(from BNB)
Cubs 2 Pirates 0
For the first time since July 8 – July 10 against the Marlins,
the Cubs earned a series sweep. I know it is the Pirates, but a sweep is a sweep. The 2005 Cubs have not beaten the teams they should and this weekend they did. Jerome Williams had a very good outing. He went 7 1/3, allowing only 4 hits while striking out 5. The bullpen held the lead and Dempster recorded his 22 save of the year.
Nomar continued his hot streak going 2 for 4 with his 2nd homer of the series, 6th overall. Burnie supplied the only other RBI the Cubs
needed. There were 2 times today the Cubs got a lead off double and failed to score. The lack of small ball might have cost them the game against a better team. But a win is still a win.
The Cubs are 4 games under with 26 left to play…now for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Monday – Labor Day in St. Louis
Mark Prior(10-5/3.72) vs. Jeff Suppan(13-10/3.90)
The Cubs start a 3 game series with the Cardinals. This is the last visit to the current Busch Stadium. The Cardinals will open their new park, inspired by Wrigley Field, in 2006. The Cubs have played very well against the Central Division and the Cardinals this year. Nomar gets a chance to return to St. Louis where his season was cut short in April. The Cardinals are tuning up for the playoffs and will look to beat up on the Cubbies. Dusty needs to play Murton and Cedeno to have a shot at winning this series. The Cubs are playing for pride and jobs at this point. Prior will have his hands full with the best offense in the National League. Who knows….maybe we will see another glimpse of the future in St. Louis this week…the Cards are getting old and the Cubs are getting younger by the day…I choose youth.
Shut down Pujols and…well….just win!