So much for the Cubs bats breaking out.  Javier Vazquez shut down the Cubs offense for the 2nd time this year as the Cubs fell 2-1.  Tuesday night, the Cubs managed just 5 hits against Vazquez, scoring their lone run on a 2-out single by Koyie Hill in the 2nd inning.  Vazquez did not walk a batter and struck out 6 as the Cubs left 12 men on base.  Vazquez ERA is now 2.95 and his WHIP is 1.05. Vazquez has dominated the Cubs this season in 2 wins – 13 2/3 innings pitched, 1 ER, 14 hits, 2 walks & 11 K’s.

Braves closer Rafael Soriano put the clamps down on the Cubs in the 9th inning earning his 9th save.  Soriano now has a 1.59 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP – amazing.

Aramais Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano each had 2 hits for the Cubs.  Carlos Zambrano made the start on 3 days rest and threw 91 pitches in an efficient 6 inning start.  He took the loss though – giving up 2 ER on 5 hits and 3 walks, with 6 K’s.  Big Z fell to 4-4 on the 2009 MLB schedule.

The Cubs fell to 41-40 on the season, and with the Cardinals 5-0 win over the Brewers, the Cubs are now 3 games out of 1st place in the NL Central.

The loss of Ryan Dempster to the disabled list with a broken toe also forced the Cubs to recall Kevin Hart to start Wednesday’s afternoon finale against Kenshin Kawakami.  Kawakami held the Cubs to just 3 ER in 7 innings of a Braves 6-5 win in Atlanta back on June 2nd.