The offense erupted for eight runs, but the pitching allowed 10 runs to the Pirates, as the Cubs stumbled to their eighth loss in a row.  The Cubs pounded out 10 hits, including a three double night for Ryan Theriot, but the offensive explosion wasn’t enough to overcome the poor pitching.

Ryan Dempster got the start and went on to his shortest outing of the year.  He pitched 4.0 innings, giving up seven hits and six earned runs.  Neil Cotts was completely ineffective, giving up four hits and three earned runs in just 1.0 inning.  He earned the blown save and the loss.  On a brighter note, Dave Patton pitched two scoreless innings in his first appearance in two weeks.

Lefty Sean Marshall will take on the Pirates Ian Snell tonight in the second game of the series.

Today’s sub-.250 hitters include;

• Ryan Freel    .154/.214/.154
• Milton Bradley    .198/.314/.376
• Aaron Miles    .204/.250/.265
• Mike Fontenot    .208/.299/.368
• Geovany Soto    .214/.331/.277
• Reed Johnson    .238/.319/.333
• Derrick Lee    .248/.314/.416