Early Friday Fireworks.

Chicago Cubs v Washington Nationals, April 25, 2008


Nationals Park, Sec 104 Row T

The Nats haven't been drawing very well in their new stadium early.  It's a good thing the Cubs have fans who travel well.  It was a festive atmosphere in the park with over 35,000 in attendance, man Cubs fans.

Ryan Dempster got the nod for the Cubs.   And he was wounded early.  After a Ryan Zimmerman walk, first baseman Nick Johnson hit a deep home run to the right field line for a quick 2-0 lead.

In the 3rd the Cubs responded with a Ryan Teriot doubled scoring Reed Johnson who was on after being hit by a pitch by the Nats Odalis Perez.

In the 5th the Cubs scored again when Amaris Ramirez scored Johnson on a force play.  The Nats are capable of small ball as well.  Lastings Milledge poked a ball through the 1st and 2nd baseman scoring Christian Guzman for a 3-2 Nats lead.

The Nationals managed to load the bases in the 8th.  This is an example of the weak Nats bullpen.  Not only did the pen load the bases, reliever Matt Conner walked in the Cubs Mike Conner for the tying run.

With a packed house still in the park for a Friday night post fireworks show the Nationals got the festivities started early.  Austin Kearns singled to center field putting the game winning run on first. With one out Will Nieves hit a 0-2 deep to right winning the game and setting off the fireworks early.