Aramis Ramirez 2HRs Finish the sox

after getting drenched for 30min walking into Wrigley Field today, I saw the Cubs rally from a 3-1 deficit to win the opening game of the cross town classic. Double plays did the Cubs in for the first 6 innings, namely Lee grounding into a double play in the first with a man on first and third. The run scored but stymied an early rally. Danks pitched well. He was pulled in the seventh. Strangely, Ozzie let him warm up first, then pulled him at the start of the 7th before the first pitch, appearantly to let Dotel get a few more warmup pitches. He needed a few more, as Derek Lee and Ramirez went deep on him, back to back to tie the game. Kerry Wood pitched out of a self created jam, having given up a leadoff double. He pitched well, striking out AJ on an appeal to 3rd base umpire, who rung him up. Ramirez topped it off by blasting a 410 foot shot to center field. His teammates gathered at home, jumping up and down, clapping and cheering while the still packed stands, filled with throngs of wrigley faithful chanted - go cubs go, go cubs go, hey Chicago whaddya say, the Cubs are gonna win today.

Wow! Cubs make comeback from 8 runs down

I had the pleasure to enjoy the Cubs miraculous comeback today at Wrigley field against the Colorado Rockies. The day started out gloomy, with drizzling rain all morning which delayed the start of the game by 22 minutes. Then, Ted Lilly quickly gave up 4 runs in the top of the first inning, which could have been more, if it weren't for one of today's stars Mark DeRosa. Lou Piniella decided to sit some of the starters, Theriot, Ramirez, etc. DeRosa made a leaping grab of a line shot down third base, reaching up over his head and grabbed a shot that was destined for the corner and a 3 bagger for sure.

Lilly then gave up 3 runs in the 3rd, and one each in the 4th and 5th. The ball was flying out of Wrigley left and right (mostly to left!) Colorado had 2 shots off the ivy, and one off the basket as well. If any of those left, the game may have been over. Leiber soon replaced Lilly.

The Cubs, down 8-1 in the 6th inning, scraped back, with a double into the ivy by Micah Hoffpauir, followed by home runs by Fukudome and Edmonds. In the 7th, the Cubs rallied and put up 6 runs on home runs by defensive replacement Henry Blanco, then DeRosa blasted one to left to put the Cubs up for good, 10-9. Kerry Wood closed it out in the 9th for his 13th save of the year.

What a rally! The crowd, happy they waited out the weather, enjoyed a great comeback, on what turned out to be a gorgeous day..the sun came out and was shining.
What a great win for the Cubs, their 5th in a row to keep them on top of MLB, with the best record in baseball.

Kid-K gets the Save on his 10th Aniversary

Kerry Wood notched the save against the Cincinnati Reds tonight in a 3-0 victory for the Chicago Cubs. It was 10 years ago today that Kerry Wood struck out 20 batters against the Houston Astros. Wow how time flies bye. Kerry Wood has never lived up to expectations though, having made numerous trips to the DL, Tommy John, but he does look pretty comfortable in the closer role. Lets hope he learns how to properly strike people out, without yielding the numerous Home Runs that he has in the past. A closer doesn't have that comfort zone, and every hit, walk and home run given up can sink the team. Here's Woody's old Rookie Card as we reminisce down memory lane with that gem of a game on May 6, 1998.

Chin Music

I dug the sign hanging outside of Wrigley this weekend, I'm sure it wasn't just the $6.25 Old Style's that makes this cool.

Kerry Wood: "I like Country Rock and Chin Music."


Check out Wrigley field famous sign live!

Extra innings

This is how to wear down your bullpen:
Cubs:
Monday: 12 innings. Win
Wednesday 15 innings. Win
Sunday: 10 innings. Win

Now, Jon Lieber has been invaluable to the bullpen, although I thought he should have been the #5 starter ahead of Jason (if I don't start, I don't want to be here) Marquis. He has the best attitude, and hell, he was the last 20 game winner for the Cubs!

Game notes: in Sunday's 10 inning win against Philly, I was surprised that Pinnella used Carlos Zambrano to pinch hit for Kerry Wood in the 10th inning. Although, his routine grounder was thrown by Chase Utley into the dugout letting the winning run score, it would have otherwise been a double play. The Cubs had no one left on their bench, having used everyone else but the relief pitchers and other starters. I would have left Kerry Wood in, even if you were going to bring in Howry in the 11th....Wood has some pop in his bat, and has a decent eye at the plate for a pitcher. This way, you could still use Zambrano in later innings as needed. Alas, I don't get paid millions to make that decision, at least they won!

right closer?

After blowing a 0-0 game in the ninth on opening day, Kerry Wood has settled down and notched his 3rd save in 3 oportunities during the first week of baseball in 2008. Let's keep up the heat and keep shutting them down.