Friday, April 18, 2008

Hill gives Cubs' lefties first win

Rich Hill can take a deep breath now. The Cubs' lefties finally got a win.

Mark DeRosa had two hits, including a game-tying RBI single, and Hill gave up one run over five innings Friday to help the Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-2.

Hill (1-0), making his first start since April 10, and first since spending the weekend in the bullpen, struck out four, walked three and gave up three hits. He and lefty Ted Lilly were winless in six starts prior to Friday's game.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said it was too early to consider replacing the left-handers.

"Let's get these guys straightened out," Piniella said. "They all pitched well last year. A few of them have scuffled, but let's not panic and worry about making drastic moves. They're capable of pitching, and let them get their work in."

The Pirates tallied a run in the second when Jason Bay was safe on an infield single and stole second before scoring on Xavier Nady's single.

Kosuke Fukudome led off the Chicago fourth with his first Major League triple, and scored on DeRosa's single to tie the game. Geovany Soto doubled, and DeRosa tallied on Reed Johnson's infield single. Hill was safe on a fielder's choice, advancing Soto, who scored when Eric Patterson hit into a fielder's choice, opening a 3-1 lead. Patterson, called up to take injured Alfonso Soriano's spot on the roster, was making his first start, and picked up his first Major League RBI.

Nate McLouth made it 3-2 when he homered to open the Pirates' eighth, sending a 2-2 pitch from Carlos Marmol into the center-field seats.

Kerry Wood pitched the ninth for his fourth save in five tries.

No comments: