scored twice. Carols "The Molar" Zambrano struggled in the first inning, giving up three runs. Overall, he gave up six runs in four and 1/3 innings and was followed by six pitchers out of the bullpen: Samardzjia, Cotts, Gaudin, Marshall (who earned the win), Marmol, and Wood. It might have been ugly, but a win is a win and enables the Cubs to maintain their five game lead over the Brewers while stretching their lead over the Cards to nine and a half games. And from the Tao of Lou: "It wasn't one of our better games. You'd rather win like that than play a great game and lose it."

Sox Slam O's
Gavin Floyd allowed only two runs over eight innings of work to lead the White Sox to another road victory over the Orioles, 8-3, and extended the Sox lead over the Twins to two games. Nick Swisher started things off with a two-run homer in the first and Orlando Cabrera had a big night at the plate, going four-for-five while knocking two runs and scoring three. Carlos Quentin doubled-home Cabrera, helping him cross the 100 RBI threshold. Said Ozzie of Quentin's outstanding year:

"I always say, 'Work hard, it pays off,' and this kid is a workaholic....He never takes anything for granted. Hopefully, there are more years to come with 100 RBIs and his teammates have a lot to do with that, and I think this kid is outstanding...Not because he has the kind of year he's had. If you have this kid, day in and day out, you see how he prepares and gets ready. You don't see too many [young] guys grab this game the way he does. Some kids go out there and are ready to be in the big leagues and try to enjoy it. He wants to be good."