Harden’s debut is quite impressive

CHICAGO -- Rich Harden left his Cubs debut to a standing ovation with Chicago ahead by seven runs. The game, however, was far from over.

Harden struck out 10 for the Cubs, who gave up two runs in the eighth and then blew a five-run lead in the ninth inning before beating the San Francisco Giants, 8-7, Saturday on Reed Johnson’s single in the 11th.

Harden, acquired from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player deal Tuesday, easily spotted his fastball, getting it up to 98 mph when he struck out Rich Aurilia to end the fourth. He yielded only five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

“It’s a shame. Harden pitched really, really well, but the game got away from us a little bit in the eighth and ninth,” Cubs Manager Lou Piniella said. “It’s a win, what can I say?”

Sean Marshall singled to start the bottom of the 11th. Mark DeRosa walked, and Marshall was forced on Mike Fontenot’s bunt attempt. Johnson then singled to right and DeRosa slid home ahead of Emmanuel Burriss’ throw.

Around the league

Federal authorities and Major League Baseball are investigating Washington Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden and special assistant Jose Rijo for their possible roles in a growing financial scandal involving the signing of players from the Dominican Republic, several sources familiar with the probe told ESPN.com.