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Cubs Fri Jun 18 2010
Cubs Win 3-2 In Walkoff
If there was ever the time the Cubs needed a series win, today was the day. Cubs starter Randy Wells has lost his last five starts, due in large part to having destructive first innings. Today was different despite surrendering a few hits Wells made it out of the first unscathed. Credit Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd with a diving catch that saved a run from scoring.
With Wells pitching well all he would need is some offense. It came early in today's game in the form of Jeff Baker. He launched a solo home run of A's starter Dallas Braden. They have an opportunity to break the game wide open in their half of the first, but failed to score more then one despite having the bases loaded with only one out.
The score would remain in favor of the Cubs until the A's tied it at 1-1. It became a back-and-forth battle between the two until the ninth inning. Tied at 2-2 Kosuke Fukudome, who was brought on to pinch-hit earlier in the game delivered a game-winning bases loaded single. Fukudome who has been limited in playing time came through when his team needed him most.
Fukudome had two hits, despite not starting the game. He scored the tying run in the bottom of the eighth and drove in the winning run in the ninth. Fukudome has spent the past few days with his personal hitting coach and whatever the two worked on it paid off today.
It was encouraging to see Randy Wells pitch like his rookie year. He had a talk with Cubs adviser Greg Maddux, not a bad guy to ask for pitching advice. Hopefully he continues what he started today in his next start. Today was the Cubs first series win in their last five.
They haven't exactly been world beaters, but a win here and a win there, who knows what can happen. They remain only six games out of first behind the division leading Cincinnati Reds. Who also have been struggling. If the Cubs can continue the trend of winning series they can easily remain in the hunt. Especially in the Central.
Tomorrow the Cubs take on the Angels at Wrigley. It will mark the first time in history that Angels visit Wrigley Field. They were last team in interleague play who have yet to play at Wrigley. The Cubs have yet to go to Fenway this decade as well as Oakland.
Carlos Silva (8-1, ERA 2.39) will look to bounce back after losing his first game as a Cub last Saturday. He will be opposed by Angels starter Scott Kazmir (6-5, ERA 5.27). Game time tomorrow is 1:20 p.m. CT. It will air on Comcast Sports Net and can be heard on WGN Radio 720 AM.
