The Cubs were able to salvage the final game of the series on Sunday in resounding fashion as they crushed the Los Angeles Angels 12-1 at Wrigley Field. Carlos Zambrano delivered his best performance of the season throwing seven innings and allowing just the one earned run. He also struck out seven and walked just one hitter. When Zambrano has his control, he can still be a dominant pitcher and it showed today.
Meanwhile, the offense finally showed up producing 12 runs on 18 hits. Most of the damage was done against the Angels’ starter Joe Saunders and reliever Brian Fuentes (11 of the 12 runs). Every Cub starter recorded at least one hit including Carlos Zambrano who went 2-4 with an RBI. Derrek Lee also had a big game collecting two hits and tallying four RBI’s. With Aramis Ramirez still out of the line up, Xavier Nady took his turn in the clean up role and had a solid day going 2-5 with two runs scored. Finally, Tyler Colvin did not start but he still made an impact coming up with a pinch hit, two-run single. He now has a pretty impressive 22 RBI’s in limited action this season.
One final positive from today’s ballgame, the Cubs did not give up any unearned runs. If they really want to get this season turned around they have to curtail their habit of giving away runs. Chicago currently leads the league in unearned runs allowed with 44, and had committed 11 errors in their previous five games heading into Sunday. Jeff Baker did commit his third error of the series and the season, but unlike Friday night it did not cost the team any runs.
The Cubs will get Monday off before beginning a three game series in Seattle on Tuesday. The Mariners have gotten outstanding starting pitching, but the offense has struggled mightily. Seattle comes into the series with a 28-41 record.
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:05 pm
true on the avoidance of unearned runs. a near miracle for this awful team.