Game 11 Recap: Cubs 7, Cardinals 5

For the second consecutive game, the Chicago Cubs used a late home run to take down the rival St. Louis Cardinals. In both games, the Cubs really didn’t play all that well, having control issues all night from pretty much every pitcher, but they found a way to get it done, this time moving percentage points ahead of the Redbirds for first in the NL Central.

The hero this afternoon for the Cubbies was the guy who has come to be known as Mr. Clutch over the past couple years: Aramis Ramirez. Aramis was about as tough of an out as you can be in late innings last year, getting big hit after big hit in big situation after big situation: “It seems like every time there is a big moment in the game and Rammy is up he is winning the game for us,” Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot said. “He definitely has the flare for the dramatics and a knack to win games.”

This time, the big situation was with 2 outs in the bottom of the 11th inning against Dennys Reyes, who, by the way, is VERY generously listed at 250 pounds. Aramis watched ball 1 go by got a pitch he could handle on 1-0, driving it into the left center bleachers for a 2 run homer, launching Wrigley into a chorus of “Go Cubs, Go”.

Ramirez, like Alfonso Soriano on Friday, was hitless on the day before doing his damage. All was forgotten, though.

The parallels between Friday and Saturday don’t end there. Just like Carlos Zambrano on Friday, starter Ryan Dempster had to battle through the 6 innings he lasted, giving up 4 runs and walking 4. The Cubs ‘pen again bested the Cardinals, this time doing so in spite of repeatedly falling behind hitters and walking leadoff men.

After the 7th inning, it looked like Carlos Marmol was going to be the hero. Marmol came in with men on first and second and no outs after Neal Cotts failed to throw a strike to the 2 he faced, no doubt drawing the ire of Lou Piniella. Marmol coaxed harmless pop outs from Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick and a measly ground out from Albert Pujols after falling behind 3-0 against him.

Marmol was brought back out in the 8th inning, still clinging to the 5-4 lead that Aaron Miles had given the Cubs in the bottom of the 6th, driving in Geovany Soto. Marmol quickly gave up consecutive doubles to Chris Duncan and Yadier Molina, before walking Khalil Greene to put Kevin Gregg in the same position he himself had just wriggled out of the previous inning.

Gregg looked better than he had in any of his previous appearances wearing Cubbie blue, not only getting out of the 8th inning jam, but also tossing a perfect 9th inning. Aaron Heilman and Angel Guzman both pitched scoreless innings in spite of issuing lead off free passes, with Guzman getting his first career victory.

Outside of Ramirez, the top performers at the plate were Ryan Theriot (3-5 with a run and a triple) and Kosuke Fukudome (2-5 with a double, 2 runs, and an RBI). These two guys looked to be possibly the weak spots in the Cubs lineup this year, but both are absolutely on fire, batting .400 and .375 respectively. Reed Johnson, who is a quality outfielder, has been relegated to defensive replacement and pinch hitter status by Fukudome’s stellar play.

One more quick point before I wrap things up: Lou Piniella entered this series saying he would NOT let Albert Pujols beat his team. Ryan Ludwick made the Cubs pay so far to the tune of 7 RBI’s in the series, but Pujols is only 1-9 with 4 walks and no homers or RBI’s during the Cards visit to the Windy City. This bears watching tomorrow night, as the Cubs and Cards wrap up the 4 game set under the bright lights of Sunday Night Baseball. Ted Lilly figures to challenge Pujols tomorrow (well, at least if the bases are empty), will Pujols stay quiet again on Sunday?