One of the best parts of the Cubs playing afternoon games is that your nights are free. While most MLB teams play at night, the Cubs are required to play mostly during the day which is usually a blessing. For example, today the Cubs played their usual Friday afternoon home game (the only team in baseball to play on Friday afternoons). Their early game time allowed Chicago sports fans the option of also attending the Chicago Blackhawks opening playoff game at the United Center tonight. Of course, my plan was to attend both games.

In the first game of the day, the Cubs started out slow falling behind to the one-win Houston Astros 2-1. Carlos Silva drove in the Cubs run with his first double and RBI since August 25, 2003.

It was not until the bottom of the 8th inning when the Cubs’ bats woke up. Ryan Theriot bunted in the go-ahead run and Derrek Lee capped the six-run inning with a 417-foot, three-run home run as the Cubs defeated the Astros 7-2.

Post Game Dining
After the game, we ate at El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill. Depending on where you exit Wrigley Field, El Mariachi is only a 4 to 6 block walk away to the northeast. It is also out of the partying crowds of Wrigleyville. So if you are craving Mexican food and looking for a calm place to eat after the game, this is the place for you.