Cubs rally late to seal 8-4 win

Winning four in a row the Cubs look to close out the month with a bang. Another comeback was in order last night as the Rockies managed to slip ahead taking a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the 7th. From there the Cubs struck for 2 runs off a throwing error and a sacrifice fly by Geovany Soto. They tacked on 3 insurance runs in the 8th as Hoffupair drove in a run as a pinch hitter then Soriano rifled a 2-run single up the middle. Earlier in the game Derek Lee socked his 13th homerun. A level of consistency at the plate is finally surfacing with the whole lineup making good contributions. The top of the order is getting on base often and Soriano is finding himself in several RBI spots.

The last 7 games the Cubs lead-off man has batted .323 with 10 hits and 5 RBIs. Plus his current slugging percentage is .543. With his energized bat and the bullpen's fine work the Cubs push for a serious run with the approaching Interleague series. Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood pitched scoreless innings in Thursday's night win combining for 5 strikeouts. Both have thrown some nasty pitches! I also think the fact the Cubs have Neal Cotts back on the roster. They needed another good lefty in relief. Wuertz recorded the win going to 1-1 on the season after Marquis departed in the 6th inning.

Carrying the streak over into the road series before heading into Interleague Play could put some distance between them and the rest of the NL Central. To make the lineup more potent Lou is considering moving Kosuke Fukudome back to center in assert Hoffupauir into the lineup as he'd play in right field. I'm all for having another left-handed bat in the lineup (except Edmonds). Yet with Daryl Ward still out the Cubs can use another guy off the bench. Felix Pie should be called up from Iowa and rotate starts in the outfield with Johnson and Houfpauir. His speed on the base paths will be a big added bonus for the Cubs. Ted Lilly ( 5-4) aims to help extend the streak today facing Aaron Cook (7-3) in Game 2 at Wrigley.