Tom Gorzelanny Wows In Cubs Debut

So far this season the Cubs have done one thing really well, starting pitching. It doesn't seem to matter who is the starter, they put together a solid effort almost every game. Tonight it was Tom Gorzelanny's turn to fill in for an injured regular, and he was brilliant against the free falling Reds. His 7.1 IP 3 hit, 6k, 1 walk effort combined with a four run sixth to propel the Cubs to their second win in a row.

Sean Marshall and Angel Guzman made it a bit interesting for the final five outs, but they were able to get the needed outs before giving up too much damage. See my post earlier today for why we don't need to freak out about the bullpen right now.

The offense got started my Kosuke Fukudome hitting a leadoff homer, then took a vacation while Johnny Cueto gave the Reds some hope for a few innings. Cueto was really on his game for most of the night, he just ran out of gas in the sixth and still almost got out of it. After giving up a single to Alfonso Soriano, Cueto struck out Mike Fontenot.

Then Koyie Hill came up and hit a sinking line drive to center field, it got by a diving Willy Taveras to plate two Cubs runs. Gorzelanny and Fukudome added RBI singles to make it 5-0. Derrek Lee added another homer to make it 6-0 in the seventh.

The Reds scored off Marshall in the eighth on a Joey Votto RBI single (standard even in a blowout) and then a Wladimir Balentien two-run homer off Angel Guzman. The Cubs bullpen needs to talk to the starters about how to get guys out, the only runs allowed in this series have come in the eighth and ninth innings (yes I know Wells gave up one of them). 

The Cubs certainly seem to have the Reds number this season, and will send Rich Harden to the mound tomorrow to try and sweep the Reds for the second time in a week. Harden will face Justin Lehr and his 5.40 ERA.