The Cubs scored 19 runs last night off of 17 hits.  They drew 9 walks.  Every regular got on base at least once - even Felix Pie, who went 0 for 4 but managed to draw a walk.  The Cubs offense drew back their slappin' hand, looked Jeff Suppan in the eye, muttered "is the Cubs gonna' hafta' slap a ho?" and then they hauled off on him to the tune of 11 runs (8 earned) in less than 4 innings of work.  

Geovany Soto, who had struck out in his previous 8 at bats, went 2 for 4 with 2 homeruns and 6 RBI.  Ronny Cedeno, who was a late-game substitution, squared off against the immortal Derrick Turnbow and hit a bases loaded double for 3 RBI.  Cedeno looooves to hit when the bases are loaded. He also drew 2 walks, 1 fewer than the team high of 3 from Mark DeRosa.

Ryan Dempster went 6 innings last night without his best stuff.  Sure, he only gave up 4 hits and 3 earned runs, but he also walked 5 guys and struck out only 1.  Bob Howry relieved him and allowed 2 more earned runs before Carlos Marmol and Michael Wuertz stepped in and shut the Brewers down before they could ::snicker:: rally.  Sorry, couldn't write that with a straight face.

The Cubs have now won 17 games for the month of April.  In May, they play 29 times; 17 at home, and most games against teams with less-than-stellar records.  The Cubs need to build on their momentum.  This is the month to achieve an uncatchable lead, because it is unlikely that they will have a path easier than this one again this season.

Regardless, at this moment the Cubs have the 2nd best record in all of baseball, and they've managed to outscore every other team in all of baseball.  Even more impressive, in the American League, where they have the benefit of the designated hitter, the best offensive team thus far has scored 31 fewer runs than the Cubs.  In all of baseball so far, no team has a better OBP than the Cubs at .375, and only one team has walked more - the Cardinals, who have 144 to Chicago's 130, and they've played 2 more games than the Cubs at this stage.

Chicago plays the rubber game tonight.  I've always loved and hated high scoring games because they rarely translate into a high score the following night, but Milwaukee has to have a tired bullpen and they are facing Carlos Zambrano.  I like the Cubs' chances.