Walters and staff falters in Cards loss

The Cubs rallied with a run in the 7th and a two run homer by Alfonso Soriano in the bottom of the 8th to beat the Cardinals 8-7.  Ryan Ludwick had two homers, but couldn’t come through in the 9th.

The Cubs were up 3-0 off rookie starter PJ Walters, who only last four innings.  The Cubs really had a chance to put this game away, but could never blow the game open.

In the third inning, Cubs’ starter Carlos Zambrano loaded up the bases for Albert Pujols who drove in a run with a sac fly. 

Zambrano left a slider up on his first pitch to Ludwick who drilled it to left field for a three run homer and 4-3 lead. 

The Cubs tied it a five after five, then Brian Barden homered for the second time in as many days  in the 6 ^th and Ludwick followed with a solo homer in the 7 ^th .  The Cubs added a run in the bottom of the 7 ^th , a two out RBI single by Aramis Ramirez.  Then in the 8 ^th Alfonso Soriano hit a two run homer off Chris Perez. 

In the Cardinals 9 ^th , closer Carlos Marmol walked Colby Rasmus on four pitches, then Pujols got hit by a pitch.  Marmol then wiggled out of the jam by striking out and then getting Khalil Greene to hit into a game ending double play. 

[box score]