Gilded Lilly

One day after Z pitches his no-hitter, Lilly goes seven innings and gives up only one hit. Samardzija, Marmol and Howry finished it off without giving up a hit (though they did give up a run) and the Cubs became the first team in history to follow a no-hitter with a one-hitter (the Cubs also had back-to-back one-hitters by Lieber and Wood on May 24-25, 2001). For the two games, the Astros hit .019, the Cub starters pitched 16 scoreless innings and gave up one hit while striking out 19. The mini sweep of the 'Stros put the Cubs 5-3 for this longest road trip. They went to 4 cities in 11 days, including two unscheduled rest days due to Ike, and managed to win the final 4 games after starting 1-3.

Samardzija and Marmol managed to give up a run without giving up a hit, which was the only smudge on this two day series. Samardzija walked two with one out and gave way to Marmol. Marmol then let the runners move up on a wild pitch before a sac fly brought in the run.

The Cubs offense got on track a bit with 6 runs on 7 hits (just in time to face Sabathia). Soriano led off the game with a single, was moved over by a Lee single and brought in by a Ramirez sac fly. Good way to start the game and, just like yesterday, that one run was all they would need. Edmonds added a solo shot in the fifth inning (which also included a Lilly single). Four more runs were added in the sixth as Fontenot walked ahead of a Lee homer and then Ramirez singled ahead of a Soto homer.

The Brewers were off yesterday and now the Cubs own an 8-game lead in the Central. Apparently that was enough for Milwaukee management, who fired Ned Yost despite the Brewers being tied for the Wild Card with only 12 games left before post-season play. The Brewers look respectable at 83-67 with a very young, talented team. However, this team has a $90 million dollar payroll and people expected more from them. They fell flat at home mid-season against the Cubs and let them slip out of town in first place, then just recently floundered against Philly and their lead in the Wild Card race evaporated before their eyes. In non-Sabathia starts, the team has gone 15-22 since July 26th - when they were tied with the Cubs on top of the Central. They held a 5 1/2 game lead on the WC on September 1. This is too similar to the 2007 collapse when the Brewers couldn't hold an 8 1/2 game lead in the Central. Yost did good work otherwise, posting a .532 winning percentage and making Milwaukee relevant again. This might be there first playoffs since 1982, but they'll have to do it behind Dale Sveum.

Welcome to Managing in the Bigs, Dale. Here come the Cubbies and their chests are puffed out. Sabathis versus Dempster. Should be a good one.

Magic Number: Division and Wild Card - 6