Cubs Pitching, Power and Base Running Down Arizona 4-1

It's pretty exciting to be a Cubs fan these days. Even though they got off to a rough start, you can just tell that bright days are ahead. They are working on their basics and there aren't the bad feelings.

Carrie Muskat has posted an article at the Chicago Cubs website titled "Cubs down D-backs behind Soriano, Wells."

The Cubs beat the Diamondbacks with a combination of power, pitching and base running Monday.

In the seventh inning Arizona got the bases loaded but Kerry Wood pitched out of the jam. Then in the eighth inning Aramis Ramirez and Geovany Soto had back-to-back doubles and ultimately the Cubs won the game, 4-1.

The Cubs Pitching

The pitching involved Randy Wells giving up only one run in his seven innings of work. Then in the seventh as aforementioned Kerry Wood came in to cool things off. Finally Carlos Marmol didn't allow the Diamondbacks a run unlike the day before when he gave away the game.

The Cubs Base Running

In the fourth inning Marlon Byrd beat out an infield single. This "hustle" led to a run due to timely hitting. Also in the eighth inning the Cubs' third base coach held up Soto on a hit that was not a certainty. Soto would eventually score and had he not been held up may have been thrown out at the plate.

The Cubs Power

Alfonso Soriano served notice he is ready to play for Mike Quade by hitting a home run in the third inning. Geovany Soto's "double" would have been a homer any other day.

Quade has done an outstanding job getting the cubs ready for the 2011 season. He has had pitchers working on their bunting. I watched Andrew Cashner in the dugout (he didn't have to be there) cheering like a school boy when things were going well for his teammates.

The Cubs are playing baseball like it was meant to be played. They are playing for the love of the game and Mike Quade is teaching and supporting.

And the Cubs are 2-2.

Reference

Chicago Cubs' Website, Carrie Muskat, "Cubs down D-backs behind Soriano, Wells"