Derrek Lee and the Cubs help drop the Marlins in the wild-card standings.
By Associated Press
Published September 12, 2004
CHICAGO - Derrek Lee was on the other side 11 months ago, leading the Marlins to victory in the championship series. Now his job is to keep Florida from getting back to the playoffs and to help the Cubs return.
"I got a lot of friends over there. But you got to put it aside and go out there and win games," Lee said after his three-run double in the eighth sent Chicago to a 5-2 victory.
The Cubs, who began the day one percentage point ahead of Houston and San Francisco, dropped the Marlins 21/2 games back.
"I can't say it does mean more to beat your former team because I didn't like leave on a bitter note," Lee said. "These are big games, so it feels good to win. They mean a lot."
Lee, who had key hits for the Marlins in October in Game 6 and Game 7 of the NLCS at Wrigley Field, has been a steady presence in the field and at the plate for the Cubs. And he's got the postseason experience after helping the Marlins beat the Yankees in the World Series.
"We were talking about it today. How funny it is. You play 130-some-odd games, and you got three teams tied for the wild card," Lee said. "It's pretty rare, so it's going to be fun and will probably come down to the last week. Whoever gets on a roll will probably come out of it."
The Cubs came back from a 2-0 deficit and tied the score in the eighth on a run-scoring single by Sammy Sosa, who was dropped to sixth in the batting order for the first time in 10 years and was booed loudly after striking out in his first two at-bats.
"I don't have a problem with that," Sosa said. "If that is going to help the ballclub, it's okay with me."
Neifi Perez hit an infield single to shortstop, and when Alex Gonzalez's low throw got by Jeff Conine for an error, Perez raced to second and slid around Luis Castillo's tag. Sosa delivered a tying single.
After Guillermo Mota plunked Mark Grudzielanek with a pitch and Michael Barrett struck out while trying to bunt, Matt Perisho relieved and gave up a single to pinch-hitter Todd Walker that loaded the bases.
After a line out, Lee drove a 3-and-2 pitch from Rudy Seanez to left-center, clearing the bases. Ryan Dempster got the win in relief of Carlos Zambrano, and LaTroy Hawkins pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 27 chances.
"Our bullpen is our strong suit, but it didn't pay off today," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "Guys are due to have a rough outing every once in a while."
Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (groin) left after the fifth.
