The Morning After: Cubs And Sox Continue Winning, Cats And Dogs Living Together
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jul 8, 2010 3:20PM
Cubs Sweep D-Backs
Apparently all the Cubs needed to jump-start the offense was a little time in Arizona where they completed a sweep of the Diamondbacks with last night's 8-3 victory. The Cubs scored 23 runs - 23 - in the three-game series, more than in their previous 10 games combined (22 runs). The Cubs batted around the old-fashioned way, putting men on base and knocking them in, for three runs in the fourth. After Arizona tied it with three of their own, Starlin Castro knocked in two with a single in the fifth and, just for good measure, Aramis Ramirez continued his hot streak with a three-run homer in the ninth. Ryan Dempster only went five innings - another short outing by a Cubs starter - and gave up three runs but got the win as the Cubs bullpen had an unusually strong outing, allowing no runs and just two hits over the final four innings. Winners of four of five, things get tougher for the Cubs as they hit L.A. for a four-game series with the Dodgers (9:10 p.m., WGN).
Sox Down Halos Again
Reeling from the loss of starter Jake Peavy and dealt a lengthy rain delay to start the game, the Sox shook off their troubles and downed the Angels 5-2 for their fourth straight win (and moved to 5-1 in July). Paul Konerko continued to make the All-Star process look dumb (even as a Cubs fan I don't understand how Thornton was picked over Paulie for the team) as he smacked a two-run double to give the Sox an early 2-0 lead. Dayan Viciedo and Brent Lillibridge added to the lead with three runs in the sixth. Freddy Garcia also continued his outstanding year, allowing one unearned run and striking out six for his ninth win of the season and Bobby Jenks picked up his 19th save. The win put the Sox ahead of the Twins for sole possession of second place in the AL Central, one game back of the Tigers. They hope to close the gap and secure a sweep of the Angels when John Danks takes the mound this afternoon (1:05 p.m., CSN).
And speaking of Konerko, you have until 3 p.m. to vote for him as the "Last Man In" to the All-Star squad. He's currently 3rd in voting.