Pittsburgh (6-11) at Chicago (8-9)
Currently: - Game info: 2:20 pm EDT Sun Apr 24, 2005
- TV: FSPI, WGN
Kerry Wood hopes to earn his first win for the Chicago Cubs when they complete a rain-shortened two-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Wood has been tagged for five homers in his last two starts. He allowed five runs and eight hits—including a pair of homers—in six innings in his last outing on Monday and failed to receive a decision in a 7-6 loss at Cincinnati.
“I’m pleased with way I threw the ball, obviously not pleased with the results,” Wood said. “I thought I had decent command, and my slider was better than it has been this year. Overall, it was probably the best I’ve thrown. Unfortunately it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to.”
The 27-year-old right-hander is just 3-5 with a 3.56 ERA in 13 career starts against the Pirates, including 2-2 with a 2.67 ERA in five home starts.
Wood will try to pick Chicago up after closer LaTroy Hawkins suffered his second blown save in a 4-3 loss on Saturday. Jason Bay’s solo homer with one out off Hawkins tied the game and Bobby Hill’s two-out RBI triple gave Pittsburgh the lead for good.
“I don’t know what to tell you,” Chicago manager Dusty Baker said. “We’re snake-bit. I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board or do something else.”
Despite the win, struggling Pittsburgh shortstop Jack Wilson went 0-for-4 after being dropped to seventh in the batting order from second. Wilson is hitless in his last 23 at-bats.
“I’m trying to get Jack a break here,” Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon said. “I think he’s been pressing at the top of the order.”
The Cubs purchased the contract of outfielder Ben Grieve from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. Grieve, who singled in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter, hit .250 with one home run and six RBIs in 15 games with Chicago last season after being acquired from Milwaukee.
“With the way we’re setting up right now after Nomar’s (Garciaparra) injury, we think we’re better served with a veteran left-handed pinch hitter off the bench,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.
Team Comparison
| Team | Record | Standings | Away/Home | Streak | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 67-95 | 6th Central | Away 33-48 | Won 2 | 5-5 |
| Chicago | 79-83 | 4th Central | Home 38-43 | Lost 2 | 5-5 |
Bucs Dugout
Bleed Cubbie Blue
