Cubs win 7-1 and seven All-Stars; I'd say it was a good day

Reprinted with permission from Cubbie Nation - Notes From the Front Office

The afternoon started with seven Cubs being selected to the 2008 All-Star Game. It end with the Cubs finally getting both good hitting and pitching in the same game, and putting it all together for a 7-1 win vs. the Cardinals. This puts them 3.5 games up on the Cardinal and Brewers, who are now tied for second place in the National League Central.

First things first. Congratulations to Kosuke Fukudome, Geovany Soto, and Alfonso Soriano, who were selected by the fans to be All-Star starters. While I think it would be insanely audacious for Soriano to actually play in that game considering his playing status, it's still quite an honor. Also selected were Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Dempster, and Kerry Wood -- selected by the players, and Carlos Zambrano, a managerial pick by Clint Hurdle. Interestingly, Ryan Braun overtook all outfielders to start this game, however this relegated expected starter Ken Griffey, Jr. to also-ran status rather than benching Kosuke Fukudome, as many expected.

Now, on to this game. Honestly, I wouldn't have told you 10 days ago that a 4-6 road trip would have been the preferred result this week, but after getting swept by the White Sox to start the trip, I'm ecstatic about it. And today's game? It started and end with the pitching. Sean Marshall, perhaps showcasing himself as trade bait , was spot on in pitching six innings of one-run ball. Sean picked up his first win of the season, for his part. Credit Lou for thinking macro, as the Cardinals are now a .500 team in 2008 against lefty starters. He knew it, and positioned his rotation accordingly. This might have been a three-game sweep, were it not for Kerry Wood foibles Saturday afternoon. But I'm still hitting walls over that one, so perhaps it's best not to talk about it. The bullpen was equally solid, as the combination of Neal Cotts, Carlos Marmol, and Bob Howry went three scoreless innings in relief. It was nice to see, especially in the case of Neal Cotts, who recorded his ninth consecutive scoreless appearance. He's been rock solid for the last month -- really for most of his time with the club this season -- , and looks to give Lou Piniella some real hard choices once Scott Eyre returns.

Offense? Well, All-Star did what All-Stars do. Aramis Ramirez had three RBI, Geovany Soto hit a solo home run to start the 8th, and Kosuke Fukudome singled and scored in the 7th on a Derrek Lee RBI double. Like I said, it was a balanced effort throughout, with everyone sans Matt Murton and Sean Marshall reaching base. The Cubs were able to take advantage of a Russ Springer throwing error to first in the eighth inning to pick up an insurance run, but this game was pretty much in hand by then. A great way to end the road trip.

Now it's back to Wrigley Field, where the Cubs will play the Reds in a three-game set starting Tuesday night. The Reds are reeling a bit to be sure, being in the middle of a full-blown youth movement, but Aaron Harang is always a pleasure to watch pitch. Dusty must be going through toothpicks by the pound dude. Here's to the start of a great week.