The Cubs seemed to put their hitting and pitching woes from NY behind them with a convincing 8-1 win over the Brewers on Friday night in Milwaukee.  Ryan Dempster tossed 1-run ball for 7 2/3 innings, scattering 7 hits and 1 walk.  Ryan Theriot, Kosuke Fukudome, Marlon Byrd, Tyler Colvin and Koyie Hill each had 2 hits in the win.  Fukudome and Colvin stroked home runs in the hitter-friendly Miller Park.

The Cubs are leading the Brewers 5-1 in the 9th inning tonight.  Two good pitching signs for the Cubs.  Ted Lilly made his 2010 debut tossing 6 shutout innings, giving up just 3 hits and 2 walks.  Carlos Zambrano also made his 2010 debut – out of the bullpen – and he did well.  He recorded the final out of the 7th inning and then worked the 8th inning as well.  He did give up a run on 2 hits and a walk in the 8th.  But it looks like Lilly is back on track and ready to compete in 2010 and it looks like Big Z is capable and able out of the bullpen.

Go Cubs!  Let’s hope Randy Wells can spark a Brew Crew sweep in Sunday’s contest.