The Dodgers did mount a mini-threat in the fourth, when Pierre and Abreu began the inning with back-to-back hits, but nothing came of it. Just a foul pop, a ground ball that advanced the runners and a called third strike to Gonzo, who is now hitting .233 w/RISP. Hendrickson was gone after five innings. They already took Tomko out of the rotation, so I’m not sure what they’re going to do with this guy, but it appears the Dodgers have gotten about all they’re going to get out of him. Cubs 4, Dodgers 0, top 7

This is as good as I have ever seen him. He has faced the minimum through three, with four Ks. Gonzo got him for a one-out single in the second, but that was quickly erased on Wilson Betemit’s GIDP. Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa got Hendrickson for back-to-back homers in the second, first time the Cubs have done that this year. But Gonzo might have saved another run later in that inning. With Matt Murton on second and one out, Cesar Izturis hit a blooper to left that Gonzo couldn’t get to, but Gonzo faked having a bead on it, even sticking his glove up to catch it just before it landed about five feet in front of him. Murton was deked just long enough that he held up slightly between second and third, which prevented him from scoring, and Hendrickson then got out of the inning without further damage. But Henry Blanco just singled to drive in Murton, padding the Cubs’ lead. Cubs 3, Dodgers 0, top 4

Rafael Furcal is out with right knee stiffness. Doesn’t sound serious. Here is the new lineup

CF Pierre
2B Abreu
1B Nomar
C Martin
LF Gonzo
3B Betemit
RF Ethier
SS Martinez
LH Hendrickson

Russell Martin is batting cleanup, and Tony Abreu is playing second base, where he played most of the time at Las Vegas. Probably has something to do with the fact Kent is 6 for 27, with 11 strikeouts, against Carlos Zambrano. Meanwhile, even though it’s a day game after a night game, Mike Lieberthal continues to gather dust.

SS Furcal — 12gm hitting streak and 25 hits in last 50 ABs
CF Pierre — 3-19 (.158) against Zambrano
1B Nomar — 20-47 with RISP
C Martin — hitting .422 with RISP
LF Gonzo — 4gm hit streak (6-14)
3B Betemit
RF Ethier
2B Abreu
LH Hendrickson — facing Cubs for first time in his career

Easily the best game of the year. Dodgers came back with four in the bottom of the eighth on a shaky Cubs pen. Rafael Furcal drove in the tying run with his first hit of the night, running his hitting streak to 12 games, and Juan Pierre, choosing not to try to bunt for a hit for just the second time in five at-bats tonight, drove in the winner with a sac fly. Dodgers began the inning with three straight hits off Bob Howry, then Olmedo Saenz singled in the first run off Will Ohman (Oh man, they brough HIM in? Bad joke, sorry). The rest of the damage was done against Angel Guzman, who immediately threw a wild pitch and let three inherited runners score. The loss went to Ohman (Oh man, HE took the loss? Sorry, couldn’t resist). Anyway, the Dodgers go to 28-20 on the year and stay one game ahead of the Padres (do they EVER lose?) . Good night, everyone