As it turns out, one of the best pitching outings of the season is still not enough for the Cubs. Randy Wells, a rookie brought up to fill in for the Cubs ailing pitching staff, took a no-hitter against the Braves into the seventh inning, and finished the game having given up just two hits. But that did not guarantee him the win, as Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg combined to give up four runs in two innings, taking the game into extra innings. Alas, the Cubs couldn't hold on for a win, losing 6-5 in the 12th inning.
Wells was actually just one good acting job away from a taking a perfect game into the seventh. In the fourth inning, Yunel Escobar reacted to a close pitch that appeared to hit Escobar, but actually hit his bat. Escobar was awarded first, but Wells pitched out the jam.
In the seventh, with two outs, Chipper Jones hit a single into the left field, ending Wells' no-hit attempt. Garret Anderson followed that up with a home run in the eighth, just inside the right field foul pole. Wells was pulled in the eighth, and Carlos Marmol nearly gave up the lead then, walking in a run and giving up another one on a sacrifice. Kevin Gregg then put the nail in the coffin for Wells, giving up a two-run home run to Jeff Franceour to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. The game stretched into the 12th, when Jones hit another single into left field, sending home Escobar for the game-winning run.
In what should have been a game that toasted Randy Wells and gave the Cubs' bullpen a night off, ended up being a loss for the team and another no decision for the young pitcher. The Cubs have traditionally excelled in June, but this was a tough start not only for the month, but for the 10-game road trip.
Maggie Hendricks is a lifelong Chicagoan who has loved sports since she fell in love with Jody Davis at age three. She also writes for Cagewriter, Yahoo! Sports' MMA blog, and Fourth-Place Medal, Yahoo! Sports' Olympic blog.
