The Morning After
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 10, 2010 3:20PM
True story: there were other Chicago sports teams besides the Blackhawks playing last night.
Cubs Best Brewers
The Cubs found an offensive groove they've been severely lacking as the beat up on the Brewers 9-4. The highlight of the game belonged to Derrek Lee who belted his 300th career home run in the fifth. Not that Lee was the only display of power for the Cubs: Geovanny Soto and Marlon Byrd each hit a pair of dingers to help pace the Cubs' power surge. In his second start since returning to the rotation, Carlos Zambrano pitched five innings and was credited with the win. The Cubs can only hope the surge continues this afternoon (1:10 p.m., WGN).
Sox Slam Tigers
The Cubs weren't alone in their huge offensive output as the Sox rode two seven run innings (the fourth and the eighth) to a 15-3 blow-out victory over Detroit. Alexi Ramirez, Ramon Castro, and Brent Lillibridge all homered for the Sox. Castro led the Sox with four RBI with Omar Vizquel and Lillibridge adding three RBI apiece. Said Ozzie of the offensive explosion: "I think we were just looking for good pitches to hit, and they did it. I think part of the problems of the past, was swinging at bad pitches. We did a good job to try to get [Porcello] around the plate and put good swings on it." But Freddy Garcia put in a great effort on the mound for the Sox, too, throwing seven innings and allowing just three runs, helping to preserve an over-worked bullpen. The two teams square off one more time this afternoon in the series' rubber match (1:05 p.m., CSN).
Fire Draw With Rapids
The Fire seemed on their way to getting a second straight victory last night but a goal in stoppage time pulled the Colorado Rapids even and the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Omar Cummings put the Rapids up 1-0 early, but Marco Pappa would respond with a pair of goals - in the 23rd and in first half stoppage time - to give the Fire a 2-1 edge. The lead held until stoppage time when Conor Casey beat the Fire's Wilman Conde and headed in a cross to pull even. It's a disappointing way for the Fire to head into the World Cup break; their next match is June 27 at New England.