Cubs sweep Pirates behind Marquis
Chicago Cubs' starting pitcher Jason Marquis delivers against the Washington Nationals in the second inning during a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Two bunts, one double and nine well-pitched innings. The Chicago Cubs proved on a Wrigley Field-like day they can win when their bats aren't booming, and their by-the-textbook victory came before they begin what may be their toughest stretch all season.
Jason Marquis shut down Pittsburgh's batters on a cool, windy day that must have made the Cubs feel at home, and Chicago turned two well-placed bunts into two runs in the seventh inning to sweep yet another three-game series from the Pirates with a 2-0 victory Wednesday.
"That's the sign of a good team, one that can win in different ways," Reed Johnson said. "We've been able to win the last couple of weeks by sitting back and swinging the bat. Today we weren't swinging the bats very well, so we were able to play a little bit different game and it ended up working out for us.
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