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MattClementsGoatee · 07-27-2011, 03:08 PM

May 11, 2011

Chicago, Illinois

Fresh off a 5-2 west coast swing, the Cubs were back in town for a nine game homestand, facing division rivals the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. Taking two of three from the Reds, thanks to dominating performances by Carlos Zambrano, who finally looks to be returning to form, and newly-acquired fireballer Max Scherzer. At an unexpected 19-15 to begin the season, the Cubs found themselves at a pivotal point going into their most important series of the season, a three game set against the Cardinals, and more importantly, Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, and perhaps their ace of the season so far, southpaw Jaime Garcia.

Esmailin Caridad let a late lead slip away for the Cubs in game one, taking the loss while Mitchell Boggs picked up his first win of the young campaign. The tell-tale signs of Cubs' heartbreak littered the game; runners left on base, the Cubs' staff ushering many leadoff walks, and the most damning of all, a bullpen collapse. Things didn't look any better going into game two against Chris Carpenter, but the Cubs most consistent pitcher so far, Ryan Dempster, matched Carpenter pitch for pitch, eventually tossing 8 scoreless innings only to have a no-decision.

Last night's goat Esmailin Caridad allowed a leadoff double to young thirdsacker David Freese in the eleventh, but got Pujols looking on a devestating change-up set up by a high-nineties fastball the previous pitch. A walk to Holliday and another walk to Berkman [both unintentional] brought up struggling backstop Yadier Molina, who promptly ended the Cardinals' scoring chance with a 4-6-3 twin killing, with Starlin Castro making an incredible turn with Berkman bearing down on him. Newly acquired RF Desmond Jennings, making his first start for the Chicago Cubs, led off the inning with a triple. An ill-advised diving attempt by Matt Holiday allowed the ball trickle into Wrigley Field's "well", the cavernous left field alcove where speedsters thrive. Struggling shortstop Starlin Castro worked a walk to set up runners on the corner, and Aramis Ramirez and the Cubs walked off with a sacrifice fly.

Just under a fourth of the way done, the second-place Cubs look to contend [20-16; 4 games back of the Cardinals], with solid pitching and timely hitting. GM Jim Hendry found a new life, making several deals to bolster the Cubs pitching staff and outfield, while clearing up salary to make a run at a top free-agent this off-season. Stay tuned.

07-27-2011, 03:08 PM	#3
MattClementsGoatee Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Jul 2011	Re: The Chicago Fire(sale) May 11, 2011 Chicago, Illinois Fresh off a 5-2 west coast swing, the Cubs were back in town for a nine game homestand, facing division rivals the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. Taking two of three from the Reds, thanks to dominating performances by Carlos Zambrano, who finally looks to be returning to form, and newly-acquired fireballer Max Scherzer. At an unexpected 19-15 to begin the season, the Cubs found themselves at a pivotal point going into their most important series of the season, a three game set against the Cardinals, and more importantly, Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, and perhaps their ace of the season so far, southpaw Jaime Garcia. Esmailin Caridad let a late lead slip away for the Cubs in game one, taking the loss while Mitchell Boggs picked up his first win of the young campaign. The tell-tale signs of Cubs' heartbreak littered the game; runners left on base, the Cubs' staff ushering many leadoff walks, and the most damning of all, a bullpen collapse. Things didn't look any better going into game two against Chris Carpenter, but the Cubs most consistent pitcher so far, Ryan Dempster, matched Carpenter pitch for pitch, eventually tossing 8 scoreless innings only to have a no-decision. Last night's goat Esmailin Caridad allowed a leadoff double to young thirdsacker David Freese in the eleventh, but got Pujols looking on a devestating change-up set up by a high-nineties fastball the previous pitch. A walk to Holliday and another walk to Berkman [both unintentional] brought up struggling backstop Yadier Molina, who promptly ended the Cardinals' scoring chance with a 4-6-3 twin killing, with Starlin Castro making an incredible turn with Berkman bearing down on him. Newly acquired RF Desmond Jennings, making his first start for the Chicago Cubs, led off the inning with a triple. An ill-advised diving attempt by Matt Holiday allowed the ball trickle into Wrigley Field's "well", the cavernous left field alcove where speedsters thrive. Struggling shortstop Starlin Castro worked a walk to set up runners on the corner, and Aramis Ramirez and the Cubs walked off with a sacrifice fly. Just under a fourth of the way done, the second-place Cubs look to contend [20-16; 4 games back of the Cardinals], with solid pitching and timely hitting. GM Jim Hendry found a new life, making several deals to bolster the Cubs pitching staff and outfield, while clearing up salary to make a run at a top free-agent this off-season. Stay tuned.