Marlins 3 Cubs 2

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Box score.  Cubs early runs come off Soto and Johnson solo shots in the 2nd and 5th.  Cubs almost tacked on another in the 5th, but Soriano was thrown out at home, trying to score from second on a Lee single.  Ultimately it wasn’t enough, as the Cubs bat in the 9th down by one, but cannot score.  The Cubs move to 60-43.

Jeff Samardzija made his MLB debut in relief in the top of the 7th, just called up from the Iowa Cubs.  His fastball was consistently in the 95-97 MPH range in the 7th, with some wicked late movement.  He was more under control, and a bit slower, 92 or so, in the 8th.  He worked 2 innings, gave up one run, struck out two, gave up a weak single up the middle to Hanley, a double to Cantu, and threw a wild pitch on a pitchout.  He threw 31 pitches in all.

Howry gave up the Marlins’ go-ahead third run in the top of the 9th, on a solo homer to Hermida, which made it onto Sheffield.  Howry took the loss.

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Fukudome is trying hard to mix things up and get it going back at home.  Notice the “Geovany Soto” stamp on his bat in the photo.  Kosuke was excellent in right field in the game, with a few good catches, and one fantastic catch, jumping up against the ivy.

Milwaukee is temporarily a 1/2 game back, and they will host the Astros at 7:05 tonight.  St. Louis is temporarily 3 1/2 back, and play the Mets in NY at 6:10.  Here’s a look at the current wild card standings in the NL:

Milwaukee     59-43   --
St. Louis     57-47  3.0
Philadelphia  54-48  5.0
Florida       54-49  5.5
Cincinnati    50-53  9.5
Los Angeles   49-52  9.5

Cubs 1 Astros 2

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Box score.  Just painfully little to report in this game.  An Edmonds solo shot, a Carlos Lee solo shot onto some toy train tracks, and then somehow the Astros scored in the 9th.  Lilly was the tough luck loser, giving up 6 hits and 1 run through 7, with 2 walks and 6 Ks.

Hopefully, Soriano will be back Thursday when the Cubs return home to face the Marlins.  He’s scheduled for a couple of games at rookie-league Mesa and then a AAA game with the Iowa Cubs, who’ll be in Tucson.