Cubs Recap for 9/15, 9/16: Cubs 6, Astros 1 -- Cubs 5, Brewers 4

Monday 9/15: Cubs 6, Astros 1

So some friends and I headed down to Miller Park for this one. Of course everyone realized that Z's showcase from the night before couldn't be topped... so imagine our surprise when "The Bulldog" did his damnedest to get in on the action. It was evident from the beginning that Lilly had some of his best stuff of the year, relying more on fastballs (he had good zip, around 92 late into the game) and sliders than the big 12-6 hook. Before you knew it we were into the 6th, and after a great diving play by Edmonds to save a hit followed by a strikeout to pinch-hitter Mark Saccomanno, things started to look mighty interesting. I was very impressed with my section's no hit etiquette, for not once did I hear anyone point out you-know-what, and it became readily apparent after the massive cheer when they threw E5 on the board after Ramirez couldn't knock down a tough ball to start off the 7th that everyone knew exactly what was going on. But Mark Loretta followed up that generous scoring decision with a no doubt single to right and the impossible was no more. Lilly was given a great standing ovation and everyone let out a collective sigh as we settled back into our seats. Turns out the Astros wouldn't muster up another hit, scoring one in the 7th after a pair of walks by the Shark and a wild pitch by Marmol set up a David Newhan sacrifice fly.

The Cubs offensive weapon of choice was the long ball, featuring a solo shot from Edmonds and a pair of two run jacks from DLee (nice to see some power...) and Geo, marking yet another example of how this team can score any number of ways. All in all, a great day at the ballpark, except for the frustratingly horrendous traffic around Miller Park. Thanks to the people of Milwaukee for being so gracious. And thanks to the Cubs pitching staff for teaming up to produce the first ever no-hit/one-hit combination in consecutive games. Pretty Amazing.

Tuesday 9/16- Cubs 5, Astros 4

A very well played ball game. The Cubs were able to get to Sabathia early, much like their first encounter, setting the tone right off the bat with a deep double to left from Sori, who would then score on a deep double to center from DLee.

Dempster meanwhile was devastating, striking out two in the first and second before fanning the whole side in the 3rd. The Cubs however, continued to give Sabathia trouble. After Theriot and Derrek reached on back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the 3rd, Rami ripped a screaming double to left which scored them both bringing the lead to 3-0.

Dempster got into trouble in the top of the 5th. After striking out the struggling Corey Hart, Demp surrendered singles to Craig Counsell and Jason Kendall, and when Sabathia laid down a sacrifice, Ryan bobbled it, leaving the bases loaded with one away. However he bailed himself out of trouble as he's done all year, inducing a Mike Cameron chopper to third which Rami snagged, stepped on third and fired over to first for a 5-3 inning-ending double play. In the top of the 6th, Prince Fielder waddled up to the plate with the ageless Ray Durham on second and sent a hanging sinker into orbit, straight onto Sheffield. 3-2 ballgame.

That score would stand until Sori came up in the bottom of the 7th and sent a line drive shot into the basket in left, making it 4-2 Cubs (Fonsie by the way, is a CC killer, lifetime BA .364, 12-33 with 5 HR). This would be countered immediately in the top of the 8th as Oswald Cobblepot and his hammerpants launched another one into the basket in left-center, leaving the game at 4-3 Cubs.

After a double off the wall by Rami to start the bottom of the 8th, the Cubs were looking to tack on the ever-important insurance run. But then Geo grounded out, advancing Rami to third, and RJ went down swinging, setting up a pinch-hit appearance from Henry Blanco (having far and away a career year offensively). Well, Hank White delivered again, singling up the gut to score Ramirez making it 5-3 Cubs. To the bottom of the 9th...

It's just never easy is it. But hey, that's what makes it so fun... right? Woody came in and gave up a one out single to Mike Lamb, who then came out for pinch-runner Alcides Escobar. After getting Mike Cameron to strike out, there were two away for Ray Durham, who continued his Cub-killer tendencies by smacking a double to deep center, scoring Escobar and cutting the lead to one. After an infield single from Ryan Braun, Prince "The Big Asparagus" Fielder was back in the box. This battle couldn't help but conjure up images of that game-ending duel between Woody and Pujols several days prior (though I'm in no way suggesting Fielder is even worthy of buttering Pujols' broccoli. That sounded uncomfortably sensual...). Regardless, after a riveting battle, Woody caught Prince looking dead-red and bent a slidepiece right over the plate on a 2-2 count for called strike three. Ballgame. Cubs 5, Brewers 4.

Closer with every day. Giddy Up.