Category: MLB (Page 343 of 448)

– With their 5-1 victory over the Reds, the Cubs appear to be back on track. Ace Carlos Zambrano gave up just one run on one hit over eight innings of work, striking out five in the process. Chicago has now won three in a row.

– The Cubs’ cross town rivals the White Sox are also steamrolling along. The Chi Sox picked up their fourth straight victory on Wednesday, topping the Royals 7-6. Carlos Quentin homered twice while driving in four RBI and scoring three runs. Chicago now has a 3.5 game lead over the Twins in the AL Central.

– Speaking of the Twins, the Red Sox gave them the beating of a lifetime at Fenway. Boston finished with 23 hits in an 18-5 romp as Josh Beckett won his ninth game of the year. You know things are going your way when your backup catcher (Kevin Cash), who’s hitting .241 on the season by the way, hits his first two dingers of the year in the same game.

– The Indians continue to freefall, dropping their 10th straight in an 8-6 loss to Detroit. The Tribe jumped out to a 6-0 lead over six innings, but the Tigers chipped away and in the bottom of the ninth, Miguel Cabrera hit a walk off home run off reliever Jensen Lewis.

– The Mets shutout the Giants for the second straight night, as Johan Santana finally picked up another win in New York’s 5-0 victory. Before Wednesday’s victory, Santana had gone six straight starts without a win. He lasted five innings, yielding just three hits against San Francisco.

The Cubs officially answered the Brewers’ recent acquisition of pitcher C.C. Sabathia by nabbing a quality starter of their own. Chicago acquired A’s pitchers Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin in exchange for RHP Sean Gallagher, OF Matt Murton, INF Eric Patterson and C Josh Donaldson.

The Cubs weren’t scared off by the fact that Harden has had six stints on the disabled list over the past three-plus seasons.

“Obviously there’s some risk involved,” Hendry told Chicago reporters. “He’s missed some time but he’s never had any surgery. We did extensive work with their doctors.”
Harden said he was excited about joining the Cubs but said his emotions were mixed.

“I think it’ll be good,” Harden said. ” They’re a good team and they’ve got a chance to do something special. It’s tough leaving here at the same time. I’ve been here my whole career.”

Gaudin, expected to join Chicago’s bullpen, was less than thrilled in May when the A’s switched him from starting to relieving. He left McAfee Coliseum on Tuesday before reporters could find him for comment.

This was a tremendous move for the Cubs. Harden is a stud when healthy and Chicago sorely needed another arm in their rotation. Harden, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly make up a terrific starting four and certainly one that would allow them to make a deep postseason run if they continue to build on their first half success.