Running the Bases with Alexandra Shloss: Game #63 Pirates at Cubs September 15, 2012

Meghan and I came back for another game, and this time I received some Wandy Rodriguez time! He was the Pirates starting pitcher for today.

The big news of the day was that Jorge Soler, the Cubs big draft pick, would be there during batting practice. This is probably him.

Here's Anthony Recker and JoJo talking it up.

Jeff Beliveau said he was just really tired.

Steve and Blake having fun shagging balls.

Justin Germano

The genius that is Dave Kaplan.

Still having fun.

Shawn Camp. My goal to have Meghan meet all my favorite Cubs players in one weekend was working.

Blake Parker

Next, we visited the infamous Bartman seats. Don't know the story? It's too painful to recount. Wikipedia Steve Bartman and see what comes up.

Here's David DeJesus winning Player of the Month because he is amazing.

Here's Jason Berken giving it his best shot.

And here's Gorgeous Jones. He drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning.

I doubt this young man's shirt is true.

Our seats were in the sun. When I say it was hot, think seventh layer of Hell. So I spent a lot of time complaining. They were great seats, very close, but very, very hot. We moved to the 200 section under the canopy.

The Pirates scored 1 more in the second. Then in the third, Andrew McCutchen did what he does best--home run.

Here's Joe Mather.

And here's Dave Sappelt singling in the top of the third.

Mather hit into a fielder's choice, then reached second when Darwin singled. Then Joe stole third because he's fast and aggressive. When Rizzo singled, Mather scored and Barney moved to third.

End of the third, 3-1 Pirates.

But the fourth was full of fun for the Pirates as well. This Andrew McCutchen single was one of the least exciting things in the inning.

This Garrett Jones single drive in Travis Snider, one of three runs the Pirates scored in the fourth. And here are some photos of Garrett Jones.

Rafael Dolis came in to pitch the fifth,

James Russell warms in the pen.

Me and Meghan enjoying the game, despite the score.

Here's sleepy Jeff Beliveau warming up.

In the fifth, the Cubs cut the deficit to 6-3. Here's beautiful Anthony Recker hitting for Jeff Beliveau in the sixth.

Here's Alberto Cabrera on to pitch the seventh. Barmes homered so the Pirates took a 7-3 lead.

Here's Michael Bowden looking peeved but probably the sun is just in his eyes.

Here's a Starlin Castro double. Valbuena drove him in with a single, making the score 7-4 Pirates.

Meanwhile, Meghan and I keep our eye on the Twins score.

Here's Michael Bowden to pitch the ninth, and Valbuena stayed in the game at third.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs rallied, like they always do. Joe Mather led off the inning with a double.

Darwin Barney walked, and then Soriano singled to drive in Mather. Tony Campana came in to run for Sori.

Castro flied out, moving Darwin to third, and soon after, as usual, Tony stole second. Wellington Castillo walked, then Valbuena walked, driving in Darwin.