Theriot single lifts Cubs over Twins 3-2

[June 15, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Ryan Theriot drove in Derrek Lee with a bases-loaded single with one out in the ninth, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 Sunday to snap a four-game losing streak following a coaching shakeup earlier in the day.

After Carlos Marmol (2-1) escaped a jam in the top of the ninth, the Cubs pulled it out in the bottom half and avoided a three-game sweep.

Lee started the winning rally with a one-out single off Jesse Crain (2-3) and moved to third on a base hit by Geovany Soto, barely beating the throw. After Soto took second, the Twins then intentionally walked Mike Fontenot to bring up Theriot, who lined a single past second baseman Nick Punto and then got mobbed by his teammates.

Clearly, the Cubs needed this.

General manager Jim Hendry fired hitting coach Gerald Perry and replaced him with Von Joshua before the game, hoping to shake up a lineup that has been in a season-long slump. Things were particularly bad of late, with the Cubs scoring one run or less in three of the previous four games.

Chicago had little luck against Scott Baker but another solid start by Ted Lilly kept the Twins in check. Neither figured in the decision. Both pitchers allowed two runs and did not walk a batter.

Baker gave up just five hits and struck out five in seven innings.

Lilly struck out six and allowed nine hits. He left to cheers with two out in the eighth and the game tied at 2 with runners on first and second. Marmol came in and retired Carlos Gomez, who had homered ealier, on a foul pop to end the threat and escaped trouble in the ninth.

Marmol walked pinch hitter Brian Buscher and Matt Tolbert with one out. That set the stage for Joe Mauer, who brought a .408 average into the game and already had three hits. This time, he popped out to Theriot, who barely avoided a collision with Alfonso Soriano in shallow left, and Justin Morneau grounded out.

The slumping Soto had three hits for the Cubs. Theriot and Lee, who extended his hitting streak to 13 games, had two apiece, but the late dramatics aside, it was a rather quiet afternoon at the plate for the Cubs.

With a .246 average, Hendry decided to make a change. So he called on Joshua, the hitting coach at Triple-A Iowa.

Notes: Twins 3B Joe Crede was scratched from the lineup because of a stiff lower back. ... OF Michael Cuddyer flew home Sunday morning to have his right index finger examined by a specialist and might go on the disabled list, manager Ron Gardenhire said. Cuddyer, who missed four games after spraining a ligament May 31, aggravated the condition Friday and did not play Saturday. "I can't see Cuddy bouncing back unless we get a miracle," Gardenhire said. ... The Twins are also without OF Denard Span, who has an inner ear infection and has been experiencing dizziness. He will see a thyroid specialist Tuesday, Gardenhire said. Span is currently on medication for an inner ear infection. ... Chicago had lost six straight interleague games. ... Joshua is expected to join the Cubs on Tuesday.

[Associated Press; By ANDREW SELIGMAN]

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