Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Geovany Soto hit a go-ahead single during a
four-run seventh inning, and the Chicago Cubs topped the Miami Marlins, 5-1,
in a rain-shortened contest at Wrigley Field.
Pinch-hitter Jeff Baker stroked a two-run double during the decisive frame, as
the Cubs won for the fifth time in six contests. Starlin Castro started the
bottom of the fourth with a homer.
The game was halted by a rain storm with one out in the top of the eighth
inning.
Jose Reyes led off the third inning with a homer for the Marlins, who saw
their two-game win streak broken.
Jeff Samardzija allowed six hits and fanned nine over five innings in the
start for the Cubs, while Josh Johnson (5-7) yielded five hits and four runs
over 6 1/3 frames for Miami. James Russell (3-0) pitched the seventh inning
for the win.
The Marlins wasted a chance with runners at the corners later in the third,
and then Castro tied it with his blast to left field, Chicago's first hit of
the night.
Miami let a golden opportunity slip away the following inning. Emilio
Bonifacio led off with a triple. With one out Logan Morrison grounded a ball
toward first base. Bonifacio was caught in a rundown between third and home,
but Soto mishandled the ball, putting two runners in scoring position.
Samardzija fanned Hanley Ramirez and Greg Dobbs grounded out to end the
threat.
The Marlins stranded two more runners in the seventh, and the Cubs sent nine
men to the plate in the bottom half. Alfonso Soriano singled and advanced to
second on a wild pitch before Soto hit a bouncer over the head of a drawn-in
Ramirez at third for a 2-1 lead. After Darwin Barney singled, Michael Dunn
entered from the bullpen to replace Johnson.
Luis Valbneua singled to load the bases, and Baker sent a low liner that was
barely inside the chalk down the left field line. David DeJesus followed with
a sacrifice fly.
Game Notes
Marlins reliever Edward Mujica was activated from the 15-day disabled list
Wednesday. He was out with a fractured right pinky toe...Actors Will Ferrell
and Zach Galifianakis presented the Cubs' starting lineup...Mark Buehrle
pitches for the Marlins, while Paul Maholm takes the mound for Chicago in the
finale of this three-game series Thursday afternoon...The Cubs are 13-5 in
their last 18 games at Wrigley Field.
The Sports Network