Tuesday night’s cold didn’t seem to bother the Cubs‘ bats: they scored 7 runs off Dusty Baker‘s Reds and cruised to an easy win. Wednesday night it was cool again – 45 degrees at game time – but this time Chicago’s offense was unable to warm things up. Blame it on Reds starter Johnny Cueto who allowed only 4 hits in 7 innings of scoreless work; and on the Reds’ pen who finished the shutout, allowing only 2 hits in 2 innings. Bad luck for Cubs’ starter Ted Lilly who was solid for 7 innings, giving up only a single unearned run. Alfonso Soriano and Derrek Lee alone defied the general offensive sluggishness, each collecting two hits in the 3-0 loss.
The Cubs will try to rebound Thursday afternoon with Carlos Zambrano on the hill against the Reds’ Aaron Harang. Jeff Samardzija is expected to join the bullpen after a call-up from AAA, with Luis Vizcaino being designated for assignment.