Game One

CHICAGO -- On a gray gloomy, drizzly last day of March, the Chicago Cubs could not capitalize on a 3-0 deficit in the 9th to beat the Milwaukee Brewers in a 4-3 loss in extra innings. The National League Central rivals dueled to 10 innings and the Brewers came out on top thanks to a sacrifice fly by Tony Gwynn Jr. that brought in Craig Counsell.
The Cubs' Opening Day starter Carlos Zambrano left the game in the 7th inning due to forearm cramps, which may be attributed to the 52 minute rain delay with one out in the bottom of the third inning.
However, the Cubs welcomed new Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome. Heralded by scouts as a mix between Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, Fukudome was welcomed to Wrigley in the second inning. He hit a deep double over Brewers centerfielder Gwynn. Fukudome carried the Cubs' anemic offense, going 3-3 with 3 RBIs while the rest of the Cubs went 2-31 and leaving 6 runners on base. The Brewers also had a hard time against pitching, going 7-33.


The season cannot be conluded or judged based on the performance of both teams in just one game. Remember the game went into the bottom of the third inning before being delayed by rain for 52 minutes. An hour is a long time for pitchers to keep their arms warm, as well as the bats.
One of the bigger stories of the game was Brewers newcoming closer Eric Gagne coming into the game in the bottom of the ninth inning to finish off the Cubs. Seven batters later, Gagne was credited with a blown save and the game went into the top of the 10th tied at 3. The Brewers had acquired Gagne to thrive in those situations. Where was he today? He was the same closer in 2004 when he set a record with 84 career saves.
Likewise for the Cubs; Kerry Wood came into the top of the 9th dubbed as the closer. Likewise with Gagne, Wood faced 7 batters, gave up three runs on three hits, one walk and one strikeout. The only difference between their lines is that Gagne gave up a homerun, Wood nor the rest of the Cubs did not give up a homer.
As the weather improves and the vines grow greener on the Wrigley fence, baseball will come more into the country's focus. Heaven is back for another 7 months.

What to find for the next 7 months

In the upcoming baseball season, I will be covering the Chicago Cubs in a way that a team reporter would. You could possibly see articles about other things going on in sports (March Madness) I'll implement quotes from tv and newspapers and spin it into a story of my own, just something to sharpen my writing with. Hope you all enjoy it somehow, I know many of you don't like baseball as much as I do so if you get bored and enjoy reading, you what site to hit!

Tomorrow's Opening Day!
Go Cubs