Kerry Wood came into the game in the ninth inning with a two run lead. He had the 5, 6, 7 hitters coming up. The game seemed well in hand for the Cubs. Far from it.
He walked the first two before Adam Kennedy doubled, scoring one and putting the tying and winning runs in scoring position with no one out. After an intentional walk, he induced a ground ball force at home and a pop up to shortstop. For a brief moment it seemed possible he could still get the save.
But with two outs, Rick Ankiel singled to center scoring two runs and ending the game. The Cubs, who have been so good at coming back late and winning, got a taste of their own medicine. It was a heartbreaking defeat. The Cubs were one inning away from taking the first two games of the series and setting their sights on the sweep. Now they are going to be fighting to take two out of three and the momentum has shifted to St. Louis.
Silver Linings:
- Aramis Ramirez ended his drought of 28 hitless at bats with a two run homer in the eighth.
- Derek Lee has a five game hit streak in which he is 10 for 21
- Mark DeRosa had a couple hits including a solo home run. The home run was his eleventh of the year, only two shy of his career best.
- Ted Lilly pitched a nice game, going six innings, striking out five.
- Carlos Marmol didn't give up a three run home run.
1 comment:
Exactly the sentiment I was looking for. The way we have been playing hasn't been anything to be excited about. The thought of winning two against the Cardinals had me thinking we could build some momentum, especially with Ramirez going deep.
Instead it is more of the same. Win one, lose one.
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