One of One Hundred and Sixty-Two

Game One - Cubs 3 Brewers 4 - 10 innings
WP - Eric Gagne (1-0, BS 1) LP - Bobby Howry (0-1) Save - David Riske (1)

Despite the cold and the rain, it was Opening Day at Wrigley Field and the it had everything.... except for a Cubs win. The game started 40 minutes late and not even the weather dampened the spirits in and around the ballpark. The Ernie Banks Statue was unveiled a few hours before the first pitch, and it is a beautiful tribute to Mr. Cub.

Once the game began, it was a good ole fashion pitchers duel. Two of the game's best starting pitchers held both offensives to a combined 2 hits in the first 5 innings. Carlos Zambrano started out his season on a positive note before leaving with a cramp in his forearm with 2 outs in the 7th. Kerry Wood gave up the first runs of the game in the 9th. Wood hit Rickie Weeks to start the inning before allowing a 2-out, 2-run double by Corey Hart. Bobby Howry took the loss after giving up a leadoff double to Craig Counsel and a sacrifice fly to Tony Gwynn, Jr.

Those in attendance witnessed arguably one of the greatest debuts in team history by the Cubs first Japanese ballplayer. Kosuke Fukudome was Lou Piniella's offense. He reached base all 4 times to the plate and hit a game tying 3-run homer in the 9th off of Brewers' closer Eric Gagne.

While one game does not make a season, these two teams will have match-ups like the one on Opening Day throughout the year.

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