Game Ninety-Two - Cubs 4 Astros 2
Carlos Marmol won for the second time in a row, his third on the season and led his team to victory for the first time this season at home against the Astros. Marmol pitched himself in and out of trouble all night and out pitched his opponent Roy Oswalt. Marmol allowed just 1 run on 4 hits in 6 innings of work and struck out 6. Once he learns how to repeat his delivery and throw strikes on a consistent basis the Cubs might have a very special pitcher in Marmol.
The Cubs offense continued being productive on Tuesday night and put up 4 runs against Oswalt, the most he had allowed since June 20th against the Twins. Phil Nevin hit a huge 3-run homer in the 4th and Michael Barrett added a RBI double in the 5th, both with 2 outs. The Cubs played a very solid game led by their rookie right-hander.
This was a good pitchers duel and fortunately for the Cubs Roy Oswalt made the biggest mistake on the night. Nevin's home run in the 4th not only gave the Cubs the lead but it came with 2 outs and the offense was very efficient with runners in scoring position all night. For this team to record only 8 hits and score 4 runs without any free passes, it was a sight to see. The Cubs stranded only 2 on the night and recorded one hit against the Astros bullpen. The Cubs were 2 for 4 with runners in scoring position on the night and 2 for 3 with 2 outs.
The most impressive part of the Nevin home run was how it started. After Michael Barrett led off the inning with a single to right (Barrett is on fire right now) and with 2 outs, Jacque Jones lined a single to left. Nevin then took the third straight fastball from Oswalt over the left field wall for his 8th home run as a Cub and 17th of the year.
Not only was Marmol spectacular on the mound he also recorded his first Major League hit, a single in the 3rd to center and a sacrifice bunt in the 5th that led to the Cubs 4th run. Marmol did throw 110 pitches (65 for strikes) in his 6 innings but he made the pitches he needed to make. In the 4th after a leadoff walk to Lance Berkman, Aubrey Huff tripled him home but was stranded at 3rd.
Tuesday's performance by Marmol was even more impressive if you take into consideration that most teams do better against a pitcher the second time they see them. Marmol had his worst start of the season against Houston 15 days ago when he could not make it through the 5th inning. Dusty almost pulled him in the 6th with 2 outs but after a conference on the mound, Dusty left him in with runners on 1st and 2nd, Marmol balked and then got pinch hitter Luke Scott to ground out to 2nd to end the inning and he left the mound pumping his fist and pointing toward the sky....ala Carlos Zambrano.
After the "Youth Movement" the past two games, Wednesday night will be a battle of future Hall of Famers, hopefully Maddux can get back on track.
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A few thoughts.....
*Ramirez has done an excellent job on defense this year.
* I would like to see the Cubs keep Nevin. They have to keep an eye on 2007 and beyond and this is a guy who can play 1B/3b/LF/RF. He has a pretty potent bat off the bench, I would rather see Hendry ditch Mabry. Nevin though would probably rather be in a playoff race.
*Marmol is defintely in the Cubs future. I think he might be in the bullpen a lot of it depends on who Hendry can add to the rotation next year.
You have to figure; Zambrano, Prior (If healthy),
Marshall, are locks. But, because of Prior's health Hendry needs to pick up 2 bonafide starters.
Zito, Schmidt, Radke. I would like to see if he could get Oliver Perez from Pittsburgh. When that guy is on he is tough.
* Phil Rogers wrote in todays Tribune that Dusty should be given two more years because there is not much of an alternative. This guy also wanted to see the Cubs trade Zambrano last March. I guess what I am trying to say, I don't want Phil Rogers to be the Cubs G.M. anytime soon.
* I would love to see the Cubs trade for Bobby Abreu. Solid defender with speed, power and a Total on Base Machine. There is no law that say's the Phillies have to trade him to a contender.
* I hope Hendry is working on 2007. Theriot is probably not going to be the answer at 2B but do we really want to see Perez out there? Todd Walker's act has grown old, he is a very nice guy and is a good hitter vs Right handers but he is a platoon guy and nothing more.
* Nice to see Dempster get back on track so Hendry can concentrate on other things.
Jim...thank you for mentioning Dempster, I failed to do so in the recap. He looked very sharp on Tuesday as he picked up his 15th save on the season.
jim, I definitely think Hendry should pursue a couple proven starters as well. If that does get done however, I am excited about the Cubs having a young talented pitching staff again. Zambrano, Prior, Marshall, and Marmol could be a very strong rotation next year and something to be excited about. (along with a free agent pitcher or two). Keep giving Marshall and Marmol the regular starts for the rest of the season to get the experience, but I can't help but like these two pitchers who throw the ball with so much confidence. (perhaps Hill should take some notes).
I love the way Marmol pitches, If Maddux leaves the club I think they need to bring Hill up and see if he can get things figured out in the majors yet.
If Marmol were pitching against even a decent lineup he would've been rocked for 5+ runs. 6BB in one start...good lord.