7 hits, 6 rbis

from the 8 and 9 spot. Nice.

Reed Johnson chokes up on the bat. That is what I like about him most. His willingness to just put the ball in play and see what happens. How did we ever get this guy for so little? Lock him up. I'd like to see him in CF for another year or two -- barring the acquisition of a monster outfielder. Or the evolution of Pumpkin Pie. Or the resurgence of the Doxie Diddler.

I am so glad that we didn't give up the farm for Brian Roberts. He's hitting about .260 and not stealing much. Let's hope we still don't try to pull that one off.

I wouldn't mind seeing another starting pitcher added, if the right one can be had. Rumor is that the Padres will soon be firesaling -- could we get Peavy or Young? How about Halladay? He'd look good in a Cub uniform, wouldn't he? The Mets are fading...think they'd sell Pedro for the stretch run? Think he's got anything left in his tank?

If Houston and St. Louis are for real, we just may be in the toughest division in the NL. How's that for irony, after hearing all offseason how the central was the weakest?

Erik Bedard is awful so far. Another good "non-move" for us. The more I see this team, and the better their chemistry develops -- the more I like our chances. We will keep getting better, too, as the season rolls on. The bullpen is starting to look like what we thought it would. We're hitting. I like R. Cedeno this year and I would get him more at bats. I like his approach this year. Thank goodness we kept him, too -- he was almost a throw in a few times. I think Fontenot is trade bait -- he's not getting it done. He needs at bats, and he won't get them here. He is not a good pinch hitter. Too bad, because I like the kid, but we should send him off for something we can use. Same with Murton.

That is all.