Cubs-Phillies: Aramis Ramirez Slams Chicago Past the Phillies

Philly's Bullpen Blues

The Chicago Cubs defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-4 on Thursday night, in front of a packed house at Wrigley Field. Aramis Ramirez provided the big blow with an eighth-inning grand slam, and Kerry Wood made the lead stick in the ninth, as the Cubs won their 84th game of the season.

The Cubs are 34 games above .500, their highest level since the 1945 season, which happens to be the last time that they went to the World Series.

Thursday was notable for more than just the victory, however. Lou Piniella celebrated his 65th birthday in style, with a victory in front of a packed house at Wrigley Field.

"We're playing good baseball and we're focused," Piniella said. "We're playing with some confidence. It's a credit to our kids. They don't back off, and they keep coming at you and good things happen when you play nine innings of baseball."

The victory also picked up Ryan Dempster, who didn't have his best stuff, going six innings and giving up four runs to the vaunted Phillies offense.

Can You Run That By Me Again?

Thursday night was also notable at Wrigley Field for more than the come-from-behind-win. The game between the Cubs and Phillies was the first in MLB history to use instant replay. While the new system was not needed during the game, Cubs players seem to like the idea behind it.

"I like it," Chicago's Mark DeRosa said, "as long as it doesn't go from home runs and then lead into different areas. I think the human element of it is what makes it special".

According to Lou Piniella, he is not allowed to challenge any plays, but he can "suggest" to the umpires that they review a play. Crew chiefs will have the final say over whether a play gets reviewed.

For right now, only boundary calls (fair/foul, home run calls, and fan interference) can be reviewed.

Quick Tidbits

-Tomorrow's game starts at 1:20pm CDT. It will feature a duel between Joe Blanton and Rich Harden. Both players were traded from Oakland this season.

-The Cubs have not won a season series from the Phillies since 2001. They split the season series in 2004.

-Frustrated by the 24 double plays Derrek Lee has grounded into this season? Before you jump off the deep end over our Gold Glove first sacker, consider this: Ron Santo has grounded into more double plays than any other Cub—240, to be exact.