Here's something I'm going to try this year - a recap following each series. We'll see how this goes since I don't always get a chance to watch the games and really, what are you getting out of a recap by someone who didn't see the game that you're not getting from anywhere else? Anyway.
April 6: Cubs 4, Astros 2
Saw: 9th inning (plus heard 8th on WGN)
Didn't see much of this one; I was still at work when it started and didn't get to a TV until the ninth inning. The bottom of the inning was plenty nerve-wracking, but hey, I saw the win. The box score shows Zambrano pitched fairly well in earning his first-ever Opening Day win (although he actually pitched better last year in a no-decision, statistically), and you have to like Soriano starting the year with a home run considering the notoriously slow power start to his Cubs career (not hitting his first home run until May 1, 2007) and his awful start last year (hitting below .200 as late as May 9).
April 7: Astros 3, Cubs 2 (10)
Saw: Inning three through end of game
Wandy Rodriguez isn't exactly Sandy Koufax, but he pitches well at home - in 2008, his ERA there was just 2.99. The Cubs struggled against him in this one, managing just four hits (though they also drew three walks); Soriano struck out three times and was so happy to see LaTroy Hawkins in the 8th that he hit a moon shot off him that nearly left the stadium entirely, tying the game at 2. Dempster pitched all right, getting a quality start, but the bullpen was up and down. Guzman looked pretty good, but Heilman, Cotts and Gregg all had one issue or another. When the first two reached against Cotts in the 10th, it was pretty clearly over. Gregg, as I predicted, has underwhelmed so far. On the other hand, Wood underwhelmed to start last year (having a horrid outing on Opening Day), so we should probably reserve judgment for now.
April 8: Cubs 11, Astros 6
Saw: Bottom third through bottom fifth, and the last two outs
By the time I got home, it was already 8-2. The home run that made it 8-4 was a typical Lilly home run, the hanger at about 85 (if even) that I feel like I could hit out half the time. Russ Ortiz didn't throw a single pitch above the knees, I think, which of course meant he racked up a big run of strikeouts while the Astros started to chip at the 8-0 lead the Cubs had built off Brian Moehler. The Cubs finally picked up on "he's not actually throwing strikes" in the fifth, loading the bases on three walks and chasing Ortiz. Ramirez then doubled off the scoreboard to score two more (actually bouncing a tile out of the hand-operated scoreboard). Fontenot ended the inning, but with the lead back to 10-4, I decided to watch my DVR'ed Lost episode. I got back just in time to see the last couple outs. Not the most impressive game for Cubs pitching - five homers? I ask you - but hey, a win is a win, and 11 runs is pretty nice. Also, Fukudome was 4-for-5 with a walk and a home run. Is this his early season form again, or might he actually be back on the ball this year? Well, ask again in a couple months.
First opening-season series win since 2003 at the Mets (when the two winning pitchers were Wood and Prior). Heck, I'll take it.
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