Morning Box Score

By Matt Motyka in News on Aug 26, 2009 3:00PM

Nats Knock Cubs
It was a rough night in Wrigleyville on Tuesday, as the Cubs fell to the league-worst Washington Nationals, 15-6. Carlos Zambrano provided an offensive spark with a solo homer in the third inning, but did not find the same success on the mound, surrendering eight earned runs in 4.1 frames. In the fifth, Zambrano walked two consecutive batters to load the bases and push home a run before getting the hook, and substitute Aaron Heilman promptly gave up the grand slam to double the Cubs' four-run deficit. Chicago responded with some late-inning power, scoring two on a ball off the wall by Geovany Soto and receiving a pair of solo shots from Jeff Baker and Milton Bradley, but they could not keep step with Washington, who posted three more in both the seventh and eighth. Bradley went 4-for-4 in the losing effort, halting a 1-for-19 slump at the plate. The Cubs will attempt to do better when they take the field at 7:05 tonight.

BoSox Trump ChiSox
The White Sox let one get away in the late goings, losing to the Boston Red Sox 6-3. Trailing 2-1 after six solid innings from Freddy Garcia, Chicago scored two in the seventh thanks to an almost inning-ending strike three that got past Jason Varitek. Paul Konerko came home on the play and the next batter, Jayson Nix, got a base knock to score Jermaine Dye, giving the Good Guys a 3-2 advantage. The lead would not hold for long, though, as Boston tied it in the bottom half of the inning and then rallied for three runs off Scott Linebrink and Randy Williams in the eighth. Garcia's line included five hits, three earned runs and a walk over 6.1 innings, leaving him a no-decision in his second start of the season. The White Sox will start working towards a series split when they step in at 6:10 this evening.