Cubs’ first baseman Derrek Lee turned 31 Wednesday and celebrated by hitting a grand slam home run in the eighth inning to help his team beat the Pirates 7-2.
Rich Hill, making his 12th start for the North Siders, tossed seven and 1/3 innings, giving up just one run and striking out 11 Pirates.
“It’s what you wish for on your birthday,” said Lee. “Actually, I wished for a game where Ronny Cedeno makes less than three errors, Ryan Theriot doesn’t get picked off base and Ryan Dempster doesn’t blow a save.”
Lee was elated that Cedeno made only one error, that Theriot wasn’t picked off and Dempster stayed in the bullpen. The win and grand slam, according to Lee, both fell into the “birthday bonus” category.
He then added that his other birthday wish was to help his team reach the goal of “respectability” that Dusty Baker set after the All-Star break. After the game, Baker insisted that climbing out of last place meant he is a successful manager, what, with the injuries and all, remember?
Number of the Day: 3
Games won by the Cubs since they traded Neifi Perez Aug. 20.
