Carlos Zambrano Deals One of the Most Symbolic No-Hitters Ever

There is no question that the events of Hurricane Ike were awful. The emotional and fiscal damage will take years to repair. But every once in a while, a meteorological disaster creates a really intriguing moment in sports. Last night's may have been the most interesting yet.

So, the Brewers and the Cubs have been in a race for the NL central all year. There have been moments over the season in which the Cubs looked like the best team in baseball. Then the Brewers got CC Sabathia, and what followed were tremendous flashes of brilliance on their end.

However, they never once eclipsed the Cubs this season, and, especially this past week, have begun to look like they may not be able to hang onto the wild card.

Through the actions of mother nature, the Cubs were presented with a rather unique situation. The Cubs and Astros, due to the events of Ike, were to play their weekend series in a neutral site. The neutral site would be Miller Park, home of the Brewers.

So here is a really bizarre, yet captivating opportunity for the Cubs. They could essentially seal the fate of this season's biggest rival in their home park, without them even being there.

Last night, the scenery spoke for itself. Miller Park was packed with Cubs faithful that made the two-hour voyage to cheer on the returning Carlos Zambrano, whose shoulder health was a total mystery.

What was supposed to be a home game for the Astros (another team making a claim for a wild-card berth) well, wasn't. There wasn't an Astros fan in the house. And the new home team got a treat.

In what will go down as one of the most symbolic outings ever, Zambrano pitched a no-hitter against the Astros in the Brewers' stadium. The performance itself was insane, but to me it ranks second behind the ridiculous symbolism in the whole thing.

Here are the Cubs, a team that had been struggling in recent weeks. A team that left the door open for the Brewers, who themselves couldn't capitalize. And as the Brewers started to stumble, the Astros came out of nowhere to enter the wild-card race.  And in one game in Milwaukee, when the Brewers were not even playing, the Chicago Cubs dropped the hammer on both teams.

A win like this will surely invigorate the Cubs, but more importantly it makes their division lead a seemingly insurmountable 7.5 games and leaves the Brewers tied with the Phillies and only two games ahead of the Astros for the wild card.

Last night in Milwaukee, Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs slammed the door shut on the Brewers, and they weren't even there to see it. All because of mother nature.