The home run floodgates have opened
Soriano started something yesterday when he ended the Cubs home run drought of two weeks. Pagan, Lee and even Theriot got in on the action today to help the Cubs sweep the Astros out of Wrigley. This was the fifth sweep of the year for the Cubs.
Although those homers did help dig pitcher Jason Marquis out of a hole he’d dug by giving up five runs in the first two innings, it was really the bullpen who saved the day. Five pitchers out of the pen kept the Astros scoreless for five innings, scattering three hits and three walks. With some great defensive plays also made, this was a total team victory.
The Cubs are now four games over .500 for the first time this season. The Friendly Confines is finally living up to its name, with the Cubs now winning the close ones at home.
Next up, we welcome Bonds and the rest of the Giants to town. Unless he goes on a tear, it doesn’t look likely that he’ll tie or break Aaron’s home run record at Wrigley. Bonds needs four to tie the record, but he does tend to hit them in bunches, so anything is possible.