The Cubs continued to get good pitching and very little offense in their 2-1 victory against the Reds in the first game of the series. Carlos Zambrano pitched 6.2 innings, giving up just two hits and no earned runs. He also hit what would prove to be the game winning home run in the fifth inning. Zambrano’s victory was the 100th of his career.
After the game, Z announced that he will retire at the end of his current contract. He said he wants to spend more time with his family and see his daughters grow up. Z current contract runs through 2012 with a vesting option for 2013.
Zambrano runs so hot and cold, it’s difficult to take him seriously sometimes. Whether or not he is serious in this case, only time will tell. My prediction is that he will still be playing baseball after his current contract is up.
The Cubs got more good pitching on Saturday as Ryan Dempster gave up six hits and three runs (zero earned) over six innnigs in the Cubs 4-3 loss to the Reds. Dempster got a no-decision.
The Reds won the game in the 11th inning on a fielders choice grounder to third-baseman Mike Fontenot off the bat of Adam Rosales. Jay Bruce was on third base for the Reds and took off for home on contact. Fontenot made a high throw to the plate and Bruce slid in under the tag.
Both Derrick Lee and Reed Johnson contributed two hits apiece to continue their hot hitting. Bobby Scales and Geovany Soto each hit solo homeruns.
In the third and final game of the series, the Cubs won 6-3 in 14 innings. It was the Cubs fourth extra inning game in their last five games.
Randy Wells got the start for the Cubs and gave up seven hits and two earned runs over 6.2 innings. The strong outing moved Wells ERA to just 1.86. Jason Waddell got the hold, David Patton earned the victory and Angel Guzman got the save.
The Cubs scored three runs in the top of the 14th inning when Alfonso Soriano led off with his 14th HR of the season. Mike Fontenot added an RBI single and Reed Johnson and RBI double to cap the victory for the good guys. Ryan Theriot had a good day at the plate going 3-6 including a first inning HR off the Reds’ Bronson Arroyo.
The Cubs have an off day on Monday before taking on the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in a three game series starting Tuesday.
