Cubs sweep it, Yost loses it, and Brewers blow it

When Lou Pinella was interviewed last week on what he thought about the upcoming match ups during the next seven days he said, "Next week will really tell a lot." His quote could not have been more right on.

The Chicago Cubs hit two more homeruns today (Derrek Lee and Ronny Cedeno) and swept the Pirates back to Pittsburgh beating them handily 8-0. They move 3 1/2 games up on the Brewers with six games to play and also have a traveling day (last day off) getting ready to face the 66-90 Florida Marlins on Tuesday. The Cubs will have to clinch the division on the road but the way the big hitters in the lineup are crushing the ball it will probably be during the Florida series. The Brewers can come back but they've lost their last six games against St. Louis and open up their final seven games at home against the Cardinals and then finishing up with the Padres. The Red Birds will play for pride, and the Padres are still vying for a playoff spot.
Carlos Zambrano (17-13) was at his "best" striking out six and only allowing three hits in six innings. He left before the first pitch of the 7th inning with forearm cramps and should be fine for his next start against the Reds. Big Z had not won at Wrigley Field since the end of July and he definitely had something to prove to the Chicago Fans. The Wrigleyville faithful gave him standing ovation after standing ovation showing full support to their newest contract-locked man. 17 wins is his new personal best and the way he pitched today,we'll see number 18 next week.
It was all offense today as the Cubs scored 8 runs on 14 hits. Get this, the series versus the Pirates the Cubs scored 30 runs on 45 hits. They set a record for homeruns (38) in the month of September (hitting .340 as a team in the month) and we still have six games to play. The Cubs have won the last 10 of 12 and go on the road to meet Florida.
There was another bonus game for the Cubs as the Brewers were in control in Atlanta taking a 4-1 lead into the 7th inning when the Braves finally came alive offensively scoring four runs in the seventh and then another two in the 8th to take the game, and take the series. With the final home stand starting tomorrow for the Brew Crew the Cubs can't go into Florida with less than a three game lead with six to play on both sides.
Ned Yost, who is known for his cool demeanor, absolutely went ballistic on the umpires for a call that had Francoeur diving head first back to second base after Teixeira beat out an infield single. He was ejected from the game and then really showed his colors berating the officiating of the whole series in the post press conference. He really showed Brewer desperation and was in no way rallying the troops like Pinella did on June 6th which was the absolute turning point of the Northsiders season.
Anything, and I mean anything can happen in this next week but the players have that "Cubbie swagger" back thanks to Pinella and he's done a hell of a coaching job this season. They've made it fun for the Cubs fan and now the post season is really in our grasp.

Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs are going to win today!!!

I'm Clay Koenig and the Chicago Cubs have a 3 1/2 game lead on the Brewers with six games to play.