Game One Hundred Twenty-Seven – Cubs 11 Phillies 2
Where has this been all series? The Cubs had not had a lead in a game since last Saturday when they beat the Cardinals and had been out played the first 3 games against the Phillies, but not on Thursday. After surrendering a run in the 1st inning, Zambrano did not allow another until the 7th and the offense supplied more than enough runs for Z to pick up his 14th win of the season. Zambrano became the first 14-game winner in the NL, he allowed 2 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings, struck out 7 and walked just 1. Jae Kuk Ryu mopped up with 2 scoreless innings but the real story on the day was the offensive explosion.
The Cubs scored 11 runs on 13 hits and were backed by 4 home runs including back-to-back jacks in the 4th by Aramis Ramirez and Phil Nevin. The Cubs scored all of their runs in the first 4 innings, Zambrano went on cruise control and the Cubs avoided being swept at home by the Phillies. The Cubs scored 4 runs in the 1st, 5 more in the 3rd and 2 in the 4th. Michael Barrett hit his 16th home run in the 1st to tie a career high. Aramis Ramirez went 3-5, hit his 31st home run of the year and was a double short of the cycle. Angel Pagan hit a huge 3-run homer to center in the 3rd and Ramirez and Phil Nevin went back-to-back….4 home runs, not a bad day and they left only 4 on base. Every starter with the exception of Ronny Cedeno recorded a hit, Buck Coats made his debut in center field and Ryan Theriot continued to impress with a 2-5 day.
Phillies’ starter, Cole Hamels, gave up 5 runs on 9 hits in 2+ innings. The Cubs salvaged the last game of the series and of the homestand.
Juan Mateo will start on Friday in St. Louis against Jeff Suppan, the Cardinals could be tied for first with the Reds by game time, the Cubs could play spoiler to their long-time rival….wouldn’t that be great!!!!