Cubs Win First Road Game Against Brewers, 7-4; Zambrano Keeps Winning Streak Alive

I'm trying to remember who said the Chicago Cubs were going to beat the Milwaukee Brewers; oh that's right, it was me. The Cubs backed up my big mouth by defeating the Brew Crew, 7-4. They showed great offense, good defense and acceptable pitching -- Carlos Zambrano pitched well enough to get his first win. The Cubs also went over the .500 mark.

Carrie Muskat has posted an article at the Chicago Cubs' website titled "Cubs homer past Crew in another tight one." I don't know that the game was "tight," at least in my opinion.

If there was a good place to start the first road trip of the season for the Cubs it was Miller Park. Many Cubs' fans make the trip to Miller Park because it is not that far from Chicago. As a result the Cubs have a lot of fan support and Brewers' fans stay at home because all the commotion bothers them.

Carlos Zambrano won his ninth game straight, tying his record, as well as keeping his winning streak at Miller Park, now at six games, alive.

Milwaukee drew first blood on a home run by Prince Fielder in the bottom of the second inning and another run was scored by Casey McGehee on a groundout after he walked and was moved around the bases.

Technically Chicago did all it needed to do in the top of the fourth inning. Aramis Ramirez got on first because the second baseman tripped trying to reach a pop-up. As often happens after an error, Geovany Soto smacked a home run tying the score at two runs apiece. Chicago manager Mike Quade has these players hungry to play. One of them is Jeff Baker. After an out Alfonso Soriano singled and then, after another out, Tyler Colvin singled. With two outs and two men sitting on base, Jeff Baker came to the plate. This is a situation where Chicago typically chokes. It didn't happen this time. Baker sent a pitch into the left-center stands of Miller Park and Chicago had, although they didn't know it yet, their winning run.

The game did get exciting in the ninth inning. Chicago scored an "insurance run" in their half of the ninth. However to give the Cubs' fans their usual "scare," Milwaukee got two men on base with no outs -- the tying run came to the plate three times. Carlos Marmol finally did what he is paid to do and got out of the inning.

The two teams square off again tonight. Matt Garza will be going for the Cubs.

References:

Chicago Cubs' Website, Carrie Muskat, "Cubs homer past Crew in another tight one"