Rockies snap Cubs win streak
DENVER -- Just a few hours after the historic 10,000th victory that came in dramatic fashion, the Cubs turned in an uncharacteristic-of-late flat follow-up performance.
Aramis Ramirez didn't reach base in a game for the first time this season. The major-league-leading offense produced only 2 runs and 4 hits.
Kevin Hart couldn't preserve an eighth-inning tie, as he was hurt by a Ryan Theriot error on a potential inning-ending double play.
And a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies before 32,791 at Coors Field ended with hot-hitting Kosuke Fukudome flailing badly on 2 pitches from Brian Fuentes.
So much for a winning streak that had reached six games, for starting the season 16-6 for only the third time in franchise history, and for a chance at grabbing the best record in the majors from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Of all the disappointing developments in a game that flew by in 2 hours, 18 minutes, manager Lou Piniella seemed most displeased with Hart. He got the call in the eighth instead of Bob Howry, who had pitched in three of four previous games and Carlos Marmol, who had pitched in the previous three.
"I can't use Marmol, Howry and (Kerry) Wood every night,'' Piniella said. "A few of the other guys in our bullpen have to start getting the job done.''
After a leadoff double by Matt Holliday and a groundout that moved him to third, Hart intentionally walked Brad Hawpe to set up a double play.
He got the groundball he was looking for, but it was slowly hit by Troy Tulowitzki to Ronny Cedeno at second. Theriot never got a handle on Cedeno's throw and didn't even get the out at second base, let alone the double play.
"I don't know if it would have been a double play or not, but I think (Theriot) tried to hurry the play,'' Piniella said.
Added Theriot: "Yeah, you try to rush it because if you don't turn it, the guy scores. You're trying to do it quick. But I have to catch it first and then see what happens.
"I wasn't concerned about the baserunner (Hawpe) as much as getting the out at first. Troy (Tulowitzki) runs well, and he didn't hit the ball hard. He checked his swing.''
Hart gave up another run on Ryan Spilborgh's single, and the Cubs couldn't find a way to rally this time.
"We were trying to get a groundball there. That's why we walked Hawpe,'' Hart said. "Sometimes, things just don't work out.''
Neither did a big chance for Cubs runs in the top of the eighth. They loaded the bases with no outs and got an RBI fielder's choice from Mike Fontenot but nothing more. Theriot hit a line drive right at first baseman Todd Helton, and Fontenot was doubled off to end the inning.
"We had a chance in the eighth inning -- bases loaded, no outs -- and we only came out with 1 run,'' Piniella said. "On to Washington.''
Rockies 4, Cubs 2
On the mound: Starter Jason Marquis worked 7 innings for the first time this season. He allowed 2 runs on 8 hits while striking out four. Kevin Hart took the loss by giving up a pair of runs (1 earned) in the eighth.
At the plate: Felix Pie had 2 of the Cubs' 4 hits, raising his average to .237. Pie and Mike Fontenot drove in the Cubs' runs.
Scouting report
Cubs vs. Washington Nationals at Nationals Park
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Saturday; Channel 9 Sunday
Radio: WGN 720-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Ryan Dempster (3-0) vs. Odalis Perez (0-3) today at 6:35 p.m.; Carlos Zambrano (3-1) vs. Matt Chico (0-4) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; Ted Lilly (1-3) vs. John Lannan (1-2) Sunday at 12:35 p.m.
At a glance: This will be the Cubs' first look at the Nats' new park. The Cubs were 6-1 against the Nats last year, 3-1 at RFK Stadium. Washington will throw three left-handers at the Cubs, but the Cubs have hit lefties better this season. The Nationals already are close to being buried in the NL East. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is off to a slow start for Washington, with a .225 batting average and 2 homers entering Thursday. As a team, the Nationals were hitting .227, last in the NL. They also were last in home runs (11).
Next: Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field, Tuesday-Thursday
-- Bruce Miles