TheIndyChannel.com

ticketnetwork
Sports
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters

Lee Homers Twice As Cubs Down Brewers

POSTED: 12:44 am EDT July 3, 2009

(Sports Network) - Derrek Lee headlined a home run parade with two long-balls -- a three-run shot and a grand slam -- for a career-high seven RBI, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 9-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the beginning of a crucial four-game series between the NL Central foes.

It was Lee's 20th career multi-homer game, as the Cubs won for the third time in four games. Jake Fox and Geovany Soto each hit a solo shot in a game that featured six total homers -- all in the first six innings.

"I don't feel different, just swinging the bat well right now," Lee said of his recent string of good hitting. "Getting a pitch the hit and putting the bat on it -- I don't try to compare different times."

Ryan Dempster (5-5) was the beneficiary of the run support, moving to 10-3 lifetime against Milwaukee after allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks with nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

Mike Cameron and Prince Fielder each hit a home run for the Brewers, who have lost two in a row after winning four of their previous five. Seth McClung (3-2), in his second start of the year, was hammered for seven runs on seven hits with two walks and a strikeout in only 3 1/3 innings.

"The offense, after getting shut out yesterday, I was pleased with the offense," Brewers manager Ken Macha said. "The offense would have given us a chance to win. The starting pitching didn't."

The Cubs got off to a quick start in the first. Sam Fuld drew a walk to lead off, Ryan Theriot followed with a single, and Lee scored everybody with a three-run homer to left for an early cushion.

Two batters later, Fox hit his fourth home run of the season for a 4-0 edge.

Cameron, though, answered for Milwaukee, blasting a two-run shot in the second to cut the Brewers' deficit in half.

To keep the home run parade going, Soto drilled his eighth of the year to lead off the fourth and give the Cubs a 5-2 lead.

Chicago blew the game wide open in the same frame thanks to more hot hitting from Lee. Following Soto's homer, Mike Fontenot and Fuld both singled, and Theriot walked, setting up Lee's grand slam to center for a commanding 9-2 advantage.

Fielder added to the home run tally with a leadoff shot in the sixth, pulling the Brewers to within 9-3. Ryan Braun produced the first non-homer run of the game with an RBI single in the seventh, although it still left Milwaukee down by five.

In the top of the eighth, with one out and Aaron Heilman pitching for Chicago, Cameron doubled, Corey Hart was hit by a pitch, and Jason Kendall grounded an RBI single through the left side of the infield for a 9-5 game.

Heilman limited the damage by retiring the next two hitters, and Carlos Marmol finished off the Brewers in the ninth.

Game Notes

Thursday marked the beginning of an 11-game homestand for the Cubs. They will also face Atlanta and St. Louis while at Wrigley Field...Chicago leads the season series, 4-3...Cameron finished 3-for-4, while Fielder was 2-for-4 for Milwaukee...Fuld and Theriot both had a pair of hits for Chicago...Since May 30, a span of 29 games, Lee is hitting .339 with nine homers and 29 RBI. He has 14 home runs total this season. It was his 10th career grand slam...Dempster earned his first win since May 30.

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
In the workplace it’s the little things that get you noticed and help you stand out above the rest. Do these things and increase your chances for a promotion. More

If your credit is shabby, you'll need to shore up your score to convince a lender you're worthy. Here's how to boost your point total. More

Exercise has many benefits for people with ADHD, including improved attention spans, focus, and even sleep patterns. More

To get the best possible treatment it is vitally important that you correctly diagnose the specific type of cancer you or a loved one has. More

Sponsored Links