Last night the fellows from the north side fought long and hard into the early hours of the day with reckless, and fruitless, abandon. After super-closer Ryan Dempster allowed the score to be tied in the top of the ninth, the two teams battled to a near standstill before a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifteenth carried the day.
Tonight, both teams must have been exhausted. The Cubs used only one pitcher, Jason Marquis. He threw a no-hit game into the sixth inning and finished with a three-hitter. It was the best performance by any pitcher yet this season. It is time for those who were upset about Marquis’ signing to eat a little crow.
The Pirates allowed eight hits, but only the first one hurt. Alfonzo Soriano led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run. It was the only run to be scored all evening and provided the Cubs with their sixteenth win of the season.
Derrek Lee got a base hit to extend his hitting streak. Michael Barrett rapped a couple of doubles on a night when there was no wind for help or hindrance. The most frustrated Cub in Wrigley Field had to be Jacque Jones who not only went 0 for 4 at bats, but left nine runners on base, including six in scoring position.
Until the Cubs move Jones later this year to clear a spot for Felix Pie, tonight’s line-up should be the one manager Lou Piniella sticks with for the remainder of the season. Cliff Floyd and Cesar Izturis will get their playing time, but this is the best lineup the Cubs have.
Of course, considering the fact they only scored one run on one swing that is not saying much. Still, the Cubs won. It makes a fan smile.
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