The Cubs took the series finale today and finished their homestand 8-2. Yesterday I referred to the game as one of the 60 losses you almost surely chalk up during the year. The win today was one of the middle 42 games that good teams win and bad teams lose.
On a day where the Cubs managed only four hits, they squeaked out a 4-3 win. They took advantage of walks, stole bases, and got timely hitting to make the most of the few hits they could muster. In the three innings they scored, they had only one hit in each. All four Cubs that scored, originally reached base on walks.
Jason Marquis wasn't fabulous, but he managed. He gave up a two run homer in the first, but battled through six innings only giving up one more run. Then the bullpen did it's job. It was in full shutdown mode today. Allowing only three base runners in three innings, and recording strike outs for five of their nine outs, Bob Howry, Carlos Marmol, and Kerry Wood..save number ten, good for fifth place in the NL....showed fans what dominant pitching can do.
The Pirates ran out another lefty, so Edmonds continued to stay on the bench. Ronny Cedeno started at shortstop to give Ryan Theriot a rest. Micah Hoffpauir, called up to take Daryle Ward's roster spot, even got a pinch hitting opportunity today. Cedeno made the most of his opportunity with an RBI single.
The Cubs came into this homestand two games out of first place. They leave two games ahead of the Cardinals, in first place overall. They have definitely taken care of business at home, and now need to improve their play on the road. This week they are at Houston for three games and Pittsburgh...again, for their 10th, 11th, and 12th games this season...with a chance to prove they can win on the road.
No comments:
Post a Comment