Cubs end losing streak, crush Phillies

By Justin Albers
basketballss132002@yahoo.com
INDIANAPOLIS- The Cubs had been playing terrible baseball here in the last week, but they looked like a completely team last night. The Cubs hit 4 home runs and scored 11 runs to help ace Carlos Zambrano win his NL leading 14th game of the season.
Ryan Howard singled in Chase Utley in the first inning and it looked like more of the same from the Cubs. They didn't have to wait long before scored their first runs because it happened in the bottom of the 1st. Aramis Rameriz knocked in 2 runs with a triple to give the Cubs an early lead. Then Michael Barrett knocked in Rameriz when he hit a 2 run home run to give the Cubs a 4-1 lead after the first inning. The Cubs continued their domination in the 3rd when Matt Murton knocked in Phil Nevin and Aramis Rameriz with a single. In the same inning Angel Pagan smacked a 3 run home run into center field to give the Cubs a 9-1 lead after three. In the 4th Rameriz hit again, and this one was a rocket. Rameriz put a charge into the ball and knocked it out of the park for his 31st of the year.
Carlos Zambrano went 7 innings and allowed just 2 runs on 6 hits and struck out 7. Zambrano became the first pitcher in the National League to earn his 14th win of the season (14-5). He looked good, and continued his consecutive streak of at least 100 pitches in a start. The Cubs now start another series with the Cardinals where they have a chance to take their rival out of the playoff race. The Cardinals are now tied for the NL Central lead with the Reds, and a series sweep by the Cubs would really hurt them. Rookie Juan Mateo will be on the mound against the Cardinal ace Chris Carpenter. It should be quite a weekend series.