Alfonso Soriano, Mark DeRosa Come Up Big; Cubs Finish Off 8-2 Home Stand

What a way to eliminate a drought.

Following a recent slump, all the Cubs did on their recent home stand was put up an 8-2 mark while sweeping a team that boasts the best record in baseball.

Not too shabby.

Chicago finished up the week at Wrigley Field with a weekend series against Pittsburgh, which the Cubs triumphed in, winning two of the three games.

The Cubs (27-17) maintained their two-game lead over St. Louis in the National League Central Division, and are only one game behind Arizona for the best record in the Major Leagues. The Pirates (21-23) are now tied for fourth in the NL Central with Cincinnati, winners of six straight.

Alfonso Soriano was a big reason for the Cubs’ success in this series, as he continued his recent hot streak at the plate. The left fielder had two multi-home run games this weekend while batting in eight runs. He hit 8-12 (.750) in the series, including going 5-5 on Saturday.

Mark DeRosa also had a good weekend for the Cubs, going 5-11 (.454). He had one long ball and scored four times against the Pirates.

Sean Gallagher (1-0, 4.40 ERA) picked up his first decision of the year in Friday’s 7-4 win. The winning pitcher went six innings while giving up only one earned run on four hits. Kerry Wood pulled in his ninth save on the day.

Carlos Marmol (1-1, 1.67 ERA) got his first loss of the season in Saturday’s 7-6 setback. Marmol gave up a game winning home run to Nate McLouth in the top of the ninth inning, giving the Pirates the win.

Marmol wasn’t the only pitcher that struggled on the mound, as Carlos Zambrano (6-1, 2.45 ERA) lasted only four innings, giving up five runs on seven hits. Michael Wuertz was the bright spot for the Cub pitching staff, giving up only one hit in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Jason Marquis (2-3, 4.96 ERA) recovered after a loss earlier this week with a 4-3 win on Sunday. Marquis went six innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits and walking only one batter. Wood picked up save number 10 in relief.

The Cubs will now head to Houston to take on the Astros in a three-game set. Ted Lilly (4-4, 5.33 ERA) is expected to start the Monday game against Brian Moehler (1-0, 4.58 ERA). Ryan Dempster (6-1, 2.35 ERA) will take on Chris Sampson (2-3, 6.46 ERA) on Tuesday, while Gallagher will face Shawn Chacon (4.14 ERA) in the Wednesday finale.

Lance Berkman, a National League MVP frontrunner, will be a predominant Astro threat. Berkman boasts the most home runs in the Major Leagues (16), the second best batting average (.399) and the second most runs batted in (44).