A week’s worth of wins
After not feeling so hot over the weekend I’m ready to get back into the swing of things and there’s not better time than now to pick up where I left off. The Cubs proved once again that you can go home again and that it’s probably a good idea to do so. Chicago finished up its seven-game homestand undefeated, capping it off with a 5-3 win over the Rockies Sunday afternoon.
Sean Gallagher was impressive yet again, going 5-2/3 innings and striking out a career-high eight batters while giving up just three runs off six hits. Methinks he’ll remain in the starting rotation for awhile.
The relievers also pitched well, going a combined 3-1/3 innings to close out the game. Scott Eyre, who came back to the team earlier in May, made his ninth consecutive appearence without allowing a run for his second hold of the year while Bob Howry also made his ninth consecutive scoreless appearance for a hold. Kerry Wood earned his 14th save of the season.
At the plate, the Cubs continue to hit well in then friendly confines. Aramis Ramirez collected the most hits, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Jim Edmonds’ average is climbing up slowly but surely and he had himself another swell game Sunday afternoon, going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Finally, Alfonso Soriano, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde himself, went yard for the 13th time this season for some added insurance in the sixth.
The Cubs are now the best team in base, at least record wise, heading into a stretch where they play 23 of their next 32 games on the road. A daunting task for a team that has gone just 10-13 away from Chicago so far this season.
You can’t really fault the Cubs too much for their inability to win at the same rate away from Wrigley Field. I mean, they’re the best team in baseball right now, it isn’t hurting them. But I’d still love them to win four to five games during this upcoming seven-game west coast road trip. San Diego and Los Angeles are beatable and the more Chicago can win on the road, the more than can silence the critics who are looking for any reason to believe this team can’t win the National League pennant.
