The Braves snapped the Cubs four game winning steak tonight, 2-0, behind the pitching of Javier Vazquez and three relievers. The offense appeared to revert back to old habits of not being able to get the big hit in the clutch, stranding 11 runners on the evening.
The Cubs had plenty of chances consistently putting runners on base with 10 hits and three walks, being shut out with double-digit hits in a nine-inning game for the first time since Aug. 29, 1990, at Houston.
Ryan Dempster had a quality start, going 6.2 innings giving up two runs, both earned on eight hits, four walks and six strikeouts. Dempster however got no offense from a lineup resting both Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley.
Derrek Lee extended his hitting streak to 19 games with a single in the bottom of the first inning. Jake Fox getting a rare start in LF went 2-for-5, although he did go down looking with two on and two outs in the top of the ninth. Andres Blanco had another pair of hits raising his average to .245 on the year. Kevin Hart made his first appearance since being recalled pitching one inning, giving up no runs on no hits and one walk.
The Braves got a rare win with little offense, improving to 4-29 in games in which they scored fewer than four runs.
Final R H E
Cubs 0 10 0
Braves 2 8 0
W: Vazquez (5-6) L: Dempster (4-5)
S: Soriano (6)
HR: Cubs- None
Braves- None
Series Record 1-2
Season Record 34-32
Road Record 13-19
Home Record 21-13
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Mike Fontenot
Micah Hoffpauir