Dempster, Cubs Take Series Finale

The Cubs finally played an all around good game on Sunday. They didn’t make any errors, they had clutch hitting, and they had quality starting and relief pitching. More importantly they actually won the game 6-3.

The first five innings was a classic pitchers duel between Ryan Dempster and Jake Westbrook as neither team could score a run. That all changed in the sixth when the Cubs scored four times thanks to an RBI double from Starlin Castro, a bases loaded walk to Carlos Pena, and a two-run single by Marlon Byrd. The four run lead wouldn’t last long as Lance Berkman hit a three-run homer in the bottom half of the sixth. The game would remain 4-3 until the ninth when Alfonso Soriano gave the Cubs a cushion with a two-run homer.

Ryan Dempster pitched well for the Cubs to earn the victory. Dempster went six innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. The Cubs righty improved to 8-8 on the season. Sean Marshall and Kerry Wood pitched well in relief, and Carlos Marmol finished the game and earned his 20th save of the season.

Jake Westbrook pitched well for the Cardinals until the sixth. Westbrook pitched six innings and allowed four runs on just three hits. The Cardinals veteran fell to 9-5 on the season.

The Cubs will continue their current trip with a stop in Pittsburgh. First game of the series will be Monday evening.

Cubs Try To Avoid Sweep In St. Louis

When the Cubs and Cardinals take to the field Sunday, the trade deadline will have passed and by then the Cardinals may have added to their roster while the Cubs may have lost a few players. One player unfortunately for the Cubs that will be playing is Albert Pujols. Pujols in eight games against the Cubs this season is hitting .485 with five homeruns and 11 RBI's.

Looking to slow down Pujols Sunday will be starter Ryan Dempster. Dempster has had an up and down season for the Cubs. The Cubs right is 7-8 on the season with an ERA of 4.98.

St. Louis will counter with Jake Westbrook. Westbrook is 9-4 on the season with an ERA of 4.86. One good thing for the Cubs, is that their only victory over the Cardinals this season was a game started by Westrbrook.

The forecast at the time of first pitch in St. Louis is temps in near 90 degrees under partly cloudy skies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 CST. The game will be televised on ESPN.