Cubs Play the Wind to Beat Reds

By: kevinhill

The Cubs fought through the strong wind blowing in from left field to beat the Reds 7-2.  Actually, they didn’t fight through it as much as they did use right field.  Imagine last year’s lineup of all right handers trying to do that.  Micah Hoffpauir, left handed hitter, got things started with his first home run of the year in the second inning.  That tied the game, as well as being the first time a Micah hit a home run off of another Michah (Owings).  Theriot gave the Cubs the lead later that inning with the only rbi that came on the left side of second base.  His single up the middle scored Aramis to put the Cubs up by one.

The other runs came on a sac fly to center by Hoffpauir, and two singles to right by Ramirez.  Bob Brenly accurately called the first one based on the count and the weather conditions.  Ramirez was the leader again tonight with three hits, three rbi, and a run scored.

Rich Harden picked up his firt win of the year with a much more solid effort than last time.  Six innings, eight strikeouts and only Jay Bruce did any damage against him.  And get this, the bullpen only allowed on walk in three innings!

Back to Hoffpauir for a second, the rookie had a great night.  A solo home run, a walk, and a sac fly in three plate appearances.  After an early season let down from spring training, I think he is getting comfortable.  And what about the guy he is pushing at first base?  Derrek Lee, who would have sat on Sunday night had the Cubs played, continued to hit the ball well.  His stat line didn’t show it as he went hitless, but he was driving the ball and was a victim of the wind.  Matt Snyder, writer for FanHouse, is a fellow Cub fan and fantasy league participant.  He commented in our chat room that it may be time to get off Derrek’s back.  I hope so.

Another guy who has been struggling is Geo.  He hit the ball well last night too.  He had a couple well hit balls to right field that were hauled in for long outs, but the stroke is there.  He will pull out of this before week’s end. 

A win tonight assures the Cubs of a series win and moves them to five straight series without losing one.  The last time they did this good was 1980 when they won or tied their first six series of the season.

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1 Comment

  1. I watched the game last night, and got to see the Jay Bruce dinger. I was pretty sure it was going to be a close game with the Reds coming out on top in the end. Shows what I know.

    Comment by Erik Deckers on April 22, 2009

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