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Cubs Mon Jun 21 2010
Cubs Rout Angels, Win 12-1
Less then 24 hours after being shellacked by the Angels 12-0, the Cubs return the favor with a beat-down of their own. Just trying to avoid being swept by the league best Angels the Cubs offense finally came to life. The last time the Cubs had won with 10 runs or more you have to go back to May 7, when Starlin Castro and company beat the Cincinnati Reds 14-7. To say they were due for a blowout victory is an understatement.
They started scoring right off the bat in the bottom of the first. An errant throw by Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick resulted in an infield single by Alfonso Soriano. Two scored as result of the defensive miscue. The Cubs continued to pour it on scoring again in the second and third innings respectively.
They put the game out of reach in the third inning. Geovany Soto lead off the inning with his eighth home run of the season and Derrek Lee eventually knocked in two with a bases loaded double. They added on in the later innings, but the game was ultimately over by the third. Which was more then enough for Carlos Zambrano to work with.
Zambrano had his best start Sunday afternoon since returning to the rotation. Seven innings pitched, eight hits, one run and seven strikeouts. His defense helped him out by turning three double plays. Big Z even had a nice afternoon at the plate. Two hits and an RBI for El Toro. Despite not playing fundamentally sound baseball in the first two games of this series all was right in Wrigleyville after this win, for the moment anyways.
It seemed almost fitting that the Cubs came out swinging after having their rear ends handed to them by the Halos. It was a long time coming for the Northsiders. Today's game does make you wonder whether or not this was just a small outburst or something that is going to lead to bigger and better things.
Fans have been waiting all season for this team, which has talent, to play at the level they are capable of. For all intents and purposes, this team should not be playing below .500 ball, but the reality is they are. Today's win was nice, but it's tough to say whether or not this team can turn it around. The talent on this team suggest yes, that these guys are way too good not to be winning, but what looks good on paper doesn't necessarily mean it will be good on the field.
The Cubs are off on Monday as they open a short three game series in Seattle Tuesday night. Where they will take on their old friend Milton Bradley. While Seattle boasts one of the worst records in baseball they are not to be taken for granted. They just completed a weekend sweep of the first place Reds.
Ryan Dempster ( 5-5, ERA 3.67 ) will take on the Mariners Jason Vargas ( 5-2, ERA 2.88 ). Game time is 9:10 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on Comcast Sports Net plus and heard on WGN Radio 720 AM.
