Randy Wells continued his solid pitching effort and Derrek Lee hit a two run first inning homer as the Cubs took two of three at PNC.
Wells evened his record at 3-3 (he’s won his last three starts) and lowered his ERA below 2.50. He went seven and allowed one run on six hits (five singles and a double) and one walk.
Lee’s homer was all Wells would need. The Pirates only run came in the home half of the first as Andrew McCutchen came around on a Brandon Moss single.
Virgil Vasquez didn’t do himself much disservice. He went six and gave up three runs – a Kosuke Fukudome tater in the sixth was the final tally off him. He gave up seven hits and three walks. He struck out a pair.
Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg finished up, with Gregg getting a save.
The Good
McCutchen had two hits.
As did Jason Jaramillo.
The Bad
Where did the offense go? Traded, perhaps? This will be an interesting month as I expect Jack Wilson to be practically given away. There is no chance the Pirates will pick up his 2010 option. So, why keep him? Adam LaRoche might also be gone.
The Rest
Garrett Jones made his Bucco debut and was hitless in four at bats. His last appearance in the Show was 9/30/07. Bet that seemed like an eternity for him.
Also making his debut for the Steel City Nine was Joel Hanrahan. He tossed one scoreless inning as the first man out of the pen.
This was Wells first appearance against the Pirates and Vasquez’ first appearance against the Wriglies.
Coming into the night, Moss was one of 22 players with 200 PAs in 2009 with fewer than 20 RBIs. Of the other 21 players, 10 of them had double digits in steals. So, yes, the club has been getting leadoff hitter-like RBI production from the middle of the order.
