Ivy’s Cubs Game Round-Up, 9/14-9/23
The Cubs kicked off their final road trip of the season against the Rockies on Tuesday, with just eight games remaining before their season comes to a close. They came out with a 10-5 loss after a seven-inning game, which was called due to rain. They currently have a 59-95 record so they would have to split their remaining games to avoid a 100-loss season. That would give them a record of 63-99 for the season. Winning four more games doesn’t seem like much, but for this team it might be too much to ask for. We’ll see how that goes but let’s take a look at how they did the last home stand.
9/14 vs. Pirates W 7-4
9/15 vs. Pirates L 6-7
9/16 vs. Pirates W 13-9
9/17 vs. Pirates L 0-3
9/18 vs. Reds L 1-3
9/19 vs. Reds L 5-6
9/20 vs. Reds L 3-5
9/21 vs. Cardinals W 5-4
9/22 vs. Cardinals L 4-5
9/23 vs. Cardinals L 3-6
vs. Pirates
The Cubs split the final meeting against the Pirates. Chris Rusin started the first game and was able to get his first big league win as a Cub. He gave up two runs on four hits over five-plus innings and struck out six batters, a personal high for him. Rusin had a no-hitter going until the Pirates got their first hit in the fifth inning; did anyone really think he would actually throw a no-hitter though?! 
The second game of the series was pretty close but the Pirates came out on top. Wandy Rodriguez started the game for the Pirates and he held the Cubs to three runs over six innings. Jason Berken, who was acquired off waivers from the Orioles, took the loss in his Cubs debut. Andrew McCutchen hit his 28th. home run, Clint Barmes also homered. The Cubs had chances though, including the ninth inning. They were able to score twice and get to within one run but Dave Sappelt struck out to end the game and leave the bases loaded.
It was all about Anthony Rizzo in the third game. Rizzo got his first multi-homer game and drove in a career-high six runs, one of his homers was his first career grand slam. The Cubs were down by three in the sixth inning, but Rizzo’s homer gave the Cubs the lead for good and helped them get the 13-9 come from behind victory over the Pirates.
Kevin Correia pitched great for the Pirates in the final game, throwing seven scoreless innings, no runs and just two hits. Not sure how many of you stayed up for this one as there was a three hour and 37 minute rain delay; the game started at 10:42 p.m. and ended at 1:28 a.m! Travis Wood pitched six innings and gave up three runs, but didn’t get any help from his offense, therefore giving him the loss.
vs. Reds
This series was all about pitching, great pitching by the Reds. Homer Bailey got his career-high 12th. win as he tossed 7 1/3 innings, giving up only one run. For the Cubs, Justin Germano tossed five scoreless innings before walking three straight which set up Ryan Hanigan’s hit. He hit a three-run double and the Reds took the lead and the win.
The game was tied at five but Drew Stubbs’ RBI single in the 11th. won it for the Reds. Brandon Phillips reached second on an error by David DeJesus with two outs in the 11th. and scored on Stubbs’ single. Alfonso Soriano was able to hit home run number 30th. of the season.
Johnny Cueto threw six scoreless innings and the Reds broke the scoreless tie with a five-run seventh to get the win. Jason Berken started for the Cubs, he pitched six innings, gave up two hits and no runs. The Cubs had a chance until the bullpen collapsed and gave up the five runs. Berken did make history in the second when he struck out four. Ryan Hanigan reached on a wild pitch to prolong the inning. Berken is the fifth pitcher in franchise history to fan four batters in one inning. The list includes Jim Davis (May 27, 1956), Bill Bonham (July 31, 1974), Kerry Wood (Sept. 2, 2002) and Ryan Dempster (Oct. 4, 2009).
vs. Cardinals
The first game of the series was Chris Carpenter’s 2012 debut. He pitched five innings and was in line for the win, but Darwin Barney hit a game-tying home run in the ninth which sent the game to extras where David DeJesus hit a walk-off single in the 11th.
The second game was identical but with the Cardinals winning this time. The Cubs were in line for the win but Carlos Beltran hit a game-tying solo homer off Carlos Marmol in the ninth and Jon Jay hit a go-ahead RBI double with two outs in the 10th. as the Cardinals took the game. This was Carlos Marmol’s first blown save since April 24th. and his first homer allowed since July 6th.
Kyle Lohse earned his 16th. win as he tossed six sharp innings giving up only three runs on five hits. Pete Kozma hit his first career home run for the Cardinals and that turned out to be the decisive run in the game. The Cubs couldn’t get much going after the three runs, the Cardinals bullpen pitched three scoreless innings. Alfonso Soriano did have a good game, hitting his 31st. home run of the season and setting a new career high with 105 RBIs.
Looking Ahead
The Cubs continue their road trip tonight in Colorado. They have two games left there after losing the opener, and then they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game series to end their final road trip of the season.
Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies
Wednesday September 26, 2012 @ 7:40 p.m. CT
Jason Berken, RHP (0-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. Drew Pomeranz, LHP (1-9, 5.30 ERA)
Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies
Thursday September 27, 2012 @ 2:10 p.m. CT
Chris Volstad, RHP (3-10, 6.22 ERA) vs. Jhoulys Chacin, RHP (2-5, 4.73 ERA)
Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Friday September 28, 2012 @ 7:40 p.m. CT
Travis Wood, LHP (6-12, 4.23 ERA) vs. Ian Kennedy, RHP (14-11, 4.14 ERA)
Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Saturday September 29, 2012 @ 6:10 p.m. CT
Justin Germano, RHP (2-9, 6.18 ERA) vs. Trevor Cahill, RHP (12-12, 3.86 ERA)
Thank you so much for reading and as always, Go Cubs!
-Ivy