Cubs 5 Pirates 2

The Cubs continue their mediocre ways, pushing their record back to .500 today. It was a pretty good game, Kerry Wood only gave up 2 runs (a good outing for him this year) but was only able to pitch 5 innings due to shoulder tendonitis. The guys in the broadcast booth made it sound like a precaution due to the weather, but I guess we'll learn more about that tomorrow.

The Good:
Neifi Perez continues to astound us all by hitting the hell out of the ball. Neifi's current line stands at .396/.420/.563 and he doubled, homered and singled today. He also continues to have good AB's, especially late in the game when he shortened up his swing to drive in Corey Patterson with a single for an insurance run.

Jeromy Burnitz slapped out of a mini-slump by clubbing a 3 run homer that proved to be the difference.

The bullpen: Chad Fox came in to pitch the ninth and managed to get the save without giving me a heart attack. Michael Wuertz also pitched another solid inning.

The Bad:
Wood walked the leadoff man in at least 3 innings. He also went only 5 innings, although it's still unknown if that was precautionary or reactionary.

Michael Barrett continues to look lost at the plate, with another 0-fer. Barrett does his best when he works the count, and hits the ball where it's pitched. Right now it appears he's trying to pull everything, and he's jumping on the first pitch way too much.

The Ugly:
The Cubs outfield defense was not good today. Jason DuBois looked extremely slow in leftfield, Jeromy Burnitz does not yet have a feel for playing Wrigley's right field when the wind is blowing, and the less said about Jerry Hairston in center, the better.

Not too much to complaining about, a win and no major injuries as good as it's gotten lately.