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| Soriano homers twice as Cubs top Pirates again CHICAGO CUBS 7, PITTSBURGH 4 |
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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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