Boxscore

The Cubs continue to search for a fourth and fifth starter for their rotation. Sean Gallagher was up for the audition today, and things looked promising when Derek Lee homered in a three-run top of the first. Of course, Gallagher hadn’t pitched yet.

Actually, Gallagher did fine until the third when Carlos Lee homered and gave the Astros the lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. The Astros moved a game closer to the Cubs and are now only 1.5 games back.

The Cubs have a day off, hoping to regroup after losing yet another series to a team in their division. The Astros host the Phillies with Kyle Kendrick starting against Roy Oswalt at 8:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

Now that the Pirates reminded the Brewers how to win a game, it looks like Milwaukee liked it and wants some more, please.

Rickie Weeks had what he hopes was a slump-busting home run and Ben Sheets pitched a complete game, allowing only one run. That one run was a Xavier Nady solo shot in the 4th.

The Pirates try once more to deal with this formerly sleeping giant they awakened when Tom Gorzelanny faces Dave Bush at 7:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

As I fell asleep watching Johnny Cueto continue his rookie struggles, the Reds were foremost in my thoughts. I then proceeded to have this awesome dream where Ken Griffey, Jr. took the team on his back–without breaking it!–and proceeded to launch three home runs to lead the team to victory, prevent the sweep at the hands of the once-hated Dodgers, and prevent the losing.

Then I woke up and saw the team once again lost and Griffey, like he has most of this year, was a complete non-factor in the game. Still, it would have been nice. And what a way to reach 600.

Fantasy is better than reality when it comes to the Reds, I’m afraid. They’ll try to change that when they travel to Aaron Harang’s hometown today. Harang gets the start, which doesn’t bode well for Griffey’s offensive chances, considering the dearth of scoring for Harang. He’ll face Randy Wolf at 10:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

In their previous game, the Cardinals unleashed a home run barrage on the Padres, pummeling them for the win. That was not the case yesterday, as the Cardinal bats were silenced by a wily Greg Maddux.

There was no 12th career home run from Cesar Izturis to save them.

Joel Pineiro was okay in the loss, and the bullpen pitched scoreless baseball, but the offense sputtered. It wasn’t even a matter of missed opportunities, as only 3 St. Louis runners were stranded. Just some days you win, and some days you don’t.

Braden Looper starts next for the Cardinals, hoping for better run support than Pineiro, while the Padres counter with Chris Young at 10:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

Sure Ryan Dempster had only one bad inning. Sure there was just one pitch he would like to do over. But when I saw Hunter Pence drive one deep with the bases loaded, I couldn’t help but smile.

Things don’t seem right with the world when Dempster pitches well. Earthquakes, famines, long lines for gas–all those things because Dempster hasn’t been Dumpster so far this year. Okay, the latter wasn’t his fault. The two-mile long line for gas I saw on my drive home was thanks to a radio station having a gas sale. The savings? 88¢. And people were waiting in line with their cars running. *cough*morons*cough*

Anyway, back to the game. Pence’s grand slam was all that the Astros would score, but that’s all they needed. Chris Sampson scattered hits around, but pitched into the seventh allowing just two runs. The bullpen took over, and Jose Valverde turned in another lights out performance for the save. Ever since a game in April where he completely sucked, he made an adjustment and has been one of the best closers in the league. Good for him.

The two play again tonight when the Cubs send Sean Gallagher against Shawn Chacon at 8:05pm EDT.