Cub offense putters in 2-1 loss

A strange day at Wrigley ended in a 2-1 one disappointment to Atlanta Tuesday night. I find it pretty interesting that the team was able to keep the Dempster injury completely underwraps for a full day. Didn't anyone in the media see him hobbling around the clubhouse or dugout Monday? I would imagine with the toe injury he'd have a bit of a gimp.

A little side note about the Dempster injury: last night Gene Wojciechowski (that's right, I spelled it out) wrote a very cocky article declaring that the Cubs would run away with the division because of their starters, assuming they don't get hurt. Well look what happens the next day, down one goes. No, I am not hypothesizing a curse of any kind is at work, I just find it ironic.

Either way, Z filled in admirably by tossing 6 innings of 2 run ball on short rest. It was a bit frustrating that he gave up a run right after the Cubs had tied it, but that is just nit-picking. The team was in a position to win the entire game, and that really is all that matters.

Since Vazquez did this before to the Cubs, and as BlogFines pointed out has been one of the better pitchers in the NL this season, I'm not going to take tonight's offensive offense too seriously. Theriot had some balls hard right at people and D-Lee can be forgiven for an off night at the plate. There were some encouraging signs too though, despite the total output.

Soriano hit two singles right up the middle. Granted the first was a slow roller, hopefully that is a sign his timing is returning. It does seem, however, everytime he does anything it is surely a sign he is about to break out; whether it was the bloop hit against the White Sox or the oppo-field singles. Maybe, just maybe, that hot streak Len keeps promising is actually right around the corner. The Cardinals series this weekend sure would be a perfect time for it to finally come out of its long hibernation.

Aramis also scolded two singles. His ropes to center and left were not just seeing-eye rollers, but hard hit. The fact his shoulder is withstanding that violent movement is great.

Tomorrow should be a slugfest with Kevin Hart and Kenshin Kawakami on the hill, even though Kawakami handled the Cubs pretty well earlier this year (7 IP, 3 ER). Hopefully Kevin Hart and his interesting mustache will turn in a Randy Wells-like run. He gave up only 5 earned runs in 32 innings as a starter in Iowa and didn't let up many home runs (2), but what do minor league numbers really mean.