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Cubs Sat Jul 17 2010
Cubs Win 4-3 On Ramirez Homer
Last night the Cubs busted out the big lumber with a 12-run out burst in their first game since the All-Star break. After witnessing a power display that has been seemingly lacking all year it begged the question of what they would do for an encore ? Subtract the offensive outburst and add some dramatics and you have Friday's game in a nut shell.
The Cubs scoring began with a bases loaded walk to Ted Lilly in the bottom of the fifth. The Phillies would retake the lead in the sixth, but the Cubs would come right back in their half of the sixth after none other than Aramis Ramirez delivered a two-out double. All-Star hero Marlon would smack a two-run homer on the first pitch to tie the game at 3-3.
Ramirez was not done for the day. He would provide a game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the eighth. Since returning from the disabled list he has posted some gaudy numbers, .358/.388/.765 (1.143 OPS) in 72 plate appearances, including six doubles, a triple, six home runs, 16 runs scored and 15 RBI in 17 games. Imagine where the Cubs would be had he been putting up these numbers all season long. Ramirez scored three of the four runs scored today.
Ted Lilly pitched seven solid innings. He retired the first ten batters he faced before surrendering a solo homer to the Phillies Shane Victorino. Lilly struck out ten and gave up three earned runs. Today was type of outing fans have come to expect out of Lilly since he joined the team back in 2007.
With the Cubs leading in the ninth Carlos Marmol was called upon to save it and he did just that. In fact Marmol struck out the side. That is now 81 strike outs in just 42.2 innings.
It's nice to see the Cubs playing well coming off the All-Star break, but you have to wonder is it too little too late? Teams have come back from deficits like the one the Cubs are currently in, but whether or not they can keep this up is another story. Taking three out of four or sweeping the defending National League Champs would be a step in the right direction. The trading deadline is rapidly approaching and it is still unclear whether or not the Cubs will be sellers or buyers. That picture will become a little clearer in the next few weeks.
They continue this four game series tomorrow with the Phillies as Randy Wells ( 4-7, 4.61 ERA) will take on lefty Cole Hamels ( 7-7, 3.78 ERA). Game time is 12:05 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on Comcast Sports Net and heard on WGN Radio 720 AM.
