I didn't see or hear it, but the Cubs did exactly what I said they couldn't do and did it in excruciating fashion last night in Nellyville. Carlos Zambrano and his brass cojones showed up as he matched a career high with 12 strikeouts and went nine innings, but the Cubs were only able to scratch out a lone run, Lee RBI of course, and in the eleventh that dirty mind LaRussa squeezed in the winning run. I really needed a win as I have decided it is absolutely imperative the Cubs take two out of the three games this weekend. Losing the first (ready Seuess fans?) means they have to win the next two, not an easy thing to do in the Lou.
But the Cubs took a big first step today. It wasn't easy, Dempster allowed a lead-off single in the ninth with a 6-5 lead, walked Edmonds then had to face Pujols with the tying run on second. Not a good setup and just the sort of situation that makes me cringe before every pitch. Pujols hit a laser to short, enabling Neifi to double the runner off second. Game ovah!
This was one of the most impressive Cub wins in recent memory. They had a 3-0 lead early, but the Redbirds clawed their way back two separate times. The difference was the Cubs immediately responded. After STL scored twice to tie it in the fourth, MVLee got both runs back with a two-run, two-out homer. The Cards scored in the fifth to halve the lead, but Aramis lifted off in the top of the fifth for the difference in the game. It was scary, I'm used to the Cubs folding, especially against the Cards, but today all hands were on deck, including Jerome Williams who offered a quality outing.
These games against the Cards are like a chess match. In the seventh inning alone Dusty used three relief pitchers! LaRussa loves to sacrifice and it is all basically a baseball strategist's wet dream. For further reading regarding the complexity of Cubs-Cardinals relations I highly recommend Buzz Bissinger's book Three Nights in August. And to see for yourself, check out Sunday night baseball tomorrow on ESPN where, dare I say, the Cubs appear to have the upperhand with Prior going against Jeff Suppan.
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