Game Seventy-Five - Cubs 4 Pirates 1
WP - Randy Wells (3-3) LP - Virgil Vasquez (1-1) Save - Kevin Gregg (14)

The Cubs rebounded from a horrible game on Tuesday night behind another tremendous effort by Randy Wells ... and a refreshing performance by Sam Fuld. Lou Piniella's crew picked up their first series win on the road since taking two of three from the Reds at the beginning of June (June 5 - June 7).

The real Lou Piniella finally showed up in the sixth inning. Piniella was ejected for the first time this season for arguing a close play at first base. With runners on first and second with two outs, Randy Wells hit a bouncer back to Virgil Vasquez. The Pirates' pitcher bobbled the ball then threw a strike to Adam LaRoche at first. Wells appeared to beat the throw but was called out by first base umpire Chad Fairchild.

Lou Piniella ran out from the dugout, got into the umpires face, took off his cap and held it momentarily before slamming it to the ground. Fairchild ejected Piniella immediately and the Cubs' manager continued to argue his case. The fire that had been missing from Piniella was on display for the first time since July of last season.

Sam Fuld started the game in left for Alfonso Soriano and made an impact on the game's first pitch. Fuld ripped a double to right, his first big league hit, to start the game and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Theriot. Derrek Lee followed with his 12th home run of the year ro right center and gave Randy Wells all the runs he would need.

Not only did Sam Fuld reach base in three of his five trips to the plate (2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a walk), he kept the tying run from scoring in the fifth inning. Up by a score of 2-1 and Pirates on first and second with two outs, Freddy Sanchez lined a single to left. Sam Fuld put himself into perfect position and threw a one-hop strike to Geovany Soto to cut down Jack Wilson at the plate, his second career outfield assist.

Fuld many several fine catches in left and took routes to balls that kept the Pirates from taking extra bases on singles to left center ... and to complete the night, Fuld caught the game's last three outs.

Randy Wells put together another quality start (eighth in ten games) and won his third game in a row. Wells completed seven strong innings for the fifth time in 10 starts and surrendered only one run on six hits in seven innings ... with a walk and four strikeouts on 97 pitches, 66 for strikes. Wells continued to keep the ball down and 12 of the 16 outs on balls put in play were on the ground.

Kosuke Fukudome turned in a 2-for-4 performance that included a double and his first home run since May 26. Fukudome's solo shot that just cleared the wall in the sixth gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead.

The Cubs defense made several highlight reel plays on Wednesday night behind Randy Wells. Andres Blanco continued to prove his worth in the field and Kosuke Fukudome added a fine diving catch in center ... and while it might not be textbook plays, Jake Fox continued to be more than serviceable at third base.

The Cubs finished their 10-game, four city road trip with a disappointing 3-7 record but have shown signs they could be more than just a .500 team ...