Games 15, 16



8-8

Game 15-- Vs. Rockies

Well, the Cubs dropped the rubber game of the series and two of three against the Rockies, thanks in part to a bad first inning and a total implosion by Marcos Mateo  in the 8th inning.

Things got off on the wrong foot when the Cubs fell behind 4-1 after Chicago starter Ryan Dempster gave up four runs in the bottom of the first inning.  From there the Cubs would battle back with one run in the second, two runs in the third and a go ahead run in the top of the fourth.

After the go ahead run was scored Dempster would give up one more run on a fielder's choice in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score at 5-5.  The two teams would remain tied until the bottom of the 8th inning when Marcos Mateo would give up four runs on six hits.

The only bright spot for the Cubs was another great performance at the plate by Starlin Castro who would go three for four with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored (raising his batting average to .418).

Mateo would take the loss and drop to 0-1. Rockies reliever Rafael Betancourt (1-0) would pick up the win. Closer Houston Street worked the ninth in a non-save situation.

Game 16 -- Vs. Padres

This was the kind of game that fans either love or hate. a ten inning barn burner that ended with the Cubs getting a walk off double from Tyler Colvin to secure their 1-0 win.

Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano had another really good game pitching eight innings of shutout, three hit baseball. In the end  'Big Z'  gave up three hits, walked one and struck out 10. Sadly, a win was not in the cards for Zambrano

Padres starter Tim Stauffer went pitch for pitch with Zambrano over seven innings. Stauffer would give up four hits, walk one and strike out four. Ultimately the day would end in a no decision for both starters.

Cubs closer Carlos Marmol would pitch an inning and a third to pick up his first win of the season, striking out two more batters in the process.

Starlin Castro, like many of the Cubs hitters, cooled off a bit in this game. Castro went one for four dropping his season average to .408.