Aramis Ramirez gained his first hit in the season's third game and new closer Kerry Wood earned his first career save. Wood was modest about his acheivement, saying, "It doesn't mean anything," he said. "It's a good win for us. We needed to get a 'W' under our belts. It's nice to get the first one out of the way."
The Cubs' offense has still been in winter hibernation, the highest average owned by Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome--batting .500. Nobody else on the team is even above .275, the closest being the 8-spot hitter Felix Pie with a .273 average. It's been a mix of sloppy swinging and strong pitching that's allowed the Cubs to maintain close games so far this season. Nobody in the lineup got more than one hit in the game.
Dempster was the Cubs' closer the last three seasons. He struck out 5 and gave up 2 runs (one earned) on 3 hits and 2 walks. Dave Bush took the loss for the Brewers in his first start of the season, going 5 1/3 innings and giving up 6 runs on 6 hits and walking 5 while striking out 1.
OPINION
I don't like having reasons to criticize the Cubs, but as long as they're still playing a bit sloppy I'll point out some things to watch for.
To spark the offense for Thursday's game, Cubs' manager Lou Piniella switched Theriot and Alfonso Soriano in the lineup. Not a big switch as only the leadoff and second-spot hitters were switched, but the big reason Soriano was moved elsewhere in the line up was because of his free-swinging--high strikeout numbers. It's hard to start a rally when you're leadoff hitter is killing it to begin, right? Maybe it's what's needed though, Soriano is batting .077 to start off the new season. That's a pitcher's average!
However, if Soriano can get on base then the Cubs have a strong lineup through the time if they come to life, though with not as many big names such as the Tigers. But hey, at least it's not dreadfully embarassing.
I don't like having reasons to criticize the Cubs, but as long as they're still playing a bit sloppy I'll point out some things to watch for.
To spark the offense for Thursday's game, Cubs' manager Lou Piniella switched Theriot and Alfonso Soriano in the lineup. Not a big switch as only the leadoff and second-spot hitters were switched, but the big reason Soriano was moved elsewhere in the line up was because of his free-swinging--high strikeout numbers. It's hard to start a rally when you're leadoff hitter is killing it to begin, right? Maybe it's what's needed though, Soriano is batting .077 to start off the new season. That's a pitcher's average!
However, if Soriano can get on base then the Cubs have a strong lineup through the time if they come to life, though with not as many big names such as the Tigers. But hey, at least it's not dreadfully embarassing.
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