Mark Prior was relaxing on the couch before Tuesday night’s game with San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium, mentally preparing himself for his first start in nearly a month.
In the opposite corner of the room, the clubhouse boom box was playing “You Light Up My Life,” a leisurely ballad often heard at weddings and proms before Prior was born.
It was not exactly music to psyche yourself up by, especially before your most important start of the season.
“This is putting me to sleep,” Prior said.
Kerry Wood changed the mood in the nick of time, turning off the music and keeping his teammate alert.
Credit Wood with the save after Prior pitched lights out against San Diego, picking up right where he left off before the All-Star break in a 3-0 victory over the Padres. Shaking off the cobwebs, Prior allowed no runs on two hits in six innings, striking out six.
“Coming in here, there were a lot of emotions,” Prior said. “We’re playing good baseball, and for me personally, coming off the disabled list, there was a lot of anxiety after not pitching for three weeks. Coming back here and pitching in your hometown in front of friends and family, there were a lot of things going on.”
With Houston and St. Louis losing, the Cubs moved to within 2 1/2 games of the Astros and a half game of the Cardinals. It’s the closest they’ve been to first since July 12.
Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer in the ninth, and Joe Borowski pitched the ninth for his 20th save.
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Up next
Wednesday: Kerry Wood (10-8, 3.49)
vs. Adam Eaton (6-7, 4.15).
9:05 p.m.;
Fox Sports Net, WGN-AM 720
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Edited by Michael Kellams (mkellams@tribune.com)
