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.