Alfonso Soriano Leads Chicago Cubs to 8-2 Homestand

Alfonso Soriano has done nothing but hit during this homestand. For me, this kind of homestand makes me reminisce of the days when Sammy Sosa was patrolling right field for my beloved Chicago Cubs. While during the first month of the season I was everything but in love with Soriano, he has definitely turned it around as of late.

Soriano has done nothing but raise his average from .191 to .295 on the homestand. He also hit five game-winning RBI at Wrigley Field, which propelled the Cubs to their best homestand in recent memory.

While Soriano was anchoring the top of the lineup, Mark DeRosa and Geovanny Soto were holding things down at the bottom. DeRosa chipped in five hits, including a home run, and raised his average to .299 on the season.

Soto had three hits in the series, including a home run and is hitting .321 this season.

Pitching you say?

Jason Marquis (2-3) ended his three-start losing streak in the 4-3 win over the Bucs on Sunday. Marquis also saw his ERA drop from 5.26 to 4.96 with his last start. Marquis lasted six innings, while striking out three and walking one against the Pirates.

Carlos Zambrano was less than stellar for the first time this season, only throwing four innings in Saturday's 7-6 loss. Zambrano did not get the loss, however, as Carlos Marmol gave up a two-run tie-breaking home run to Nate McClouth in the top of the ninth inning. 

Sean Gallagher made another strong outing in game one of the series, making his bid for the No. 5 position in the rotation, with Rich Hill struggling to find his control at Triple-A. 

The Cubs will look to continue their hot streak on the road against division foes Houston and and Pittsburgh, before heading home to face the Dodgers and Colorado to finish out the month.