It's Alive! Aliiiive!
Ramirez and Cubs' Bats Come Back to Life

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Everything that's been bad about the Cubs offense was all good last night. The much-maligned Aramis Ramirez had his first three-hit game of the season, delivering a home run and 2 RBIs. Derrek Lee had two hits and the surprising Tyler Colvin hit his 6th homer of the year — an upper deck shot to right that made Bob Brenly go "Whoa." This was one of those games where the pitching was just good enough to keep the Cubs in the game and the offense came through to get the job done. It's amazing how smooth a game can feel when you put eight runs on the board. There's no better way to snap a four-game skid.

ESPN Chicago: Rookie Colvin helps Cubs end four-game skid... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Cubs break out in 8-5 victory over Astros
Chicago Sun-Times: Colvin brings booming bat to Cubs
Daily Herald: Piniella's lineup changes pay off with 8-5 win over Astros
MLB: Ramirez, Colvin homer as Cubs break out [+ video]

Cashing in Too Soon?
Piniella Ready to Put Rookie Cashner in the Fire
When rookie fireballer Andrew Cashner was brought up to the majors and put into the 'pen, Piniella said he'd "ease" the rookie into life in the bigs. By that he meant he'd use Cashner earlier in the game in lower pressure situations so as to not damage the young man's confidence. Either that easing is now over or Lou is desperate for help in the 7th and 8th innings, because it appears he's ready to use Cashner along with Sean Marshall as the main setup guys. That didn't take long, did it?

Chicago Tribune: Cubs' Cashner may be moving into setup role soon
MLB: Cashner makes impression in return home

Russian Roulette or Musical Chairs?
Cubs' Lineup in Constant State of Flux
First, Lou Piniella decided he needed to bench Geovany Soto and Kosuke Fukudome because their slumps were making him grumpy. Totally understandable — we think all Cubs fans were frustrated with their freefall in production. But now that Tyler Colvin refuses to hit like an rookie, there's talk of starting him even more than Lou promised at the end of spring training. Colvin has certainly earned it by hitting every time he's gotten an opportunity, but what will happen with Fukudome if Colvin receives more playing time? Don't worry, Lou will take care of it.

Chicago Breaking Sports: Piniella explains Cubs' new lineup
Chicago Breaking Sports: Fukudome not concerned about falling average
CSN Chicago: Colvin forces his way onto the field

Insider Trading
Cubs Might Look to Trade Gorzelanny
What's the saying? You can never have too much pitching? Well, the Cubs might think otherwise now that Carlos Zambrano is back in the rotation. The Sun-Times suggests if the current rotation continues to perform, the Cubs would consider trading Tom Gorzelanny to a team in need of a lefty starting pitcher. Oh well — we suppose it makes sense, especially if the Cubs can turn their abundance of starters into a bullpen reliever that can actually get people out (sorry, John Grabow). Let's just hope none of the starters gets hurt and Big Z regains his edge — otherwise the team might regret the day they traded away "Gorzo."

Chicago Sun-Times: Gorzelanny possible hot trade commodity

We can't vouch for the authenticity, but make sure to follow Tyler Colvin's mom on Twitter... Micah Hoffpauir is 8 for his last 14 with a home run after a slow start at AAA Iowa... Want to know what it's like to sing "Go Cubs Go" from the bleachers in Wrigley Field?

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