Alfonso Soriano News

Cubs swept on the road

Think the Cubs missed Alfonso Soriano this week. It was a rough week on the road for the Cubs, as they got swept three straight from the Tampa Bay Rays. Good news for the Cubs was the Cardinals lost all three this week, as well, and stayed just 3.5 back of the Cubs.

Tuesday’s game was a pitcher’s duel throughout. The Rays scored first with a single tally in the second, but the Cubs then countered with one in the fifth. The Rays picked up a pair of tallies in the 6th and 7th, to make it 3-1. Troy Percival surrounded one run in the top of the ninth, but was able to keep the Cubs at bay, and hold on to a 3-2 win. Neal Cotts picked up the loss for the Cubs.

On Wednesday, Carlos Zambrano was roughed around a bit, as the Cubs threatened again late, scoring in the ninth, but coming up on the short end once again, 5-4. Percival once again picked up the save, his 17th of the year. The loss dropped Zambrano to 8-3. Let’s  hope his shoulder is okay, after leaving with discomfort.

Thursday, a 7 run 7th was enough for the Rays, as they finished the sweep, picking up Grant Balfour’s second win in the series, as the Cubs’ Carlos Marmol took the loss, giving up a grandslam to Carl Crawford. The loss dropped the Cubs to 45-28 overall, while the wins gave the Rays a 43-29 overall record.

The Cubs get set to take on the cross town rival, White Sox this weekend for a tough three game set at the friendly confines.