Lee, Ramirez homer as Cubs top Brewers 10-2
MILWAUKEE - Reports of Derrek Lee's demise were greatly exaggerated.
And Lee thinks he knows where those reports started.
"You guys said that," Lee told the media Monday night after he had a big night in the Cubs' 10-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
Lee singled, homered, doubled and walked. His 4 RBI gave him 107 for the season, tying his career best, which he set in 2005.
"It's been a good year, individually," said Lee, who is batting .306 with 34 home runs. "You just go out there and try and do your job. My stroke has just been more consistent this year. Day in and day out, I've been able to take good swings. Last year, I just fell off completely in the second half.
"Numbers aren't important. Winning is the only thing that matters."
The Cubs aren't going to the postseason, but they did improve to 77-72. After a slow start to the season, Lee has been a model of consistency in a turbulent season for the Cubs.
"Since the middle of May on, this guy here has basically hit the ball as well as anybody in this league, not only for average but for power and RBI production," said manager Lou Piniella. "Tied his career high? Good for him. He's really had an outstanding season."
Lee singled home 2 in the first inning, as the Cubs scored 4 off Brewers starter Braden Looper. That inning also featured a sacrifice fly by rookie Tyler Colvin in his first major-league plate appearance. Colvin singled his next time up and walked in the fifth.
"That actually made me relax a little bit, having a man in scoring position and going up there with a plan to get the guy in," Colvin said of the sacrifice fly.
Colvin figures into the Cubs' future plans, as does lefty Tom Gorzelanny, who started and improved to 6-2 overall and to 3-1 with the Cubs since his July 30 trade from the Pirates. Gorzelanny lasted 5 innings, giving up 6 hits and 2 runs.
"We like Gorzelanny," Piniella said. "He's got a spot here, whether it be pitching in the middle in the bullpen or whether it's being as a fourth or fifth starter. We'll have to just wait and see what happens here over the winter."
Before the game, Piniella seemed optimistic about the future. Maybe it was winning the final game in St. Louis Sunday and beginning fresh without the distractions caused by suspended outfielder Milton Bradley.
"There's some good talent here," Piniella said. "With a little touch here and a little touch there, we could be right back to where we were last year."
<p class="factboxheadblack">Bruce Miles' game tracker</p> <p class="News"><b>Lee and Aramis:</b> Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez hit back-to-back homers in the second inning. It marks the 33rd time the duo has homered in the same game. </p> <p class="News"><b>Strikeout night:</b> Starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny tied a career high with 9 strikeouts. He last did it in August 2007 while with the Pirates.</p> <p class="News"><b>Nice debut:</b> Tyler Colvin started in center field in his first major-league game. He hit a sacrifice fly and a single. He also walked and grounded out twice.</p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=323154">Piniella ready for Cubs to move on<span class="date"> [9/21/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=323180">Opportunity can come calling<span class="date"> [9/21/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>