K-Fuk, Big-Z Have Great Games, but Cubs Fall to Brew Crew in Extras

    An eventful Opening Day 2008 passed today, with 14 games broadcasted to the masses over the HD airwaves once again.  It was nirvana for the baseball fan as the ESPN family of networks covered all the action all day, MLB Extra Innings was once again bringing the nation to your TV, and WGN kicked of the 2008 Chicago Cubs season.  The Cubs game was definitely an eventful one, and what a way to start the season for the "Cardiac Cubs," even though the end result was not the desired one.  The game went through the first 6+ innings as an all-out pitchers duel, with Ben Sheets and Big Z firing on all cylinders.  Sheets baffled most of the Cubs hitters with wicked breaking stuff and a fastball all-day, while Zambrano dominated with an electric slider and his usual fastball.  In the 6th, however, things started to go a little loopy.  There was a pop-up above the mound that was met with some confusion, and ended with both the 6.5 footed Derrek Lee and Carlos Zambrano on the ground (the latter whom had the ball in his mitt).  Unfortunately, after that Zambrano proceeded to pick-off Bill Hall at second, but was forced to leave the game with the usual "cramps" he sometimes has to succumb to.  The good news as of now is, however, that this usually hasn't been a serious issue in the past, and he did throw 89 great pitches today...he'll be ready for his next start (a little less Guitar Hero, though).  Carlos Marmol came into the game to relieve El Toro, and proceeded to dish out the "Marmolade™" the Brew Crew, striking out 3 of the 4 hitters he faced.  Kid K had some trouble in the ninth, yielding 3 runs to the Brewers, but the ever-entertaining Eric Gagné started the fun in his half of the ninth.  His oversized uniform and foggy glasses were blamed (yeah, right) for walking both D.Lee and A.Ram to start the inning.  Then, Kosuke Fukudome came up, at which point he had already been 2-2 (1B,2B,BB) in the game already, and smacked a Gagné offering into the right-center field bleachers for a three-run blast to tie the game.  Hopefully K-Fuk's sweet swing will continue to produce as he did today, all year.  The game ended, however, with the Cubs getting the short end of the stick as they lost 4-3 in the 10th.  This game was a great start, though, as some things went the Cubs way.  Z and Marmol looked lights-out, Fukudome had a great game, and Soto drew 2 walks.  If Soriano, Lee, and A.Ram can just pick it up a bit and return to 2006 form (2005 for Lee), then this club can be really potent.  It's the first game, satisfying start, it should be a great year.

On Wednesday, the two teams will play Game 2 of the series, as Ted Lilly faces Jeff Suppan.