Picket Fences

The Chicago Cubs needed this game a ton more than the Mets needed it, and they played as if that were the case as Greg Maddux pitched the Cubbies to a 7-0 victory at the Friendly Confines.

Kris Benson made his second start of the season and was victimized by the long ball. The Cubbies overtook the Mets for the N.L. team home run lead with solo shots by Corey Patterson in the third (7), Jason Dubois in the fourth (4), Patterson again in the 5th (8), and a two run shot by Burnitz in the 6th (6). The Cubs sandwiched those with a run in the second and a run in the seventh for the 6 inning picket fence. Benson gave up 6 runs in 6 innings to raise his ERA to 6.75 in 10 and 2/3 innings so far. The bright spot for Benson was no walks in his six innings. But this outing comes on the heels of the war of words between Benson and former Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon, who said that Benson had "no heart".

Greg Maddux befuddled the Mets and proved that they signed the wrong Braves icon as a free agent. In 6 and 2/3 innings tonight, Maddux struck out 10, walked Mike Cameron twice and gave up 3 hits, two of which were by Chris Woodward who played third tonight for David Wright. So Mets regulars got one hit in the entire game. Michael Wuertz and Mike Remlinger were nearly flawless out of the 'pen, giving up only one walk and no hits in their 2 and 1/3 innings of work.

Tomorrow afternoon it's Victor Zambrano (2-3, 5.63) vs. Mark Prior (3-1, 3.09). Unless the Mets can gear their bats better towards Prior's heat than they did towards Greg Maddux, it doesn't look good for a series win.