Dempster Finds Groove, Ramirez Finds Wall as Cubs Down Pirates 3-2

The Cubs came back Sunday from a rain delay and embarrassing 10-0 shutout on Saturday to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2. This was the last of a three-game series that found the Cubs trailing Pittsburgh at 0-2 after the first two matches. However, Chicago faithful and players were all smiles Sunday night.

Carrie Muskat has posted an article at the MLB.com website titled "Aramis HR sparks Cubs, Dempster to win."

The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the game after two batters were out in the first inning. Starting pitcher Ryan Dempster started well but, after the first two outs, walked the third and fourth batters. Then Lyle Overbay hit a double, driving both runners in.

Things settled down for Chicago after that. In fact, the Pirates would score no more runs the entire game. Dempster (4-4, ERA 6.00) evened his record and dropped his ERA in regaining his control. He pitched six good innings.

The rain delay was a good two-and-a-half hours and the game was played in an oppressive atmosphere. In fact, it looked like another "no-offense" game for the Cubs, who have struggled in cold weather. However, in the bottom of the third inning, Aramis Ramirez sent the first pitch he got over the left field wall. It woke the crowd up and seemed to inject some life into the Cubs as well.

The Cubs still are down 2-4 to Pittsburgh after six games. However, this game sends them into the last series of this home stand against the Houston Astros on a high note.

Chicago is still facing a lot of problems. Their starting catcher, Geovany Soto, is injured and they have two starting pitchers, Andrew Cashner and Matt Garza, out of rotation due to injury. Further, starting center fielder Marlon Byrd is out indefinitely after getting hit in the face with a pitch.

The Cubs are hanging around with a record of 23-28, just five games below .500 and 7.5 games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals.

What plays in their favor is that the top three teams in the National League Central, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, are close to each other in talent and will probably keep each other from running away with the division.

At least as Cubs fans, that's our hope.

References:

MLB.com Website, Carrie Muskat, "Aramis' HR sparks Cubs, Dempster to win"

MLB.cm Website, "Ramirez's solo shot"

MLB.com Website, "Ryan Dempster statistics"