Aug. 12 – 14, 2008
At Turner Field, Atlanta
Game 1: Cubs 10, Braves 2
Game 2: Cubs 8, Braves 0
Game 2: Cubs 11, Braves 7

Former Brave Mark DeRosa -- who still has a house in the Atlanta area -- hosted a party at his place on Monday night prior to the start of the Cubs/Braves three-game series to enhance team unanimity as the Cubs embarked on a crucial road trip.

The team-building exercise -- which included a Speedo-clad Lou Piniella do cannonballs into DeRosa's pool -- apparently worked as the Cubs pounded the Braves into submission over three games to finish off a season sweep of the once proud franchise. Game one was washed out by rain, forcing the teams to play a double-dip Wednesday.

The double-header was highlighted by a loafing Alfonso Soriano, who in the eighth inning of game one thought he had hit a home run only to watch his deep fly ball hit the base of the wall, leaving him with a single. The Braves took exception, and in the next inning reliever Francisley Bueno fired one over the head of the Cubs' $136 million man, barely missing the slugger's cranium. Bueno was immediately tossed from the game, fined, suspended and subsequently sent back to the minors. The Cubs sought revenge one day later when starter Ted Lilly plunked Yunel Escobar in the sixth, causing both benches to empty, but no punches were thrown. As the Braves retreated into the dugout -- a defeated bunch -- their crotchety manager Bobby Cox longed for the days of when his team was actually good. 

Cubs at the Plate
The road woes may be a thing of the past as the Cubs pounded out 29 runs on 28 hits over three games. Geovany Soto and Aramis Ramirez led the way with six RBI apiece. Kosuke Fukudome showed signs he is coming out of his four-month slump by actually putting wood on the ball five times in series.

Cubs on the Mound
All three starters -- Jason Marquis, Rich Harden and Lilly -- each earned wins. After giving up another home run, his 3 zillionth served this season, "Bad" Bob Howry getting ready for his unconditional release.    

Braves at the Plate
They got beat by Jason Marquis. Enough said.

Braves on the mound
Long gone are the glory days of Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz. Guys like Charlie Morton, Buddy Carlyle and Jorge Campillo are just not getting the job done.

Quote of the series
"That's the biggest splash I've seen since I let Randall Simon use the pool back in '99." -- Mark DeRosa, commenting on Lou Piniella's cannonball jump that launched water across an eight mile radius of suburban Atlanta. 

Number of the series: 27
With their current four-game win streak, games over .500 for the Cubs on the season. Their high-water mark since ... well, it's been a really really long time. 

Next up for the Cubs
That dreaded trip to South Beach, where the Cubs haven't won since the Marlins came into existence in 1993. Game one starts Friday at 6:10 p.m. with a Big Z crotch adjustment from the big fish bowl.

By Jeremy Barewin