The Cubs were back at home tonight to start the second half of the season. And, they started it out with a bang. On a hot summer night Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto all hit home runs as the Cubs defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 12-6 giving 47-year-old Jamie Moyer his first loss at Wrigley Field since the 1988 season. Even Ryan Howard got into the act homering twice – once in the 1st inning and once in the 9th inning. This was Howard’s 25th career multi-homer game.

In the second inning, Starlin Castro stole home on a botched suicide squeeze as Ryan Dempster missed the bunt and the ball snuck by catcher Carlos Ruiz. He became the first Cubs player to steal home since Brian McRae achieved the feat on April 13, 1996 in San Francisco.

Pre Game Dining
Before the game, the Ultimate Sports Wife and I ate at a Turskish restaurant called Istanbul Restaurant located at 3613 N. Broadway just north of Addison St. We had received a coupon for a free appetizer so decided to try it out. If you are looking for a good Turkish restaurant before a Cubs game then this is the place for you. The food was good and it is just a few blocks from Wrigley Field. But, remember to bring your own alcohol as the restaurant is BYOB.