The Curse of Wrigley Field

They say revenge is a dish best served cold. So it was fitting that a chill hung over Wrigley Field while the Cubs completed a three-game sweep of the Diamonbacks with a 6-4 win. In case you forgot, (which is highly unlikely), Arizona was the team completing a three-game sweep in October during last year’s National League Divisional Series. So Cubs Nation must be feeling pretty good this morning. 

It’s just May, but this slump busting series is better than any inflatable doll Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox can come up with.

Despite learning of his start less than an hour before the game, reliever-turned-instant-starter Sean Gallagher was serviceable in his 4-1/3 innings of work (5 H, 4 ER, 6 K). If not for the poor weather, he probably would’ve been given a longer leash after early trouble in the fifth inning, but he’d given manager Lou Piniella all he wanted from a spot starter. The Diamondbacks went on to score three in that inning, but didn’t score for the rest of the game.

The offensive hero of the game had just one at bat, but he made the most of it. Daryle Ward came into the game to pinch hit for Felix Pie in the eighth with the bases loaded. I turned to my father and said, “I hope he doesn’t swing at the first pitch.” Ward promptly swung at the first pitch he saw and dropped it into the right-centerfield gap for a two-run double.

Game. Set. Match, Chicago.

Credit must also be given to Reed Johnson, whose two-run home run (his first bomb as a Cub) tied the game in the seventh inning.

Tonight Chicago faces off against the National League’s worst team in San Diego. Carlos Zambrano (5-1, 1.80) starts but this game may be closer than you think. San Diego’s Randy Wolf (2-2, 4.14) hasn’t pitched bad this season and considering the Cubs are a divisional leader, the Padres would love to ruin what has been a great week so far.