Cubs Stay Hot in the Cold, Beat Padres in 10 Innings

COMMENTARY | The game last night between the Chicago Cubs and Sand Diego Padres was not exactly what was expected. Pitching duels aren't always anticipated, but that is what the freezing fans at Wrigley Field encountered: an old-fashioned pitching duel. Two unlikely performances brought the victory home for Chicago. They won in 10 innings 1-0.

Carrie Muskat has posted an article at the MLB.com website titled "Cubs end duel with Colvin's walk-off double."

The whole scenario starts with the fact it was 34 degrees at game time and Wrigley was entertaining a 12 mph cold wind; Chicago rarely has warm winds this time of year. It only got colder, dropping to the upper 20s. Despite this backdrop, Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano struck out 10 batters and pitched eight innings of no-run baseball.

San Diego Padres pitcher Tim Stauffer seemed determined to get his first career-win against the Cubs, pitching seven scoreless innings of his own.

Both teams had opportunities to score in the game. The Cubs got Starlin Castro to third base in the sixth inning and the Padres got a man to second and two men on the top of the ninth.

The Cubs' Tyler Colvin has not been hitting well. However, he was brought in as a pinch-hitter in the 10^th inning. With Geovany Soto on first base, Colvin doubled down the right field line. It's always a challenge to get a double but it is double-hard (pun intended) to get one when the temperature is as cold as it was last night.

The Cubs succeeded in regaining a .500 record at 8-8. The Padres dropped to 7-9.

Carlos Marmol got the win for the Cubs, evening his record at 1-1.

Zambrano was going for his 11^th straight win. While he didn't get the win, his streak is still intact since he didn't get any type of decision.

As Muskat reports, Castro got his 29^th hit of the season-a Major League-leading statistic.

The Cubs are holding their own at 8-8. What is so good about it is they are doing so without two starting pitchers, Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner.

Their return should only make the Cubs tougher.

Reference:

MLB.com Website, Carrie Muskat, "Cubs end duel with Colvin's walk-off double"