Can't win 'em all

The Cubs guaranteed they will not go 162-0 Tuesday with a 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Astros. Derrek Lee made me happy by driving a ball to right center (something he was loathe to do last year) to drive in a run, and Soriano first-degree murdered a pitch from LaTroy Hawkins to tie it up in the eighth. But other than that, the Cubs just never got much going against Wandy Rodriguez and five relievers, as they tallied just six hits total.

Hopefully the Cubs can show a little more juice at Minute Maid tonight against Brian Moehler, the beginning of the very average part of Houston's rotation. Moehler was 1-2 with a 3.68 ERA against the Cubs last year. Ted Lilly will get his first start for the Cubs--he owned the Astros in 2008, going 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA.

It was nice to see Theriot batting second against the lefty Rodriguez (and he went 2-3 with a run scored), and also nice to see Reed Johnson get a start (1-3 with a walk). Ryan Dempster looked pretty strong, giving up two runs over six innings, and Neal Cotts got tagged with the loss though he didn't pitch that poorly.

Soto left the game with shoulder soreness, and will be out tonight but hopefully back Friday. Koyie Hill did throw out Kaz Matsui trying to steal in Tuesday's game.

Notes

• Koyie Hill, Aaron Miles and Reed Johnson all played at some point last night, meaning the only players on the 25-man roster yet to see action are relievers David Patton and Luis Vizcaino.
  
• Milton Bradley is still trying to find that first hit--he's 0-7 with a walk.
• Angel Guzman pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.
• Alfonso Soriano hit home runs in back-to-back games for the first time since last Aug. 5-6, also against Houston at Minute Maid Park.

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