Cubs Trip up Sox 3-0 in Opener of Historic Series at Wrigley Field – Fenway Park 6/15/12
The Cubs beat the Red Sox 3-0 in the opener of the much-anticipated series between Theo Epstein’s new team and his old team. Ryan Dempster outdueled Daisuke Matsuzaka in another solid outing for the worst team in baseball – 7 scoreless innings, 4 hits, 2 walks and 3 K’s. Maybe we should make a move for him in the next few weeks?!?!
Matsuzaka wasn’t all that bad after the 2nd inning. The Cubs managed just 2 hits by a non-pitcher in the game. Bad news for us – both hits drove in the Cubs 3 runs. Steve Clevenger had a timely 2-out bases loaded double that drove in 2 runs in the 1st inning. And the next inning David DeJesus single drove in Dempster. Dempster had reached base earlier that inning on a “triple” to right field that regular 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez misplayed down the line. So even that 3rd run was a little “lucky”… Matsuzaka went 6 giving up just the 3 runs and 4 hits.
Dustin Pedroia’s line drive in the 9th with the bases loaded was snagged by Cubs 3rd baseman Luis Valbuena on a nice play. He beat Mike Aviles to the bag to end the game.
The Red Sox fell to 31-33 with the loss. The Cubs are 20 games! under .500 at 22-42. Ouch. Should be a nice match-up on Saturday night at the Friendly Confines – Jon Lester v Jeff Samardzija.
