Boxscore

Lou Piniella was ejected for the first time this year, and it did nothing but propel the Cubs to demolish the Giants. That breaks Chicago’s longest losing streak of the season at 4 games, and keeps the winning Cardinals 2.5 games back. Perhaps Lou should have done that earlier.

Or maybe not. It’s hard to lose when Ted Lilly pitched better than he ever has all year, allowing 2 runs over 8-plus innings. Kerry Wood pitched a scoreless ninth to close the game in a non-saving situation. I imagine that after all that losing, Wood just needed a little work. Either that, or wanted to be one appearance closer to injury.

However, things aren’t looking up just yet. Jason Marquis starts for Chicago tonight.