Cubs Take One from the Orioles, Split Series Heading into Thursday

While the world watched Fresno State complete its Cinderella story and win out over the Georgia Bulldogs, 40,754 people were on hand to watch the Cubs continue on in this magical 100th year with a win over the Baltimore Orioles.

The Cubbies jumped once again to 20 wins over .500 and increased their record to 49-29 as they beat the Orioles by the score of 7-4.

The Cubs jumped out in front early with Ryan Theriot's 12th double of the season, followed by singles by Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Geovany Soto, and Mark DeRosa. The Cubs garnered five hits in the inning and came out of the gate ahead by four.

In the second, Jay Payton of the Orioles hit a two-run homer to bring the score to 2-0. However, in the bottom of the second, the Cubs scored again on a fielder's choice from Jim Edmonds. Geovany Soto singled yet again, bringing in Derrek Lee and putting the Cubs up four.

In the top of the fourth, Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly gave up another two-run home run to Jay Payton, giving him six on the year and bringing the Orioles within two again. Lilly managed to get out of the inning.

The Cubs brought themselves ahead by three in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run to lead off the inning by Jim Edmonds. Edmonds went 1-2 on the game with three walks and 2 RBI.

With little action in the fifth, sixth, and seventh, the Cubs came into the eighth with a three run lead, and the lately much-maligned Carlos Marmol came in to replace Lilly. Marmol gave up a base hit early but came back quickly with two strikeouts, retiring the side.

Wood came in in the top of the ninth to close it out. He got his 20th save on three punchouts as the Cubs won their 49th game of the season, placing them high atop the totem pole in the NL Central. How high is yet to be determined, as the St. Louis Cardinals are still playing the Detroit Tigers at this moment.

The Cubs play next tomorrow at Wrigley at 2:20 pm Eastern Time.