Greg Maddux, Jim Edmonds Square Off; Ryan Dempster Leads Cubs to Series Win

After Greg Maddux surrendered a hit to Jim Edmonds in the second inning of the Cubs’ 4-0 win over the Padres, the first Edmonds hit as a Cub, Maddux did the classy thing and asked Edmonds if he wanted it.

Maddux, a former Cub, threw the ball into the Cubs’ dugout when Edmonds, the newest addition to the Cub roster, accepted his gesture.

Maddux’s kindness would not help the Padres (15-27), however, as they fell once again to the North Siders. Maddux lasted only four and one-third innings after giving up four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. He gave up 11 hits to the Cubs.

Edmonds went 1-4 in his first game in Chicago.

With the addition of the former St. Louis Cardinals and Padres center fielder, Felix Pie was sent down to Triple-A Iowa.

"It was a good game for him," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella. "He looked the same as always in the outfield."

Reed Johnson is expected to start all three games in center field in the Cubs' upcoming series.

However, the real story for the Cubs was Ryan Dempster, who continued his dominating season on the mound. Dempster went eight and one-third innings, striking out 12 batters and giving up only six hits in the shutout.

"We tried to give him a complete game," Piniella said of Dempster. "His pitch count was good. He threw more pitches the last two or three innings, but what an outstanding effort.

"You couldn't expect more than what he'd done, especially with a few of the problems we've had rotation wise. He's been a Godsend. He's been solid everytime out. I tell you, he likes to win and he goes out there and gets the job done."

Kerry Wood struck out the last two batters, scoring his eighth save in relief for Dempster.

"I was hoping to get them out and get a chance to finish it, but a little bit of motivation for down the road," Dempster said. "Hopefully next time I get myself in a situation I'll be able to finish again, but Woody came in and did a great job and got a save and I was happy."

The Cubs (25-16) now maintain a two game lead in the National League Central Division over the Cardinals after taking three of four from San Diego. They have also won six of their last seven games.

"It was a good win against a tough pitcher," Dempster said. "Four game series, you win those and that's huge."

Chicago saw some improvements at certain positions in the four-game series and other players continued their successes as well.

Alfonso Soriano, after a slow start to the season and working through an injury, improved against the Diamondbacks and continued to redeem himself against the Padres. Soriano went 8-19 (.421) with three home runs and six runs batted in.

April’s National League Rookie of the Month, catcher Geovany Soto, went 4-10 (.400) against the Padres with a long ball and five runs batted in. Henry Blanco gave Soto a day off in the rubber match.

"We scattered a lot of hits and finally put some runs on the board there," Piniella said.

The starting pitchers did very well, for the most part, against San Diego.

Carlos Zambrano (6-1, 2.03 ERA) went seven innings while giving up three runs and six hits.

Ted Lilly (4-4, 5.33 ERA) is still undefeated in May. He went six innings against San Diego, giving up six hits and four earned runs while striking out 11 batters.

Jason Marquis (1-3, 5.26 ERA) was the only losing pitcher in the series for the Cubs. Marquis gave up nine hits and four earned runs in five and two-thirds innings in a 4-3 loss.

The Cubs will wrap up their 10-game home stand with a three-game series against the Pirates. The series will be the only non- interleague series in Major League Baseball.

The Cubs will not engage in interleague play until June 13.

Sean Gallagher (0-0, 6.48 ERA) will make his second start this season for the Cubs in the opener on Friday. He will face Tom Gorzelanny (3-3, 5.97 ERA) of the Pirates.

Gallagher will be competing for the fifth starting spot, which has not been solidified since Rich Hill got sent down to Iowa a few weeks ago. Gallagher went four and one-third innings in his last start against Arizona. He gave up five hits and four earned runs while striking out six and walking three.

Zambrano is expected to face Zach Duke (2-2, 4.04 ERA) in the Saturday game, while Marquis will face Phil Dumatrait (1-1, 3.96 ERA) in the finale.