Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Sep 1, 2009 3:00PM

'Stros Stop Cubs
Rich Harden, fresh off of not being traded, had issues on the mound as Houston topped the Cubs 5-3. Harden struck out nine over five innings but also walked six and gave up five runs, a deficit the Cubs were unable to overcome, in spite of two runs in the fifth and a solo D-Lee homer in the eight. But don't tell Harden the issue was over this weekend's waiver claim. Said Harden after the game, "You can't just ignore [the rumors], but the whole thing was ridiculous and had nothing to do with my performance today. I won't make excuses. I still knew I was starting on Monday and I had to prepare myself, and I got prepared and I just didn't get it done." Houston and the Cubs do it again tonight at 7:05 (WGN).

Sox Skid Continues In Minnesota
The Sox - who actually did manage to trade a few players - saw their road troubles continue as they fell to the Twins 4-1. Minnesota got three runs early and the Sox offense was never able to get anything going, managing just a single run in the sixth courtesy of Pierzynski. Gavin Floyd wasn't Contreras-awful, but gave up three runs and nine hits over six innings for the Sox. With the loss, the Sox now sit six games back of first-place Detroit. The Sox hope to end their Minneapolis woes - losers of 15 of their last 17 in the HHH Metrodome - tonight at 7:10 (CSN).