The start of the one-hundreth anniversary of the last Cub World Series title did not resemble one of promise but maybe false hope.
After eight scoreless innings, the game gave way to the two closers and then the bats realized that this game counted.
There was much speculation if this game would even be played with the sporadic bouts of rain throughout the day coupled with a fog that draped itself over the Chicago skyline. After two rain delays and two ninth innings rallys, the Brewers prevailed 4-3 on a Tony Gwynn Jr. sacrafice fly in the tenth inning.
Carlos Zambrano and Ben Sheets pitched up to their enormous potential each throwing shutouts for 6 and 2/3 and 6 1/3 respectively before giving way to their bullpens.
The bats finally awoke in the top of the ninth. New Cub closer Kerry Wood took over for Carlos Marmol and preceded to hit Rickie Weeks who was then sacrificed to second by Tony Gwynn Jr.. After an intentional walk to Prince Fielder, the reigning Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun singled in Weeks from second. After a Bill Hall strikeout, Corey Hart's two run double made the score 3-0.
Newly acquired closer Eric Gagne came in to close the deal for the Brewers but faced the same control problems that plagued him in Boston. Derreck Lee started with a single to right followed by an Aramis Ramirez walk. Kosuke Fukudome who had recorded the only two hits leading up to the ninth came to bat. As the soldout crowd of 41,089 rose to their feet, Fukudome delivered by sending a 3-1 Gagne fastball into the rightfield seats tying the game at 3.
Bob Howry replaced Wood in the tenth and promptly allowed a leadoff double to Craig Counsell. Jason Kendall sacrificed Counsell to third and after Weeks was hit again. Tony Gwynn Jr. flied out to centerfield allowing Counsell to score for a 4-3 lead.
Ned Yost called David Riske in from the bullpen and he sent the 2-3-4 hiiters without much resistence back to the dugout and gave the Brewers their fifth straight Opening Day win.
Carlos Zambrano, who left after 6 and 2/3 innings, was found to have suffered from forearm cramps. This is an all to common occurence for Zambrano who has suffered from this same issue last season. "I have to take care of myself," he said.
Despite giving up three runs in the bottom of the ninth, Eric Gagne ended up with the win while Bob Howry took the loss. David Riske was credited with the save.
