The Cubs were looking hot, and it looked like they were going to actually pull out a victory and take two of three from the Pirates to start the 2011 season.
Then they hit the top of the ninth.
It wasn't a convincing day, but the Cubs hung in there, tying the game in the fourth and fifth innings and taking the lead in the sixth. Their young shortstop Starlin Castro, who is only 20, had two triples on the day but was at the wrong end of a crucial play in the ninth.
Matt Garza looked impressive in his Cubs debut going seven full innings of work and gassing 12 while allowing just three runs on 12 hits. He was all lined up for the win as the scary nasty Carlos Marmol entered the game in the top of the ninth with Chicago leading 4-3.
The Pirates Garrett Jones led off the ninth with a walk and Neil Walker singled before Lyle Overbay sacrificed to put runners at second and third.
Then it happened.
The Cubs young shortstop Starlin Castro got a very real dose of reality as he fielded a grounder by Pedro Alvarez and as he charged, he didn't throw home; rather, he threw to first. Only he threw it wide to Carlos Pena at first, who had to dive off the bag to make the catch. While Pena dove, Neil Walker rounded third full steam ahead and scored before the Cubs' new first baseman could throw it home in time.
This all soured what would have been a nice win for the Cubs, who had fought back to tie, re-tie and finally take the lead from Pittsburgh. The first tie came in the fourth inning when Carlos Pena doubled to deep right field scoring Darwin Barney and Marlon Byrd.
The play was controversial, as when Pirates rightfielder Garrett Jones was up at the ivy to make the catch, a fan dropped a cup into the gutter, spilling either soda or beer onto Jones.
Upon replay it didn't appear to be intentional, as the fan was simply reaching for what they though was going to be a home run ball, and it was unclear if the liquid distracted Jones. Pirates manager Ken Hurdle convened with the umpires and whatever explanation they gave him was satisfactory for him.
The Pirates answered back the next inning when Lyle Overbay singled to right scoring Jose Tabata, but in the bottom half of the inning, the Cubs struck right back with Castro scoring on a sacrifice fly by Barney. Then, to lead off the sixth inning, Alfonso Soriano hit a go-ahead home run to deep centerfield and it looked as though the Cubs were going to end up on top.
It's a tough way to lose, but its so typical of the Cubs. They drop to 1-2 on the season and need to gear up for a three-game series at home against the Diamondbacks before they hit the road for three series against the Brewers, Astros and Rockies, respectively.
Next 3 Up:
Mon. vs. ARI (Wells, 0-0 vs Enright, 0-0)
Tues. vs. ARI (Cashner, 0-0 vs Galarraga, 0-0)
Wed. vs. ARI (Dempster, 0-1 vs Kennedy, 0-0)
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