Cubs Win 3-2: Henry Blanco Brings the Win, Jim Edmonds Brings the Fireworks

Joe WillettAug 8, 2008

This article is available in full at TheDailyCub.com, a Chicago Cubs blog. The Daily Cub boasts writers Bob Warja and Kevin Graczyk from Bleacher Report as well as a writer who solely write for The Daily Cub.

The Chicago Cubs packed the place again as they beat the Cardinals 3-2 in a game that went 11, allowing the Cubbie faithful an extra two innings of free baseball.

Henry Blanco stepped to the plate with bases loaded against an infield and outfield that were both brought in with the expectation of Blanco not being able to hammer one out of the park.

Derek Lee led off with a walk, followed by an Aramis Ramirez single and an intentional walk to Kosuke Fukudome before Blanco hit a line-drive past Cesar Izturis to drive in Lee and win the game.

Ted Lilly started the game and pitched spectacular, but got hit with Rich Hardin syndrome with the Cubs offense seemingly unable to score runs.

Alfonso Soriano, Fukudome and Mark DeRosa were all hitless, going a combined 0-13. All-in-all, however, the Cubs were able to muster 10 hits, but only were able to score through the air.

Jim Edmonds wins today's MVC award (Most Valuable Cub) with a pair of solo jacks. The first came off Cardinals starter Branden Looper in the second inning, and followed it up by tossing his bat to the Cardinals dugout, as if to say, "How do you like me now?"

He then knocked another one out of the park into left field, barely clearing the ivy. This home run tied the game in the seventh inning and allowed the Cubs to send the game into extras.

It wasn't all great for Edmonds, though...