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Holy cow what a win for the Chicago Cubs over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night! With the score 4-2 in the eighth inning, Aramis Ramirez came to the plate with the bases loaded and smashed a grand slam off of Phillies reliever Chad Durbin to give the Cubs the 6-4 lead. Kerry Wood made sure that lead held up in the ninth and the Cubs took the first game in the four game series.

I knew that it would be a tough game against the Phillies as they were sending Cole Hamels to the mound. Hamels pitched seven innings and only allowed five hits as the Cubs just couldn’t get anything going off of him. Once Hamels was pulled from the game however, the Cubs bats came alive.

Mike Fontenot got everything started with this solo home run off of Ryan Madson to lead off the eighth inning and then we all know what happened when Ramirez came to the plate with the bases loaded. It just seemed like the hitters had a big sigh of relief when Hamels was taken out of the game and they had a lot more confidence hitting against the Phillies bullpen.

Ryan Dempster struggled as he threw six inning and allowed eight hits and four runs. He ended up with the no decision in the game and is still 15-5 on the year. Bob Howry who pitched the eighth inning received the win to improve his record to 6-4. Wood made his fourth straight appearance for his 28th save of the season. I’d expect Wood to get Friday off and see Carlos Marmol in the closers role.

It will be a short turn around for both teams as they will play a afternoon game at Wrigley Field on Friday. Rich Harden will be going against his ex teammate in Oakland Joe Blanton.