Final Record: 70-85
Games Behind First: 16.5 GB (Eliminated from Playoff Contention)
After a great road trip the Cubs looked to bring the momentum back home. The pitching stayed good in the first one, but the offense got owned by Giants pitching. Matt Cain and Carlos Zambrano were engaged in an awesome duel that saw no runs scored until the 8th. That was when the ever hittable Andrew Cashner was brought in, and he did what he has done most this year and gave up a homer to the stud Buster Posey. That would be the only run as Cain, Ramon Ramirez, Sergio Romo, and Brian Wilson allowed only two hits and one walk to the Cubs. Yet another tough loss. On Wednesday night the Cubs offense was down again but a homer from Kosuke Fukudome and an error got the Cubs two runs. That was all they would need as Randy Wells had possibly his best outing of the year in 7.2 scoreless innings. Carlos Marmol, still reeling in the benefits of being the NL's most dominant and intimidating reliever, picked up his 34th save which ties Kerry Wood's impressive output in 2008. Ryan Dempster hasn't really had a consistent year and when he has struggled, he has struggled big time. Thus was the story Wednesday evening as the Cubs played a rare three game home series where all are night games. The incredible Juan Uribe with another 20 HR season hit two in the 2nd inning including a grand slam. Posey and Cody Ross threw in homers as well in the 13-0 drumming. It would be an understatement to say that the Cubs were glad to see them go. The Giants, possibly playoff bound, are big Cub fans this week as the Cubs battle the contending Padres who need to lose for the Giants to make the postseason.
Adam Wainwright finally got his 20th win on Friday afternoon and supporting him was Allen Craig's three-run first inning homer. That's all the Cards would need as a solo jack from Aramis Ramirez was the only real action offensively for the Cubs who totaled six hits and one run. Tom Gorzelanny had a rough go allowing all seven Cardinal runs in the first four innings. The Cardinals' playoff hopes were slim to begin with and they really needed a sweep to keep their chances alive. They wouldn't get it, as Chris Carpenter gave up seven nullifying a three run lead his team gave him early. Ramirez and Blake DeWitt both got two RBIs. The 7-3 win would be the Cubs' last at Wrigley in 2010, their 35th. You know it's September baseball when a guy named Matt Pagnozzi drives in three. You also know you're losing to the Cardinals when Albert Pujols hits a three-run homer in the first, something he does a lot at Wrigley Field. It was 8-0 before the Cubs got their first runs in the 5th, and the Cubs made an honorable comeback but fell short losing 8-7. I guess that is what we get for starting Jeff Samardzija on the last home game. Predictable. Brad Snyder, a kid of ours who was leading the minors in homers when he was called up, picked up two RBI.
That does it for the Cubs home slate in 2010, the first year under ownership of the Ricketts family. Ricketts walked around the gates of Wrigley Field talking to and greeting fans on the last home date. Ricketts says it has been a disappointing year, but there are many positives to the team's play on the field and also Ricketts wants to further improve on the Wrigley Field services and facilities for 2011, although he didn't go into any specifics at the time. The Toyota sign above the left field bleachers which is lit at night actually looks pretty cool and fits the park well kind of like the Coke bottle at Fenway. I predict we add more advertisements over there, further moving along the Wrigley modernization process. Gotta love it. I think they should seriously consider a JumboTron in front of the Horseshoe Casino rooftop. Sure, Wrigley is traditional but a screen can do so much for the fan experience. They could make a lot more revenue from ads and promotions on the screen and it will be easier for the fans to follow along the players and stats. I hope the Cubs do this to further improve their bid for the 2014 All-Star Game.
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