Cubs finally get some runs but can't stop losing streak

After going 3-for-19 during a dismal Cubs road trip, then venting about what he viewed as unfair treatment by plate umpires, outfielder Milton Bradley chose the right way to express his anger Monday night.

In consecutive innings, Bradley belted a 2-run double and a 2-run homer. In his first 97 at bats of the season, he collected just 9 RBI, while batting .188.

Bradley's home run gave the Cubs a 7-6 lead in the fourth inning, but it was short-lived. Neal Cotts surrendered 3 runs in the top of the sixth as Pittsburgh pounded out a season-high 18 hits and won 10-8, dealing the Cubs their eighth straight loss.

After plating just 5 runs total during an 0-6 road trip through St. Louis and San Diego, the Cubs (21-22) scored 7 runs in four innings upon returning to Wrigley Field. Shortstop Ryan Theriot delivered 3 doubles.

But starter Ryan Dempster lasted only 4 innings and walked in a pair of runs in the third. Dempster tried to keep a positive attitude, pointing to how the Padres were swept at Wrigley not long ago and have now won 10 in a row.

"Things can change in a hurry," he said. "We're not worried about what happened in the last eight games."

After the game, Bradley apologized for blaming the umpires for his hitting slump, comments that were made following Sunday's loss at San Diego.

"I understand I made a mistake," he said. "I was talking a little reckless, in the heat of the moment at the time we were in a losing streak. I wasn't swinging the bat well and I was frustrated, so I vented about a lot of things I shouldn't have.

"(Teammate) Reed (Johnson) kind of put his foot in my (rear) today - figuratively, not literally. He got me back where I needed to be. Billy (Williams) just told me a few mechanical things he saw and it was a good night. But there's a long way to go."

Bradley wasn't the only frustrated Cub on Monday. Pitcher Ted Lilly was tossed from the dugout by Bob Davidson between innings, prompting a brief verbal altercation. Lilly had been watching much of the game on television in the clubhouse.

"I asked him if he could concentrate a little better back there and he basically told me he could do whatever he wanted," Lilly said. "That got me upset."

Meanwhile, Piniella expressed frustration with Cotts, whose ERA ballooned to 7.36 after giving up 2 doubles and a go-ahead 2-run homer to Nate McLouth in the sixth.

"We're giving Neal all the opportunities in the world," Piniella said. "It's time."

"I have my confidence," Cotts said. "I just made some bad pitches."

The Pirates added a run in the seventh to make it 10-7. The Cubs got 1 run back when Ryan Freel's two-out single scored Johnson. After an Aaron Miles single, Piniella chose to use pitcher Carlos Zambrano as a pinch hitter, even though Mike Fontenot, Kosuke Fukudome and Koyie Hill were available. Zambrano struck out to end the inning.

In the ninth, Geovany Soto reached base when he smoked a line drive off Pittsburgh pitcher Matt Capps' right arm. Capps had to leave the game, and Sean Burnett, the Pirates' seventh pitcher of the game, struck out Micah Hoffpauir, walked Freel to put the tying runs on, then coaxed a grounder to second from Miles to end the game.

Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez went 6-for-6 at the plate with a home run.

Mike McGraw's game tracker

Hitting returns: After batting .160 during an 0-6 road trip, the Cubs returned home and scored 7 runs in the first four innings. Shortstop Ryan Theriot smacked 3 doubles, while Milton Bradley had a double, homer and 4 RBI.

Pitching fails: Starter Ryan Dempster struggled on a cold night. He lasted just 4 innings and walked in a pair of runs in the third, then Neal Cotts gave up a go-ahead, 2-run homer to Nate McLouth in the sixth as the Pirates won 10-8.

'Z' in a pinch: With two on and two outs in the seventh inning, manager Lou Piniella sent pitcher Carlos Zambrano to pinch hit in the No. 9 spot, even though Mike Fontenot and Kosuke Fukudome were available on the bench. Zambrano struck out on a bad pitch.

Unlucky numbers: The Cubs (21-22) dropped their eighth straight and fell below .500 for the first time since they were 10-11 on April 30. Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez went 6-for-6 with a home run.

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