If you are a fan of the Chicago Cubs, you’ve had a lot to be unhappy about this season. One thing you can’t question lately is their effort. The Cubs (29-41) battled the Yankees (40-29) to the end, but came up a run short in game two of their series with New York.
A.J. Burnett had his second impressive start of the week. Burnett went five and a third allowing two runs on just four hits and also struckout eight. The righty improved to 7-5 on the season.
Ryan Dempster wasn’t able to continue his recent success he’s had at the friendly confines. Dempster only allowed three runs but did give up eight hits and walked six batters in five and a third. The Cubs ace fell to 5-6 on the season.
The Cubs did battle back multiple times Saturday. After the Yankees took a 2-0 lead in the third the Cubs tied it in the fourth thanks to a Carlos Pena homerun. The Yankees would add solo runs in both the sixth and ninth innings and the Cubs did make things interesting in the bottom of the ninth when Reed Johnson homered off Mariano Rivera, but Rivera held on to earn his 17th save of the season.
The Cubs and Yankees will meet in the rubber match of the series Sunday evening at Wrigley.