Gorzelanny gouged as Cubs clout Bucs 7-4.

The game was pretty much over from the first ball that left Tom Gorzelanny's hand as Alfonso Soriano drilled it over the left field wall and it was all downhill from there,as Chicago would score six runs in the first two innings,Soriano homered again in the second and the Cubs cruised to a deceiving 7-4 win at Wrigley Field.
Gorzelanny's anemic effort that saw four balls leave the park off Cub bats was a step back after his last start seemed to show a possible return to 2007 form.
Gorzelanny allowed seven runs on seven hits,walking 2 and striking out three in dropping to 3-4 on the season.
Gorzelanny did appear to have improved control,but his stuff was very hittable as the Cubs continued their domination of the Illinois native this season.
The Cubs have handed the lefty two losses and drove him from the game in under three innings in a no decision in another start.
Jason Bay (9) and Doug Mienkiewicz (1) each homered off Bob Howry in the eighth inning to make the score respectable.
The series continues today in one of those wonderful untelevised Saturday afternoon games that Extra Inning subscribers still cannot see (despite paying for it),so that Fox can shove a Yankee,Met or Red Sox game down your throat.
Message to MLB-I subscribe to your package so I DON'T have to watch those games!

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Zach Duke (2-2 4.04 ERA) at Chicago:Carlos Zambrano (6-1 2.03 ERA) 1:05

Bullpen Notes

2006 Pirate first round selection Brad Lincoln will make his first start since his Tommy John surgery last spring on Sunday for Hickory against Rome.
My hopes for Lincoln this year are modest as it takes usually 2 years after surgery to be back at full capacity.

Overheard at last nights Hagerstown-Kannapolis game-"The main candidates for the Richmond market are AA Erie and Connecticut,High A Kinston and Potomac and Low A Hagerstown."

Keep in mind that the Connecticut Defenders are owned by boxing and mixed martial arts promoter Lou DiBella and he is a New York guy,so despite the Defenders problems at the gate,DiBella may not want to be that far away from the pulse of his franchise.
One would think that Richmond would want to keep the highest level possible,but the money savings that would result from the more geography friendly Carolina League cannot be underestimated.
Stay tuned.

I just went to the game for signatures last night and left.
Between a chilly night,aching knees and being alone-I passed on the game.
Shame on me!

I will do an on the signing front on Monday after what I am able to add from tonight's game in Hagerstown and tomorrows in Frederick.

Until next time

Photo Credit
Gorzelanny:Nam Huh-AP Photo
Lincoln:Dave Arrigo-Pittsburgh Pirates