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The Leading Logic In Sports Handicapping |
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CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Alfonso Soriano's homer binge helped the
Chicago Cubs continue to beat up on a National League Central
foe.
Soriano connected on a pair of homers and drove in four runs as
the Cubs remained perfect against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a
7-4 victory in Friday's series opener.
The slugging left fielder homered during a three-run first
inning, his third leadoff homer in the last four games, and
added a three-run blast in the second for a 6-0 lead.
Behind another big day from Soriano, Chicago has now won all
seven meetings with Pittsburgh this season. Dating back to last
season, the Cubs have won 10 straight in the series.
Chicago improved to 7-1 on its 10-game homestand, with Soriano
hitting .484 (15-for-31) with four home runs and 12 RBI in that
span.
"I am just swing at strikes right now, whether they are the
first second or third pitch," Soriano said. "Swing at strikes
and swing hard. I want to hit the ball hard somewhere and make
something happen."
Rookie Geovany Soto and Mark DeRosa also homered for the Cubs,
who have averaged 6.3 runs during the run at Wrigley Field.
Rookie starter Sean Gallagher (1-0) benefited from the
fireworks, picking up his first career win. The 22-year-old
righthander allowed a run and four hits in six innings, striking
out and walking three.
"It was great to get some runs early but then we had to hold
on," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "He (Gallagher) did a nice
job for us, he threw six good innings. I think the early runs
helped settle him down a bit."
"It is breath-taking," said Gallagher of his first career win.
"Really I am just glad to be here. ... Early runs help. After
that I just let my defense make plays behind me and I tried to
throw strikes."
Bob Howry gave up three runs in two innings in relief before
closer Kerry Wood came on for a perfect ninth and his ninth
save.
Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny (3-4) was once again roughed up
by the Cubs, giving up all seven runs and seven hits in six
innings.
The lefthander has lost two of his three starts against Chicago
this season, surrendering 21 runs - all earned - and 19 hits in
11 innings.
A native of nearby Evergreen Park, Gorzelanny had won two of his
first three starts against the Cubs before dropping three of
his last four. Overall, he is 2-4 with a 6.75 ERA.
"Hope I don't face them again," Gorzelanny said with a laugh. "I
have had a string of bad outings against them and I know it.
They know it too."
"They hit some home runs early off him, so it was obvious he
left some balls up and over the plate," Pirates manager John
Russell said.
Winning its previous three series entering the matchup with
Chicago, Pittsburgh attempted to pull off a late rally, cutting
its deficit from 6-0 to 7-4. Xavier Nady opened the scoring
with an RBI single in the sixth inning off Howry and Jason Bay
and Doug Mientkiewicz both homered in the eighth.
"Obviously we fell behind early to a good team, we never gave
ourselves a chance today," Russell said.
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