Memorial Day Pre-game ceremonies honoring our military servicemen before 30,450 fans highlighted the pre-game action on the playing field. An American Bald Eagle flew high above the infield and slowly circled around and finally flew to a birdman trainer that was holding his arm outstretched. And a pair of Air Force Jets flew back and forth over the crowd and all were greeted by loud applause. Wrigley Field in Chicago on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011 was hot, humid and windy and the Houston Astros took advantage of the situation and whacked 4 homers into the wind along with a booming drive for a triple hit by Michael Bourne high above Cubs centerfielder Tony Campano leaping arms. Houston wins 12-7 over Cubs Houston opened the scoring in the first off Chicago new-coming starter Rodrigo Lopez with a single to left by leadoff batter Michael Bourne (3 hits in 5 at bats with 3 runs scored). Clint Barnes struck out, the a double by Hunter Pence scoring Barnes. After cleanup hitter Carlos Lee field out to RF Kosuke Fukodome for the 2nd out, Jeff Keppinger doubled scoring Hunter Pence. Breet Wallance grounded out to Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena who tossed to pitcher Rodrigo Lopez to end the inning. Astros up 2-zip. The Cubs came right back with 3 runs on 3 hits in the 1st. 2B Darwin Barney tripled and scored on a single to left by SS Starlin Castro. With 2 outs, Carlos Pena drilled a homer off Houston’s starter Aneury Rodriguez into the right field bleachers, Starlin Castro scored. Cubs up 3-2. The Cubs padded their league in the 2nd on a routine grounder to second that speedy Tony Campana beat out by an inch (tie goes to the runner). I’ll say this – ‘in all my 60 years of watching baseball I never seen anyone before beat out a routine grounder to second … yes I know Mickey Mantle before he injured his knee did beat out a grounder to 2nd in the 1950s’. Tony Campana then stole second base. Aneury Rodriguez struck the next two batters, Gevany Soto and pitcher Lopez. Fukudome walked. Then Tony Campana stole third and scored on a wild pick off throw by Aneury. Cubs lead 4-3. Houston pickup a run in the third as Clint Barnes started the inning with a single to left and after Clint Barnes popped out to second baseman Darwin Barnes, Carlos Lee singled him home. Cubs 4 Astros 3 The Cubs scored again in the last of the third as Aramis singled to center and Blake DeWitt tripled him home. Blake DeWitt was inserted into left field to start the 2nd after Alfonso Soriano injured leg running out a ground ball. Cubs lead 5-3. The Astros power shock the crowd of Cubs fans in the 5th. With one out Michael Bourne, in the 5th inning, lined his 3rd hit of the game, a triple over centerfielder Tony Campana’s high jump. Clint Barnes followed with a homer into the bleachers in left and Hunter Pence, the Astros next batter lined a homer into almost the exact same spot. Astros and Cubbies tied at 3-3. Leading off the 6th J. R. Towles homered. Astros 7-6. In the 7th the Astros scored 2 more after Hunter Pence singled, Cubs reliever Jeff Samardzija wild pitch, a walk, another wild pitch, and after Jeff Keppinger popped out to Darwin Barney at 2nd base, Cubs manager Mike Quade brought in reliever John Grabow. The next Astros batter Brett Wallace was safe on ss Starlin Castro’s error. Pence scored and Carlos Lee who had walked, was nailed at home on a sharp throw from ss Castro to Geovany Soto. The next batter Chris Johnson scoring Wallace. J.R.grounded out for the 3rd out. In the 9th three more runs on a 3 run homer by Jeff Keppinger and led 12-6. Chicago scored one in the 9th Final Score – Astros 12 Cubs 7. It was the 25th birthday of rookie Tony Campana, and he stole four bases today. The last time a Cub stole 4 bases was speedy left-fielder Juan Pierre on June 15, 2006 – against Houston. Baseball Historian |
