Cubs grab first sweep at home, Ramirez smashes 2-run shot

Sunday the Cub bats ripped Pirates' pitching again. Ryan Dempster looked crisp, going 5 innings to earn his 3rd win. The 13-6 romp by the Cubs included a 4-hit showing by Aramis Ramirez who hit an RBI double and followed it up in the 5th with a 2-run homer. The lineup compiled 18 hits in the game and forced Pirates starter Zack Duke out of the game after the 4th inning. The Cubs have won 5-of-6 in the homestand, a complete turnaround from last season's slow start and record at Wrigley.

I have to give it up for Ryan Theriot, who's batting .338. He's been so consistent at the plate, banging out 15-of-his 23 hits at Wrigley Field. The passionate infielder will be underestimated on the road, but cherished at home this season. Derek Lee is getting hot, serving up 2 hits and 2 RBIs against the Pirates while leading the majors with 7 homeruns. Seeing this kind of solid production on the road from the middle of the order would be awesome.

I wouldn't even have imagined Ryan Dempster being in the rotation let alone be the first Cubs pitcher to go 3-0. He seems to be settling back in as a starter. These role reversals are working magic in the early season. I think the extra at-bats pinching hitting for the young guys off the bench is great because they're getting the exposure they lacked last year. Ronny Cedeno is looking sharper at the plate and getting to start at shortstop sometimes will only enable him to grow as a player. The bench will be an influential factor to the Cubs' success.

Kerry Wood received a day to rest Sunday and watched his team improve to 12-6. The weekend sweep at home came on a day where WGN celebrated 60 years of Cubs baseball with a documentary entitled Cubs Forever. A look back on franchise history with interviews and highlights were aired. Great feature on the 1984 and '89 playoff clinching series! Cubs square off against the Mets today. The starters will be Carlos Zambrano (2-1) vs. John Maine (1-1). Do your thing Big Z!