Cubs Ambush Giants at Foggy Wrigley

With the fog over the field and gloomy forecast, the game time conditions at Wrigley were more fit for a game in San Francisco. However the Cubs as a team made sure that was the only familiar sight the Giants experienced of home. After giving up a first inning run and lead to the visitors, Ryan Dempster settled down and kept the Giants at bay, scattering two runs on six hits over six innings. The highlight of his day were the season high eleven strike outs he recorded, indicative of the control he had on the mound.

We have seen the Dempster of old so far in May, as he posted his third straight quality start. Meanwhile, the Cubs offense took advantage of the winless Giants starter Madison Bumgarner. The offense scratched across three runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. They started by cashing in on a lead off walk to Alfonso Soriano when Koyie Hill slapped a safety squeeze bunt between third and the pitching mound. The Cubs also were blessed with a couple bloop hits in the inning.

The Cubs blew open a close game in the by posting a high five in the bottom of the 7th inning. The big blow in the inning came off of the bat of Reed Johnson, when his blooper into shallow right field dropped and loitered around the wall down the foul line for a bases loaded clearing triple.

Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney both played a part in that big inning with Johnson, and all three batters were at it again in the 8th inning as they tacked on three more runs to make it a blow out win 11-4. The Castro and Barney duo combined to go 6 for 10 from the top spots in the order while coming in to score twice apiece. Castro had two RBIs while Barney had three as they competed with Johnson for the top RBI man for the day, with the veteran outfielder snagging four RBIs. The Cubs offense scored 11 runs for the second time in three days. It has been mentioned that hitting the other way is something coach Rudy Jaramillo has tried to instill on the batters this season, and on Friday afternoon, the Cubs offense executed this aspect repeatedly for great results.

Johnson continues to make the most of his limited appearances and even made an amazing catch in right field to rob old friend Mike Fontenot of an extra base hit. Johnson had two of the more amazing catches you will ever see during his last tour of duty with the Cubs, and in his return to Wrigley Field this season, he has added to his cult Cub legacy. It is easy to see why he chose the Spring invite with the Cubs over other possible opportunities. He definitely is feeling comfortable and at home here with the Cubs.