Harden Fans 10, Marshall Shines Again In Cubs Extra-Innings Win

The Cubs (unsurprisingly) blew a seven-run lead against the Giants but were still able to win in 11 innings, 8-7.

Today was the day. We had already heard about Sean Gallagher's and Matt Murton's excellent performances in Oakland, and it was time to see if the trade had paid off for the Cubbies.

Rich Harden took the mound and made quick work of the San Francisco Giants, going 5.1 innings, walking three, and striking out 10 in his Cubs debut while allowing nothing but goose eggs from the Giants.

It didn't take too long for the Cubs to kick things off, as Mike Fontenot singled in the second to score Mark DeRosa and take an early 1-0 lead.

Jim Edmonds then joined the party in the third, hitting a two-run shot and giving Chicago a three-run lead. In the fourth, Derrek Lee would knock in Ryan Theriot and Edmonds would add 2 RBI to his total, before DeRosa knocked him in. After four innings, the Cubs led 7-0.

Fast forward to the eighth inning. Molina and Rowand would each contribute to the Giants' cause, putting them on the board and making it a 7-2 game. But then, things got really bad very quickly.

Carlos Marmol came on in the ninth to finish out the game and give Harden his first win as a Cub. Unfortunately, things went south as Ochoa doubled to start the inning, then Castillo would reach first before Ray Durham hit an RBI single to center, followed by an RBI single from Molina.

After a few more batters, a fielder's choice, and an error from Theriot, the Giants had tied the game at 7 runs, and Cub fans all around the world were groaning.

But Sean Marshall, who had provided a stellar performance in his last start, came on to keep the hope alive. After pitching two perfect innings, he began the bottom of the 11th with a leadoff single, then DeRosa was walked to put him in scoring position, before a fielder's choice prevented him from going to third base.

But Reed Johnson, the former Blue Jay, singled to right to score DeRosa and save an 8-7 win.

Sean Marshall (2 IP, 2 K) picked up his second straight win, going to 2-2. Brian Wilson (1.1 IP, ER, 2 H, 3 BB) dropped to 0-2.

The Cubbies now lead St. Louis by five games in the NL Central. They also have the best record in Major League Baseball.