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Stubbs snubs Cubs in series loss

W: Logan Ondrusek (3-0)
L: Randy Wells (5-10)

For the first time in 30 years the Cubs were shutout one game after scoring 15 runs, when they beat Milwaukee 15-3 earlier in the week, a feat that most MLB clubs never experience. After an uninspiring offensive showcase yesterday, the Cubs looked to get back on track against the Reds this afternoon at Wrigley.

Randy Wells took the mound for the Cubs, throwing an impressive 7.0IP and giving up 3 earned runs on 5 hits. From the get go Wells was pitching nicely, retiring Cincinnatii in order through the first two innings. In the top of the 3rd Ramon Hernandez would single up the middle to drive in Drew Stubbs and give the Reds a 1-0 lead. Chicago would answer back in their half of the inning when Derrek Lee hit a sacrifice fly to right field to allow Kosuke Fukudome to tag up and score from third.


This game was more of a chess match through the first seven innings with Randy Wells and Edinson Volquez in a pitchers duel. Volquez, making only his fifth start of the season since Tommy John surgery, threw a solid 6.2IP surrendering just one earned run on six hits. His control through the first few innings was questionable, but he settled in and pitched pivotal double play balls to limit the Cubs to just one run against him.

The Reds, who hold winning records in each month of baseball this season, offered timely hitting and scoring to backup their pitchers. In the top of the 8th Drew Stubbs, who has already hit 4 homeruns against the Cubs this season, including a 3 homer game at Wrigley last July, cranked a leadoff homer (14) to give the Reds a 2-1 lead and force Wells out of the game. Cincinnati would increase their lead off of a Paul Janish single that drove in Bronson Arroyo, pitch running for Ramon Hernandez, and giving them a 3-1 lead.

Going into the 8th Chicago looked to creep back into the ballgame when Derrek Lee led off the inning with a walk, but no runner would make it passed 1st base as Ramirez, Berg and Soriano failed to get a hit.

In the 9th Cubs 2nd basemen Blake DeWitt made an error by dropping a shallow outfield popup that would allow Laynce Nix to make it second base. Drew Stubbs would get his third hit and second RBI of the game by singling to left field.

Wilson Cordero came in to pitch the 9th for the Reds, but could only produce one out before being yanked by Dusty Baker. Cordero gave up four walks, including a high fast ball that hit Starlin Castro with the bases loaded. After a pitching change, Derrek Lee would strikeout, but in the following at-bat Aramis Ramirez would draw another walk, the 5th of the inning. With the score now 4-3 and the Cubs scoring two runs without putting a ball in play, Marlon Byrd would strikeout to end the ballgame. Chicago now stands at 13-26 in one-run games, and drops to 47-63 on the season.