Big Win Saturday, Big Loss Sunday

What a weekend Cubs fans! After an exciting 14-9 win on Saturday, the Cubs fall short on Sunday, losing 4-3 to the Reds.

A quick catch up on the weekend highlights…

Saturday: A Great Piece of Hitting the Cubbies

Alfonso Soriano hits three homeruns, including a three-run homer in the sixth inning. Mark DeRosa also hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning. Jason Marquis also contributed to the high scoring game by the Cubs, with a lead-off homerun in the eight inning, his first of the season.

Marquis, who usually keeps his cool, (unlike an ill tempered Carlos Zambrano we all know and love) loaded the bases in the 4th and walked in a run, with a questionable call by umpire Brian Runge. What looked like a clear strike, Marquis walked Chris Dickerson and the Red’s third basemen Edwin Encarnacion scored, the first run of the game for the Reds. Marquis questioned the call and Chris Dickerson hesitated before taking first.

The Cubs defeat the Reds 14-9.

Sunday:

A hard loss on Sunday, Jolbert Cabrera hit a single to left in the ninth, bringing the final score 4-3.

The Cubs had a 2-1 lead in the seventh, following Ronny Cedeno’s double, which allowed Giovanni Soto to score.

Edwin Encarnacion hit a single off of Kerry Wood and walked Jay Bruce. Wood intentionally walked Javier Valentin and Chris Dickerson hit a two-run shot, which bounced off Cedeno’s glove in the ninth, tying the game. The RBI single by Cabrera followed, Reds win. After Saturday’s big win, this game was a tough loss. The Cubs still remain 4 games ahead of the Brewers in the NL Central, who lost to the Padres.

The Cubs next six games will be played on the road. Next game: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Tuesday at 7:15.

Who should the Cubs face in round one of the Playoffs? I'll be posting my insight later this evening.