Tagged: Zambrano
Zambrano No-Hits Stros
Let’s set the stage; the Cubs were playing as the away team, in Milwaukee’s Miller Park, in the home dugout, against the Houston Astros playing as the home team in the away dugout, with at least 20,000 of the 23,400 fans rooting for the Cubs. All this while the Brewers were in Philadelphia losing a double header against the Phillies. With the stage set all Zambrano did was…no-hit the Astros.
Since Zambrano’s early exit in his last start the questions started swirling as to the extend of his shoulder problems. How bad was it? When would he return? How effective would he be? These questions were answered in a way only Big Z could answer them; with the first Cubs no-hitter since Milt Pappas did it in 1972.
Zambrano started out a little shaky and I have to admit I though he might be rusty and over throwing. Big Z went 3-0 to Houston’s first batter Erstad. Then after finding the strike zone with his fourth pitch for a called strike, he got Erstad to ground out for the first out of the game. Zambrano would walk one and hit another batter but with two outs in the ninth the no-hitter would hinge on retiring Darin Erstad again. The first two pitches were out of the zone but Big Z would ultimately get the count to 3-2 before striking Erstad out on a low and outside pitch. Big Z would get all the help he needed from an offense that has struggled lately.
The timely hitting was started with Soriano going yard in the first inning. Then in the third the Cubs would get back to back singles by Cedeno and Zambrano. The next two batters would be retired before Lee would drive in both runs with a double. Ramirez singled to left, scoring Lee and after a bad throwing error Ramirez would go to second. Soto doubled in Ramirez and the scoring for the game would end.
The Cubs have now won three in a row and have been progressively getting better with each win. Let’s hope they keep that trend going and continue to work out the kinks that have put them in their most recent dry spell. The Cubs stay in Milwaukee to play one more against the Astros and then head to Chicago to host Milwaukee. Go Cubs! Cubs Century Is Here!
Cubs Doing What They Have To
At one time this past Sunday there was a time where it actually looked like the Cubs could be going into Milwaukee down a game and, with the first two pitchers they would face being Sabathia and Sheets, things were looking bad. The problem was they weren’t taking care of business, they weren’t doing what they had to; string hits together. I even made a comment about it being a long time since the Cubs played good ball.
Well, what a difference a few days makes. The Cubs, facing arguably one of the best one-two punches in baseball in the way of Sabathia and Sheets, come out of the first two games with two wins. And all they did today against Sheets is string seven straight hits together in the sixth, ultimately putting this game out of reach.
Way was this game out of reach? Because Zambrano was on fire.Going eight innings with nine k’s and only 2 walks. Then “Kid Samardzija” came in in the ninth and gave up one run but still looked good.
On the offensive side, Ramirez went 4 for 5 with 3 doubles, Fukodome went 2 for five with a double and a triple, Theriot had another multi-hit day going 2 for 5 with a late inning triple. Soto also started coming out of his slump going 2 for 4.
All around another great game played against a great team. They are doing exactly what they have to.
There are still two more games to play in Miller Park, so by no means is this test over but to date the Cubs are looking great. Next Century Is Here.
Cubs Break Ten Game Slide Against The Fish
The Cubs with the help of Zambrano’s arm and bat beat the Florida Marlins and by doing so put an end to a ten game slide against them. They also stay one game ahead of the Brewers who are absolutely on fire. Sweeping the Cardinals in a four game series in St. Louis and wining their eighth in a row.
After trailing two to nothing, Ronny Cedeno got the Cubs on the board with a solo home run. Then the Cubs added four in the fifth with help from none other than Aramis Ramirez who, with the bags loaded, got a two RBI double and is showing signs of coming out of his slump by going two for four. Later Blanco went yard which meant both homers were hit by substitute players. More positive karma?
As far as defense, what about the diving catch by Reed Johnson Mark DeRosa in right saving what would have be a bases clearing double or possibly triple. The only weakness in the game today was the pitching of Carlos Marmol, who actually showed sign of the good and bad Marmol by walking three and striking out three. With Wood on the disabled list someone in the pen is going to have to step up and take his place. Could it be the kid from N.D., Samardzija? Only time will tell, he is on a plane and headed to Chicago as I type.
Today was a fun game, tomorrow we have Dempster. Let’s see if we can string a few together against a team we’ve had trouble beating. Remember, Next Century Is Here!
Big Z Smokes But Wood Is Needed For Close
Has Zambrano looked this good all year? It would be hard to
point to a game that would make the answer to this question yes. With
only his second start off the D.L., Big Z goes eight innings giving up one hit
(a long ball); five K’s and no walks. He looked more confident than I’ve
seen him all year. Nothing like getting another ace on the staff to get
the competitive juices flowing; at least that’s one man’s opinion. Of
course, no fault of Zambrano’s, this game became a little closer than I would
have liked.
After retiring the first two batters, Marmol gives up an infield hit and two
walks and the bags are loaded. Enter Wood and game is over.
This game epitomized the makeup of this year’s Cub team; solid starting
pitching, big bats and a good finish (minus the Marmol blip) by the pen.
Speaking of great pitching it was just announced that Harden
will start Saturday against San Francisco.
Be the first to own a Replica Chicago Cubs Rich Harden #40 Jersey, go to Next
Century Is Here.
Cubs go for the sweep!
Cubs Century Is Here 