Cubs Beat Pirates Again

This afternoon's 3-1 Cubs win over the Pirates was pretty boring as far as watching a baseball game goes, but it was really important as far as the Cubs staying in the race. They beat the only Pirates pitcher worth a damn (better be careful what I say) Zack Duke. Duke went 7 2/3 innings and only gave up three runs, but it wasn't enough because Duke's former teammate Tom Gorzelanny pitched five innings of one run ball and had the game winning single in the second.

Jeff Baker drove in the other two runs of the day, getting a RBI single in the first, and hitting a deep homer to left center sixth. Geovany Soto added a 2-3 effort with a double and a run scored. Aramis Ramirez pinch hit in the eighth with a single, and he will return tomorrow and play third. 

Since the Cardinals are also playing games against awful baseball teams right now, it was important that the Cubs got the win today. Odds are they stay 4.5 back in the Central race, but at least they don't fall back more. 

Tomorrow the Cubs send Rich Harden out to finish off the sweep, and its another game the Cubs need to win. Finish off the sweep of the Pirates, hope Adrian Gonzalez has a big game today or tomorrow and then catch the plane out West, where I'm sure the season will officially fall apart.