NewsCubs know they need to go on run soon
Chicago (60-57) at San Diego (51-70), 9:05 p.m. CT
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
08/19/09 3:29 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- The Cubs are checking both the National League Central and the Wild Card standings these days, and at this point, it doesn't matter which one they finish on top of. They close their three-game series in San Diego on Wednesday in need of a win before heading up Interstate 5 to face the West-leading Dodgers. Chicago is six games back in the Central, and five games back in the Wild Card standings. "I don't think you need to separate either of the two," Lou Piniella said, when asked if the team needed to win one or the other. "Obviously, the Cardinals are playing as well as anybody," Piniella said. "If you're playing well in one, you'll be competing in the other." Playing well is the key. Wednesday continues the Cubs swing through a tough 24-day stretch which began on July 31 and finds them on the road for 17 of the 22 games. They're batting .268 at Wrigley Field, averaging five runs per game, and have a 35-22 record. On the road, the Cubs are hitting .242 and they're 25-35. "What we need to do is win some baseball games and we need to put a streak together," Piniella said. "We haven't had one in a long, long time. Are we capable of it? Yeah, we're capable of it. We can't continue to lose these games that seemingly are won. We'll see what happens." He was referring to Monday's game, which the Cubs lost 4-1, as the Padres scored four runs in the ninth off Kevin Gregg. That prompted Piniella to name Carlos Marmol as the new closer, replacing Gregg. "We needed to try a different approach," Piniella said. "We've been very patient, if you want to use that word. We've lost some tough, tough ballgames. Marmol deserves an opportunity, so we're going to give him that chance." Pitching matchupCHC: RHP Rich Harden (7-7, 4.30 ERA)
Harden was scheduled to start Sunday vs. the Pirates, but that game was postponed by rain. He now will start Wednesday in the series finale against the Padres. Harden is 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA in six starts since the All-Star break, with 47 strikeouts in 37 innings. He's walked 11. Opponents are batting just .150 against the right-hander. His last start was Aug. 11 vs. the Phillies, and he gave up two runs on two hits over seven innings but didn't get a decision. SD: RHP Mat Latos (4-2, 4.01 ERA)
Latos, the 21-year-old rookie and resident top prospect, finally got roughed up in his sixth Major League start. In that outing, Latos allowed the Cardinals seven runs on eight hits over four innings. He surrendered a home run to his counterpart, Adam Wainwright, and was gone in the fifth inning after he allowed the first four batters to reach base. There was nothing wrong with Latos' velocity, but his command wasn't nearly as sharp as it had been in his previous five starts, when he won four times. This will be Latos' first career start against the Cubs. Tidbits
The Cubs' longest winning streak this season is five games, done twice. Their longest losing streak is eight games, May 17-25. ... Derrek Lee has hit safely in 20 of his past 25 games starting July 21. His 24 home runs are the most since he hit a career-high 46 in 2005. ... Jeff Baker, who will likely get the majority of playing time at second, has an eight-game hitting streak. ... Ryan Theriot rejoined the team Tuesday after missing two games because of a bad case of the stomach flu. ... No makeup date has been set for Sunday's game between the Cubs and Pirates, postponed by rain, but one possibility is a day-night doubleheader on Sept. 30 at Wrigley Field. ... Andres Blanco had two hits, including a home run, in Triple-A Iowa's 5-3 win over Tacoma on Monday. Casey Fossum picked up the win. ... Chris Carpenter gave up one run on two hits over five innings in Double-A Tennessee's 3-2 win over Chattanooga. ... Class A Daytona split a doubleheader against Tampa. Josh Vitters went 5-for-7 in the two games with a double and an RBI. ... Ryan Flaherty had three hits, including a home run, in Peoria's 7-1 win over Class A Quad Cities. Tickets
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• Thursday: Cubs (Tom Gorzelanny, 5-2, 5.24) at Dodgers (Jeff Weaver, 5-4, 3.71), 9:10 p.m. CT
• Friday: Cubs (Randy Wells, 9-5, 3.01) at Dodgers (Randy Wolf, 7-6, 3.43), 9:10 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Cubs (Ted Lilly, 9-7, 3.42) at Dodgers (Charlie Haeger, 0-1, 3.86), 3:10 p.m. CT
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
