Cubs Walk Their Way to Walk Off Win Against Brewers in Extra Innings
Fontenot celebrates the winning walk after Theriot ran home (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Cubs Beat Brewers with Walk Off Walk
It was another low scoring game by the Cubs offense but nobody cares as long as you win the game and the Cubs did just that, beating the Milwaukee Brewers in 10 innings. The winning run scored on a walk by rookie slugger Jake Fox, who drove Ryan Theriot home for the win.
The tenth inning had started with a groundout by Alfonso Soriano, giving him an 0-5 day on his return to the lineup after two days rest. Theriot then got the rally started with a base hit. Next Derrek Lee would bat and fly out to center for out number two, but not before a wild pitch that sent The Riot to second.
With a man already on second, the Brewers decided to intentionally walk the .241 hitting Milton Bradley and instead face the .237 hitting Soto. Soto drew a walk, which would load the bases for Jake Fox, who was 1-3 on the day. Jake Fox worked the count to full, then fouled off four straight pitches until taking a very close one, which was ruled ball four. That’s when The Riot raced home for the 2-1 win.
The game featured a well pitched start by Carlos Zambrano, who would receive a no decision after leaving with the game tied 1-1 after seven innings. Big Z did walk three and hit a batter, as well as give up 5 hits but he worked out of all his jams. The hit batter was an obvious mistake as noone would want to hit a batter to load the bases with no outs in a tie game. Nonetheless, Jeff Suppan tagged yesterdays hero Derrek Lee in retaliation, causing the ump to warn both teams.
Other Highlights included Fukudome throwing out a runner at the plate in the seventh to keep the score tied, and Kevin Gregg pitching two scoreless innings for the win, striking out two, walking none and giving up no hits. Also Milton Bradley dropped a fly ball after losing it in the sun and was booed at every at bat.
The Cubs have now won the first two games of an important series against the Brewers, three games in a row and won 4 out of their last 5 games. I’m hoping they’ll continue to play strong heading into the All Star break and give us all reasons to be optimistic going into the second half.
They stand a good chance to win the series against the Brewers and gain ground in the division. Next weekend the Cardinals will be coming in for another big series. If the Cubs can win that series, they can set the tone for the second half. The Cubs are clawing their way back to the top of the division!
GO CUBS!!!
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Related Stories:
Walk-Off Walk: Jake Fox One Of Many Heroes In 2-1 Cubs Win Over Brewers In 10 – Bleed Cubbie Blue
Cubs walk the walk, top Brewers in 10 – Cubs.com
