Cubs Stock Up for Pennant Stretch Run
Kenny Lofton is looking forward to another pennant race. Aramis Ramirez can’t wait to hit at Wrigley Field, in the middle of a lineup that includes Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou.
The Chicago Cubs filled two big holes with one major move Tuesday night, acquiring Lofton and Ramirez from the Pittsburgh Pirates for infielder Jose Hernandez and two minor leaguers.
Chicago is third in the NL Central, 4 1/2 games behind first-place Houston, but now seems poised to make a strong stretch run.
“This is what I like to play for, to try to get to the playoffs,” Lofton said. “I like to win.”
The speedy Lofton gives the Cubs a proven leadoff hitter with big-game experience. He gets reunited with Dusty Baker, his manager with the NL champion Giants last season.
Lofton will replace injured center fielder Corey Patterson, out for the season with a torn knee ligament.
Ramirez, batting .280 with 12 homers and 67 RBIs, should provide more protection in the lineup for Sosa, who is finally on a tear following a slow start.
The downside is Ramirez’s shaky defense – 23 errors – but the Cubs have been looking for an everyday third baseman all season.
“They’re a good team, and with Sammy and Moises there … I hope they’ll help take me to the next level,” Ramirez said.
The Cubs lost 8-4 to Greg Maddux and the Braves in Atlanta, but barely seemed to mind after learning of the deal.
“This was the time to make a move. I think it’s awesome,” Sosa said.
In other NL games, it was San Francisco 3, Arizona 1; New York 7, Philadelphia 5; Florida 9, Montreal 1; Houston 2, Pittsburgh 0; Milwaukee 6, Cincinnati 4; San Diego 3, St. Louis 2; and Los Angeles 5, Colorado 2.
Maddux (9-8) won his third straight start to go over .500 for the first time this season and Vinny Castilla hit a two-run homer for Atlanta.
Maddux allowed two runs, five hits and no walks in seven innings. He stifled the streaking Cubs, who scored 31 runs on 41 hits in their two previous games.
The Braves won for the 14th time in 16 games and stretched their NL East lead over Philadelphia to a season-high 10 1/2 games.
Sergio Mitre (0-1) lost in his major league debut.
The rebuilding Pirates also traded left-handed reliever Scott Sauerbeck to Boston for reliever Brandon Lyon earlier Tuesday.
“Sometimes you have to take a step backward to get better,” Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon said.
Giants 3, Diamondbacks 1
At San Francisco, Damian Moss (9-6) pitched seven strong innings and the Giants beat Arizona ace Curt Schilling (5-5) for the second time in 10 days to win their sixth straight.
Marquis Grissom had two hits, including an RBI single, and the Giants increased their NL West lead to nine games over the second-place Diamondbacks. Barry Bonds had an RBI single.
Dodgers 5, Rockies 2
At Los Angeles, Paul Lo Duca had three hits and three RBIs, and Shawn Green added three hits with a pair of doubles for the Dodgers.
Hideo Nomo (11-8) won for the fifth time in seven decisions. Eric Gagne got his 34th save this season and 42nd straight overall.
Padres 3, Cardinals 2
At San Diego, Oliver Perez (4-4) pitched seven solid innings and Rondell White drove in two runs for the Padres.
The second-place Cardinals fell four games behind Houston in the NL Central. Matt Morris was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right index finger and is expected to miss three-to-six weeks.
Mets 7, Phillies 5
At Philadelphia, Ty Wigginton, Jason Phillips and Roger Cedeno each had two RBIs as New York beat Kevin Millwood (10-7) and made a winner of Steve Trachsel (9-6).
Dan Wheeler got the final out for his second save, striking out Pat Burrell with runners on second and third.
Marlins 9, Expos 1
At Miami, former Expo Carl Pavano (7-10) pitched a four-hitter as Florida dropped Montreal to .500 for the first time since April 9.
Derrek Lee had four RBIs, and Luis Castillo went 4-for-4 for the Marlins.
Astros 2, Pirates 0
At Pittsburgh, Jeriome Robertson (10-3) pitched three-hit ball into the eighth inning to win his ninth straight decision and Houston avoided being swept in Pittsburgh for the second time this month.
Morgan Ensberg hit his 19th homer and Robertson added an RBI single as the teams split the two-game series. Houston had lost four straight in Pittsburgh but has won six of seven and 11 of 13 overall.
Billy Wagner earned his 29th save in 32 chances.
Brewers 6, Reds 4
At Cincinnati, Bill Hall drove in runs with a triple and a double in his first start of the season for Milwaukee.
Winning pitcher Wayne Franklin (7-6) gave up two runs in six innings, including Jose Guillen’s 20th homer.