The Morning After: Cubs Edge Sox In Thrilling Pitchers' Duel
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 14, 2010 3:00PM
The first round of this year's Crosstown Classic series wrapped up in dramatic fashion last night at Wrigley Field as the Cubs edged the Sox 1-0 [Cubs recap, Sox recap] in a game that began with a tribute to the Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks and saw both teams' starters take no-hitters into the seventh inning. The Cubs broke through first in the bottom of the seventh as Alfonso Soriano hit a two-out double of the Sox' Gavin Floyd which was followed by a Chad Tracy single, scoring Soriano. As for the Sox, Ted Lilly kept them hitless into the ninth when pinch-hitter Juan Pierre singled to break up Lilly's no-no. Then things got interesting as Lilly was pulled in favor of Carlos Marmol. Marmol walked Jones and then balked, sending Pierre to third and Jones to second with no outs. But the Sox failed to take advantage: after striking out Alexi Ramirez, Marmol intentionally walked Alex Rios which paid off in the form of a force out at home on a Paul Konerko grounder. With the bases still loaded, Carlos Quentin flew out to center field.
Floyd went the distance for the Sox, pitching eight innings in which he gave up the lone run and struck out nine. Lilly allowed one hit and struck out three, earning the win over eight-plus innings pitched while Marmol got his 13th save on the year. Lilly, who received a standing ovation from the fans as he exited in the ninth, said, "It was unbelievable. There was so much energy. I can't remember that much energy -- I guess I'd have to go back to 2001 [with the Yankees] and the World Series and some of those big late inning game-winning homers and you get that kind of feeling. It was awesome and really special." Added Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen, "Whoever paid a ticket to watch these last two games in this ballpark, it was worth every penny. They were watching pretty good baseball."
The two teams get today off before continuing inter-league play on Tuesday. The Cubs welcome Oakland to town tomorrow night (7:05 p.m., CSN) while the Sox head to Pittsburgh (6:05 p.m., CSN+).