Who Says the Cubs Can’t Hit?

Now I know why the Cubs offense has looked so stagnant all year:  They were saving it up for the first inning of Tuesday night’s game in Pittsburgh.

And when they finally cut loose, they really dropped a massive log.  8 hits in a row to start a game, tying a major league record.  And it could’ve been 9 had Lou Piniella opted not to have Ryan Dempster lay down a sacrifice.

Of course it would happen against the Pirates, the one team the Cubs have consistently owned this year.  Actually, this was the second time in history the Cubs have collected 8 consecutive knocks to open a game against Pittsburgh.  The first time was in 1973; that streak involved guys like Ron Santo, Billy Williams and even the immortal Joe Pepitone.

Sadly, one fluky streak in one September game does not redeem a season of futility.  There is no magic that can take some of those 8 hits and apply them to earlier situations when hitters didn’t come through in the clutch.

Funny how, when the games don’t matter anymore, the bats suddenly come alive.  It’s almost like this team can’t handle pressure…