All Aboard the E-Train, 5/29 Reds @ Cubs Game Thread (Cubs Win)

[reds44]

vs.

vs.
Elizardo Ramirez (2-3, 3.72) vs. Kerry Wood (0-1, 6.30 ERA)

An important three-game series for both the Reds and Cubs will begin on Memorial Day at Wrigley Field.
The Reds are looking for a repeat performance from right-hander Elizardo Ramirez, who earned his second victory of the season in his last start against the Brewers, allowing just three runs on five hits.

Ramirez will be making his first career appearance against the Cubs.

Chicago, meanwhwile, is keeping a watchful eye on right-hander Kerry Wood, who had his start pushed back a day due to continued shoulder soreness.

The Reds are hoping the winds will be favorable at Wrigley Field to help them continue to recover from their recent scoring drought.

"Everyone's trying to do too much to break out of it," said Reds manager Jerry Narron.

Pitching matchup
CIN: RHP Elizardo Ramirez (2-3, 3.72 ERA)
In his five starts, the Reds have gone 2-3 and scored 19 runs.

CHN: RHP Kerry Wood (0-1, 6.30 ERA)
Wood is 12-4 with a 3.06 ERA in 22 appearances, including 20 starts, against the Reds.

Player to watch
Austin Kearns has hit eight career home runs at Wrigley, including two this season. That's the most Kearns has hit at any visiting park.

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN

On radio
• WLW 700 AM

Up next
• Tuesday: Reds (LHP Brandon Claussen, 3-5, 5.25) at Cubs (RHP Greg Maddux, 5-4, 4.28), 8:05 p.m. ET.
• Wednesday: Reds (LHP Eric Milton, 2-2, 5.52) at Cubs (RHP Carlos Zambrano, 3-2, 3.45), 8:05 p.m. ET.
• Off day
• Friday: Reds (RHP Aaron Harang, 5-4, 3.70) at Houston (LHP Wandy Rodriguez, 6-2, 3.95), 8:05 p.m. ET.

Jeff Wallner is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Wrigley Field:



Reds:
Name AVG HR RBI SB
1. F Lopez, SS .297 5 18 16
2. A Dunn, LF .229 16 31 1
3. K Griffey Jr., CF .237 6 26 0
4. R Aurilia, 3B .252 6 16 1
5. S Hatteberg, 1B .298 3 11 0
6. A Kearns, RF .297 10 30 2
7. B Phillips, 2B .304 4 31 10
8. J LaRue, C .206 3 9 0
9. E Ramirez, P .222 0 0 0

Cubs:
Name AVG HR RBI SB
1. J Pierre, CF .234 0 3 15
2. T Womack, 2B .714 0 1 0
3. M Barrett, C .293 6 24 0
4. T Walker, 1B .298 2 22 0
5. A Ramirez, 3B .238 9 24 1
6. J Jones, RF .281 7 22 0
7. M Murton, LF .280 3 19 2
8. R Cedeno, SS .283 1 14 5
9. K Wood, P .333 0 1 0

Top 1ST B:1 S:1 O:1
Felipe Lopez grounds out, second baseman Tony Womack to first baseman Todd Walker.
Top 1ST B:2 S:3 O:2
Adam Dunn called out on strikes.
Top 1ST B:2 S:3 O:3
Ken GriffeyJr. strikes out swinging, catcher Michael Barrett to first baseman Todd Walker.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 1ST
Bottom 1ST B:0 S:0 O:1
Juan Pierre bunt grounds out, pitcher Elizardo Ramirez to first baseman Scott Hatteberg.
Bottom 1ST B:1 S:2 O:1
Tony Womack doubles (3) on a ground ball to left fielder Adam Dunn.
Bottom 1ST B:1 S:3 O:2
Michael Barrett strikes out swinging.
Bottom 1ST B:1 S:2 O:2
Todd Walker singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ken GriffeyJr. Tony Womack scores.
Bottom 1ST B:1 S:1 O:2
Aramis Ramirez doubles (10) on a pop up to second baseman Brandon Phillips. Todd Walker scores.
Bottom 1ST B:2 S:1 O:3
Jacque Jones grounds out softly to first baseman Scott Hatteberg.

Top 2ND B:1 S:1 O:1
Rich Aurilia lines out to left fielder Matt Murton.
Top 2ND B:1 S:2 O:2
Scott Hatteberg grounds out, shortstop Ronny Cedeno to first baseman Todd Walker.
Top 2ND B:1 S:3 O:3
Austin Kearns strikes out swinging.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 2ND
Bottom 2ND B:0 S:0 O:1
Matt Murton grounds out, second baseman Brandon Phillips to first baseman Scott Hatteberg.
Bottom 2ND B:0 S:1 O:2
Ronny Cedeno lines out to shortstop Felipe Lopez.
Bottom 2ND B:1 S:1 O:2
Kerry Wood doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Adam Dunn.
Top 2ND B:1 S:1 O:1
Rich Aurilia lines out to left fielder Matt Murton.
Bottom 2ND B:2 S:2 O:3
Juan Pierre grounds out softly, pitcher Elizardo Ramirez to first baseman Scott Hatteberg.

Top 3RD B:0 S:2 O:0
Brandon Phillips singles on a line drive to center fielder Juan Pierre.
Top 3RD B:1 S:1 O:0
With Jason LaRue batting, passed ball by Michael Barrett, Brandon Phillips to 2nd.
Top 3RD B:1 S:2 O:1
Jason LaRue pops out to third baseman Aramis Ramirez.
Top 3RD B:0 S:0 O:2
Elizardo Ramirez grounds out, third baseman Aramis Ramirez to first baseman Todd Walker. Brandon Phillips to 3rd.
Top 3RD B:3 S:2 O:2
Felipe Lopez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jacque Jones. Brandon Phillips scores.
Top 3RD B:1 S:2 O:3
Adam Dunn grounds out, second baseman Tony Womack to first baseman Todd Walker.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 3RD
Bottom 3RD B:1 S:1 O:0
Tony Womack reaches on throwing error by shortstop Felipe Lopez.
Bottom 3RD B:0 S:2 O:1
Michael Barrett grounds out softly, shortstop Felipe Lopez to first baseman Scott Hatteberg. Tony Womack to 2nd.
Bottom 3RD B:1 S:0 O:2
Todd Walker flies out to center fielder Ken GriffeyJr. Tony Womack to 3rd.
Bottom 3RD B:1 S:3 O:3
Aramis Ramirez strikes out swinging.

Top 4TH B:2 S:2 O:0
Ken GriffeyJr. singles on a ground ball to first baseman Todd Walker.
Top 4TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Rich Aurilia singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Aramis Ramirez. Ken GriffeyJr. to 2nd.
Top 4TH B:1 S:0 O:0
With Scott Hatteberg batting, wild pitch by Kerry Wood, Ken GriffeyJr. to 3rd. Rich Aurilia to 2nd.
Top 4TH B:1 S:0 O:1
Scott Hatteberg lines out softly to second baseman Tony Womack.
Top 4TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Austin Kearns out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Matt Murton. Ken GriffeyJr. scores.
Top 4TH B:4 S:1 O:2
Brandon Phillips walks.
Top 4TH B:1 S:0 O:3
Jason LaRue grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Aramis Ramirez. Rich Aurilia out at 3rd.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 4TH
Bottom 4TH B:0 S:1 O:1
Jacque Jones grounds out, second baseman Brandon Phillips to first baseman Scott Hatteberg.
Bottom 4TH B:1 S:2 O:1
Matt Murton singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Rich Aurilia.
Bottom 4TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Ronny Cedeno singles on a fly ball to left fielder Adam Dunn. Matt Murton to 3rd.
Bottom 4TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Kerry Wood singles on a ground ball to left fielder Adam Dunn. Matt Murton scores. Ronny Cedeno to 2nd.
Bottom 4TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Juan Pierre out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Jason LaRue to first baseman Scott Hatteberg. Ronny Cedeno to 3rd. Kerry Wood to 2nd.
Bottom 4TH B:1 S:1 O:3
Tony Womack grounds out softly, second baseman Brandon Phillips to first baseman Scott Hatteberg.

Top 5TH B:1 S:3 O:1
Elizardo Ramirez called out on strikes.
Top 5TH B:2 S:2 O:2
Felipe Lopez grounds out, second baseman Tony Womack to first baseman Todd Walker.
Top 5TH B:1 S:1 O:3
Adam Dunn grounds out softly to first baseman Todd Walker.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 5TH
Bottom 5TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Defensive Substitution: Ryan Freel replaces second baseman Brandon Phillips, batting 7th.
Bottom 5TH B:0 S:1 O:1
Michael Barrett flies out to left fielder Adam Dunn.
Bottom 5TH B:0 S:1 O:1
Todd Walker singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Adam Dunn.
Bottom 5TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Aramis Ramirez pops out to third baseman Rich Aurilia.
Bottom 5TH B:1 S:2 O:3
Jacque Jones grounds out, second baseman Ryan Freel to first baseman Scott Hatteberg.

Top 6TH B:0 S:1 O:0
Ken GriffeyJr. singles on a ground ball to center fielder Juan Pierre.
Top 6TH B:2 S:1 O:2
Rich Aurilia grounds into double play, third baseman Aramis Ramirez to second baseman Tony Womack to first baseman Todd Walker. Ken GriffeyJr. out at 2nd.
Top 6TH B:2 S:2 O:3
Scott Hatteberg grounds out softly, second baseman Tony Womack to first baseman Todd Walker.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 6TH
Bottom 6TH B:1 S:1 O:0
Matt Murton homers (4) on a fly ball to left center field.
Bottom 6TH B:1 S:2 O:1
Ronny Cedeno pops out to second baseman Ryan Freel.
Bottom 6TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Freddie Bynum replaces Kerry Wood.
Bottom 6TH B:1 S:3 O:2
Freddie Bynum strikes out swinging.

Top 7TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: David Aardsma replaces Kerry Wood, batting 9th.
Top 7TH B:1 S:3 O:1
Austin Kearns strikes out swinging.
Top 7TH B:0 S:3 O:2
Ryan Freel strikes out swinging.
Top 7TH B:4 S:2 O:2
Jason LaRue walks.
Top 7TH B:0 S:0 O:2
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Quinton McCracken replaces Elizardo Ramirez.
Top 7TH B:1 S:2 O:3
Quinton McCracken grounds out, second baseman Tony Womack to first baseman Todd Walker.
--------------------------- MIDDLE 7TH
Bottom 7TH B:0 S:0 O:0
Pitcher Change: Kent Mercker replaces Elizardo Ramirez, batting 9th.
Bottom 7TH B:1 S:1 O:0
Tony Womack singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Kent Mercker.
Bottom 7TH B:0 S:0 O:1
Michael Barrett grounds into a force out, shortstop Felipe Lopez to second baseman Ryan Freel. Tony Womack out at 2nd. Michael Barrett to 1st.
Bottom 7TH B:3 S:1 O:1
Todd Walker homers (3) on a fly ball to center field. Michael Barrett scores.
Bottom 7TH B:2 S:0 O:2
Aramis Ramirez flies out to center fielder Ken GriffeyJr.

[RedsIn07]

Dunn pretty much owns Kerry so far in his career .290/.488/.774 with 5 HR in 31 AB's.

[Matt700wlw]

I want to go back to Wrigley field....it is the coolest place to watch a ball game.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by Matt700wlw

I want to go back to Wrigley field....it is the coolest place to watch a ball game (nude).

I agree.

[reds44]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

I agree.

[Matt700wlw]

As we all (hopefully) enjoy the Reds game today, let's not forget what this day really means.

Thanks to those who fought, currently fight, and will fight to protect the freedoms we all probably take for granted.

[reds44]

Lineups posted.

2 out of 3 games with no EE, Jerry needs to cut it out.

[RedsIn07]

The Cubs have an OBP of .303 this year, the Reds have a .346 clip, they lead the NL with 215 BB the Cubs are last with a 120 BB.

[TeamBoone]

Wow! The opening post is very very nice. Thank you for all that work.

The Cubs have lost 21 so far in May. Let's hope the Reds can elevate that record.

[Chip R]

Sure would love to see the Reds whup Kerry Wood.

[harangatang]

Originally Posted by Matt700wlw

As we all (hopefully) enjoy the Reds game today, let's not forget what this day really means.

Thanks to those who fought, currently fight, and will fight to protect the freedoms we all probably take for granted.

Sometimes it's easy to forget things like this, if it wasn't for days like this there may have been no such thing as baseball or anything as we know it. Thanks for the reminder.

[TeamBoone]

Originally Posted by reds44

Lineups posted.

2 out of 3 games with no EE, Jerry needs to cut it out.

Totally agreed. What the heck is he thinking?

He also needs to stop batting RA in the four slot... he has done nothing to warrant that spot and has probably batted there more than anyone else this year (I didn't look it up).

I've never understood the fascination with Wrigley because I hate it so much. After a game viewed from my not cheap, third row seat along the 3B line, I left with a stiff neck that lasted for days because the site line to homeplate is soooo terrible. Plus the inside is like a cave and smells like a NYC subway. I have no desire to ever return.

Thanks for the reminder, Matt. This should be held as a very special day of thanks to all American soldiers (past, present, and future) and especially gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by reds44

Lineups posted.

2 out of 3 games with no EE, Jerry needs to cut it out.

Cannot say that people did not see this coming. Although Rich has done pretty well at 1st lately. Yeah, he messed up that one play yesterday but he made more than he screwed up.

[M2]

I was going to pick on the Cubs for hitting Todd Walker cleanup until I saw the Reds had Aurilia there. He's hitting .218/.259/.327 against RHPs this year and has no business hitting #4 against them. I think he helped prove that yesterday.

[kaldaniels]

Dunn in the 2 hole?...has Narron done that before?