Ramirez Beats Cards With Best Soriano Impression

By: kevinhill

A day after Alfonso Soriano beat the Cardinals with a two run home run in the bottom of the eighth, Aramis Ramirez did him one better. While Soriano’s two run shot gave the Cubs the lead and the eventual win, Rami’s was a walk off in the bottom of the eleventh. Just like Soriano, Aramis was hitless up until that at bat. I can only imagine the atmosphere in Wrigley following that shot. I was following the game online so I couldn’t see it, but it had to be a joyous celebration. I can remember a game when Ramirez hit one that would have been a game winner, but it fell short in center. The crowd at that game was on their feet ready for the celebratory explosion, but was denied. Oh to be in that crowd yesterday.

The 2009 version of the Chicago Cubs certainly has a flair for the dramatic. Just this week their three wins include a walk off home run, an eighth inning lead taking home run, and a no hit bid. The first week had two lead off home runs from Soriano, his late inning game tying home run in Houston, and a ninth inning home run to give them the lead. The excitement and the late inning heroics have given me a feeling that anything can happen. That is in stark contrast to most years when I am waiting for the other shoe to drop when the Cubs seemed destined to blow any lead.

Lost in those eleventh inning heroics were continued hot hitting by Kosuke and The-Riot and a great performance by Kevin Gregg. Gregg threw two perfect innings with two strikeouts. That had to be a confidence booster for him. Theriot had three hits including a lead off triple that sparked a three run fifth inning. Kosuke had two more hits and is hitting .375 now. Even Derrek Lee, with only one hit today, made it count. A two run double with two outs in the fifth tied the game.

The Cubs have secured at least a split in the series with the Cardinals and guranteed no worse than a 3-3 week. With Lilly going tonight on the ESPN game, I am confident that this can be another 4-2 week and move the Cubs into first place alone.