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Cubs rise to 19-31
Reds drop to 28-23
POTG: 2B Todd Walker (3 H, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)
Runner Up: LF Matt Murton (2 H, HR, 2 R, RBI), SP Kerry Wood (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, QS, W (71); batting: 2 H, 2B, 1 RBI), 2B Tony Womack (2 H, R, 2B), SS Ronny Cedeno (2 H, R), RP David Aardsma (IP, BB, 2K, Hold), CL Ryan Dempster (1.1 IP, H, 3 K, Save)
I don’t know how to talk about a win. So very odd! I’ll try to do only positive thoughts!
* Kerry looked fine, was effective, got some nice hits and didn’t mention any arm troubles after the game. Only 1 walk on the day is a good sign
* Only 3 walks given out today!
* out of the non-Walker second baseman we’ve had, Womack’s already done the most good. It’s working out for now, and they might as well run with it while it’s going (and when it stops, or when people return to fill up the roster, there will surely be a release that’ll be a relief)
* The upside of the injury situation is Ronny’s gotten more playing time at SS than any of us thought he would (48 of 50 games), and 288’s a good batting average.
* Aardsma looked good, and one more solid guy to take some of the workload off Eyre/Howry would be a big help.
* Dempster looked back on track
* Walker reached 3 RBI for the first time since April 23rd, and got 2 RBIs for the first time since the Washington series – I think it’s a table being set thing, but whatever works.
* Tomorrow’s game is a night game, giving Barrett plenty of time to recover. The upside to his suspension is his marathon game played streak, keeping Blanco’s bat out of the lineup a little longer.
* Prior did not get hit by a truck at any time today. (That’s all I can say, I think.)