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Friday, March 29

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Cubs Fri Jul 01 2011

Cubs Hang On, Come Back to Win in 13

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for cubs.gifIt seemed like one of those days for the Cubs when Carlos Zambrano left in the second inning with lower back pain. This meant it would be up to the bullpen to keep the Cubs in this game. They passed the test with flying colors.

It started with Marco Mateo coming in to throw five shutout innings which gave way to everyone with a pulse in the Cubs bullpen except Chris Carpenter. The bullpen threw 9 2/3 no-hit innings, which would lead to a 5-2 Cubs win.

In the final at-bat the Cubs came to life. They got it off Giants closer Brian Wilson -- that's major-league saves leader Brian Wilson. Aramis Ramirez launched his 10th home run into the left field bleachers to send the game into extra innings.

The Cubs bullpen continued their brilliance until the 13th when the Giants retook the lead when Pablo Sandoval blasted a solo homer to give the Giants a 2-1 lead. The Cubs offense stormed right back. Twice down to their final strike, Jeff Baker struck a double into deep left-center field and Darwin Barney singled to drive him in.

Thankfully Giants left fielder Cody Ross' errant throw sailed passed the catcher allowing Baker to score. A good throw would've ended the game, but it wasn't in the cards.

They intentionally walked Starlin Castro to get to Geovany Soto, but Soto blasted a three-run homer to left to give the Cubs their second walk-off win in as many days.

Things looked bleak on several different occasions, but the Cubs came back not once but twice. As bad as things have been for the Cubs this year it is moments like this that fans live for. Logic says that the Cubs should've lost this game. It was an improbable, almost miraculous win today.

They have now won two in a row and are still searching for that elusive three game winning streak. The White Sox stand in the way of that as they come into Wrigley to wrap up interleague play this weekend.

The Cubs have a bit of momentum on their side after two comeback wins against the defending World Champion Giants. Odds are the Cubs probably won't be playing past September, but it is nice to see exciting baseball from time to time.

 
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