I told you guys it was going to be a low scoring performance. Quite the pitcher's duel indeed although the gem thrown by Zach Duke probably had as much to do with the Cubs anemic offense as it did his performance, but that's a different story entirely. Overall the Cubs snapped their losing streak against the Pirates by winning 7-2.
Rich Hill pitched the best game of his career today, and you know we have said that for quite a few recent starts for him. Rich pitched magnificently as he allowed just 2 runs - 1 earned - on four hits in 7.1 innings of work. He set the single game Cubs record for strikeouts by a left-hander with 11. He also minimized the walks, only allowing one. Since August 1st Hill has thrown 50 innings with an ERA of 2.70 and a 45:14 K:BB and just 36 hits allowed. There's little else to say about this performance, keep it up! Michael Wuertz and Bob Howry pitched 1.2 perfect innings in relief. What's notable is that when the Cubs had a 3 run lead in the eigth inning it was Howry who was warming up, not our boy Ryan Dempster.
The Cubs' offense was stifled for the first seven frames, as they garnished one run on a passball. Things really came together off the bullpen in the 8th inning as Derrek Lee celebrated his 31st birthday in grand slam fashion. The Cubs ended up tacking on two more runs, but the damage was done. Ryan Theriot had another great game at the plate with a couple of knocks and a run scored. The Riot has now reached base in eleven straight games. Lee, Matt Murton, Henry Blanco and Angel Pagan all had two hits on the day as well. Murton's 2 for 4 day puts his batting average up to .297. It really would be nice to see him get it up to .300. It won't mean he's good, but it's a nice thing to say.
Zach Duke had a good game as he just threw the ball over the plate and hoped the Cubs weak bats hit it softly, which they did. He only struck out three guys in his 7 innings of work, walking none. The bullpen killed the Pirates as John Grabow allowed two runs without retiring a batter and Matt Capps allowed four more runs and only retired one. Jose Castillo and Chris Duffy were the only Pirates to show any signs of life with the bat. Castillo had two knocks and Duffy reached twice.
Rich Hill pitched the best game of his career today, and you know we have said that for quite a few recent starts for him. Rich pitched magnificently as he allowed just 2 runs - 1 earned - on four hits in 7.1 innings of work. He set the single game Cubs record for strikeouts by a left-hander with 11. He also minimized the walks, only allowing one. Since August 1st Hill has thrown 50 innings with an ERA of 2.70 and a 45:14 K:BB and just 36 hits allowed. There's little else to say about this performance, keep it up! Michael Wuertz and Bob Howry pitched 1.2 perfect innings in relief. What's notable is that when the Cubs had a 3 run lead in the eigth inning it was Howry who was warming up, not our boy Ryan Dempster.
The Cubs' offense was stifled for the first seven frames, as they garnished one run on a passball. Things really came together off the bullpen in the 8th inning as Derrek Lee celebrated his 31st birthday in grand slam fashion. The Cubs ended up tacking on two more runs, but the damage was done. Ryan Theriot had another great game at the plate with a couple of knocks and a run scored. The Riot has now reached base in eleven straight games. Lee, Matt Murton, Henry Blanco and Angel Pagan all had two hits on the day as well. Murton's 2 for 4 day puts his batting average up to .297. It really would be nice to see him get it up to .300. It won't mean he's good, but it's a nice thing to say.
Zach Duke had a good game as he just threw the ball over the plate and hoped the Cubs weak bats hit it softly, which they did. He only struck out three guys in his 7 innings of work, walking none. The bullpen killed the Pirates as John Grabow allowed two runs without retiring a batter and Matt Capps allowed four more runs and only retired one. Jose Castillo and Chris Duffy were the only Pirates to show any signs of life with the bat. Castillo had two knocks and Duffy reached twice.
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