Cubs 22-15, 1st (tie)
Diamonbacks 23-15, 1st (+3.5)
POTG: LF-CF Reed Johnson (2R HR)
Runner Up: RF Fukudome (2 H, R), PH Daryle Ward (2B, 2 RBI), RP Michael Wuertz (4 pitches, 3 outs!)
Whoever decided to play “Rubber Band Man” for Marmol deserves a bonus.
This was a total success. Gallagher didn’t pitch great, but kept the Cubs in it and you might as well see what he does in a start he actually knows is coming. Chad Fox was pretty bad coming in with runners on base but at least turned in a solid inning. Michael Wuertz was effective, oddly enough. Marmol was dominate and Kerry continued towards his goal of leading the league in HBP for a third time despite being a reliever.
It does say something about Alfonso Soriano’s superstar status that Pinella made the (wise!) move of using him as a IBB decoy to set up Ward. I don’t think Pujols would be used to set up Ward. More to the point, I think Lou would have Ward bat first and take the walk rather than Lee or Ram. Maybe it’s was just the injury or the conditions, but there did seem to be some hidden honesty in that moment.
That situation never happens if Reed Johnson doesn’t hit the two run home run the inning before. Juan Cruz sure did not have his best stuff Sunday afternoon, but a game tying home run is a game tying home run regardless of how it comes. I’ve been down on Reed lately, because he’s really cooled off and resembled the player the Blue Jays let go of in March – even with this hit, he’s dropped 70 points of his batting average since April 27 and his slugging number was Neifi Perez like before this home run. What he does have is great timing, getting the big hits just enough to be fondly remembered.
Wish someone asked what the deal was with Ram’s delayed steal. I still can’t quite believe it worked.
The really big success story here is the Cubs got a win, and a series sweep, without using Carlos Zambrano. Sure, it was a fair battle after Arizona pulled the Big Unit too, but what I’m really happy about is that means Z starts tonight. Tonight, when I’ve got tickets in row 11. This weekend could not have worked out any better.