5/29/11 Pittsburgh Pirates 2, Chicago Cubs 3

Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Game 3 of 3



Yes, the Pirates continue to pwn the Cubs in 2011, but the good news here is ”Yes, Virginia, there is an Aramis Ramirez…” and he can hit Home Runs now and then.



“Cubs Nemesis” Neil Walker remained more silent than usual, with the Pirates’ sole source of offense being Lyle Overbay’s 1st inning 2RBI double (following back-to-back bases on balls by Ryan Dempster). This early inning dump would be the only time in the game the Pirates would score.

Walker does hit safely in his 15th straight Cubs game in the 6th inning…he is still CUBS NEMESIS Neil Walker.

Fortunately, the Cubs responded quickly with 2 more runs in the 2nd inning, incited by Aramis’ lead-off solo shot…his first HR since April 6th of this year. It was a BEAUTY.

Starlin Castro is a fantastic shortstop. Watch this amazing defensive play as he charges a wobbly ground ball to assist in the second out of the top of the 9th with one on and one out.

4/2/11 Pittsburgh Pirates 3, Chicago Cubs 5

Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Game 2 of 3

So, the Pirates pwned the Cubs last year…and they pwned us on Opening Day, thanks to Ryan Dempster and “Cubs Nemesis” Neil Walker. Certainly, this pwnership just cannot last. And what of Carlos Pena?



Believe it.



The Pirates score one run each in the 1st, 3rd, and 7th innings. Carlos Zambrano does very well (he is a GREAT pitcher, fact…) but when he leaves the 7th inning after giving up the solo shot to Garrett Jones, the Pirates pwn us again and the Cubs are scoreless.

Enter Evan Meek…and a wild 8th inning…5 runs are scored by the Cubs and what do you know…we WIN!

Len and Bob, recalling his grand salami on Opening Day, refer to Neil Walker as “Cubs Nemesis Neil Walker,” so I will too.

Starting this season, I will welcome Carlos Pena to the team by documenting the Pena Shift…you can see on my scoresheet, for every plate appearance, look for the circled “22,” that means the shift was on. The shift was on for 2 out of 4 plate appearances. The shift is REAL.

Alfonso Soriano received a considerable amount of flack from the Wrigley crowd on what was seen as a baserunning blunder in the 7th inning on a perceived dropped 3rd strike. Soriano stuck out swinging, and the ball was dropped on a wild pitch. No need to boo Fonzie here, the ruling and play are as follows, per Bob Brenly:

With less than 2 outs, 1st base covered, the batter is out automatically, regardless of whether…the pitch gets by the catcher. With 2 outs, this is not the case. Fans were encouraging Soriano to RUN, but he was OUT.

The 7th Inning Stretch was led by Ferguson Jenkins. Go CUBS.