Cubs 6, Brewers 5: What Was, and Could Be Again

Filed: Apr. 11, 2009

The Cubs continued their penchant for the dramatic Saturday, rallying back on an Alfonso Soriano home run in the ninth to beat the Brewers 6-5. Aaron Heilman picked up his first win as a Cubs, with Carlos Marmol collecting the save. Take from that what you will.

Every once in awhile, I think about the player that Chicago fans hoped that they were getting in Alfonso Soriano. On the heels of a $100 million plus contract, many thought his tenure here would be filled with 40/40 seasons, high-wire performances, clutch hitting, and a MVP considerations.

Injury and age have a funny way of changing any player's plans, but some have talked about this being the year of Soriano—finally—and he's done little to diminish that thought so far this season.

Early? Sure, but when you're on a team predicted to be the best in the league, healthy, and keeping a nifty 1.28 OPS, well, that's how it goes.

And the Cubs needed him last night. Once again, the Cubs got ineffective middle relief in a tight ballgame. This time, it was Angel Guzman and Neal Cotts, who couldn't find someone they wouldn't walk in the seventh inning.

Note to Cubs: Outrighting Chad Gaudin, rather than hiding him away for a few weeks may come back to haunt you; right along with using Cotts as the sole lefty in the 'pen. The Brewers would grab a pair of runs on a J.J. Hardy single off Aaron Heilman, in relief of Cotts.

The Cubs would grab a run back in the eighth, when Aramis Ramirez went yard, taking us to the ninth.

Carlos Villanueva—subbing for injured closer Trevor Hoffman—would allow a single to pinch-hitter Reed Johnson with one out, and then on the very next pitch, a monster two-run shot to Soriano that gave the Cubs the lead, and the win.

The Cubs get a chance to take the series with a win tonight in prime time. 7:05 CT on ESPN, if you can stand it. Maybe I'll try turning off the volume this time.