Houston, You Have a Problem
Soto Homer Caps Rousing Comeback 5-4 Win

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

If this season didn't make us so damn sad, we'd be pretty excited about yesterday's come-from-behind win. Rookie Casey Coleman spotted the Astros four runs in the second inning, but then he and the rest of the bullpen shut 'em down for the rest of the game. Meanwhile, Marlon Byrd got things going with a two-run homer in the third, and Jeff Baker tied it with a double in the fifth. Geovany Soto cranked a solo homer in the eighth to put the Cubs ahead, and that was that. Nice.

ESPN Chicago: Geovany Soto's HR in 8th the difference as Cubs clip... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Soto has big day at the plate
Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs' Soto gets blast laugh
Daily Herald: Castro gets a day off, but Soto homers to help Cubs...
MLB: Soto does it all in victory over Astros [+ video]

Grab Some Bench
Quade Sits Castro After Bone-Headed Move on Sunday
Interim manager Mike Quade gave Starlin Castro a little tough love yesterday and sat him on the bench. Why? During Sunday's 18-5 loss, the rookie lost track of the outs and didn't run out a grounder. Quade was rightfully peeved, saying Castro needed a game to "keep an eye on things and maybe reflect a little bit." We like the move, and the kid could probably use a day off. The Trib thinks GM Jim Hendry was likely "impressed" by Quade's boldness — now, when is Alfonso Soriano going to see some pine?

Chicago Tribune: Quade makes point with Castro, possibly wins points with...
Chicago Sun-Times: Quade decides to bench Castro to avoid relapse
CSN Chicago: Time for Castro to clear his head

Ouch in Iowa
Minor League Team Loses Heartbreaker, Misses Playoffs
We figured the Iowa Cubs had it in the bag when they were up 6-3 in the seventh in the crucial game against Memphis (the winner was headed to the playoffs, the loser was going home). But the Redbirds kept chipping away, then won it on a solo homer in the top of the ninth. The Cubs had the tying run at third in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't bring it on home. Jason DuBois' two homers weren't enough, so skipper Ryne Sandberg came up a game short. Painful.

MiLB: Cubs season ends in heartbreaking loss
MLB: I-Cubs' season ends with loss to Memphis

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A Different Era
Williams Overcame Racism to Earn Statue at Wrigley
The unveiling of Billy Williams' statute today gives us a chance to look back at the sweet-swinging six-time All-Star. Williams overcame appalling racism to reach the majors, such as being forced to eat on his team's bus because he wasn't allowed into a restaurant. A disgusted Williams gave up and moved back to his hometown of Whistler, Alabama. Thankfully, Buck O'Neil, the Cubs' coach who went on to become the first black coach in the majors, convinced him to come back, and Williams went on to hit 426 homers over his 18-year career. Congratulations, Billy.

Chicago Breaking Sports: Williams' statue has special meaning for... [+ video]

Enjoying Some Schadenfreude
Cardinals Are Falling Apart in Glorious Ways
As we've pointed out before, it's bad enough that the Cubs haven't won it all since Moses was in short pants. Worse, over the last several years, the Red Sox have won it (twice!), the White Sox won (ugh)... and the Cardinals won it in 2006. So painful. But this year, the hated Cards are melting down worse than Milton Bradley after a valet dings his bumper. As Cubbies Crib notes, the heavily favored team is six games out of first, teammates are bickering at each other, and LaRussa might be done. Our joyful reaction: Ha-ha!

Cubbies Crib: The Cardinals are falling apart, and I love it

Aramis Ramirez sat out and received treatment on his injured right quad... The Double-AA Tennessee Smokies finished the season 86-53, their best record ever... If you're driving to Wrigley for a night game, be sure to check out The Expired Meter for the best parking advice.

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