The only thing you can say about Marquis performance is great. So far well worth the money.

Didn't get to see or hear a lot of the game, (was helping coach the high school team in tournament-lost by the way, then had beer league softball, tuned in to hear the last inning. Go Cubs. Lets get em tomorrow!

Thanks Neil for the Rocky info.

Anthony and Chad, I think that we need to get rid of Jones and play Pie and Murton more. Getting rid of Jones would be an addition by subtraction. Having Pie's defence and Murton's offense would make up or Jones bat abd D. I would like to see his RISP #'s. I bet it is very low. I do think that he has played alot better D in center compared to right. I do remember a couple of games ago were Jones had a terrific throw from right to 3rd. It surprised the hell out of me. But if we are to trade away Jones he needs to play everyday so we can get something for him. The second he gets benched for Pie is when his value hits the bottom.

I was totally against the Marquis signing from the start but will now eat a little crow and say that I am very happy with what he has done. He looks like a different pitcher out there compared to years past. I hope he keeps it up because I am starting to warm up to him, not like my man Delicious(DLee), but a warming up.

Chad,

Most importantly, the Cubs win. That's all I care about in the end.

You can love Jones all you want and vote for him to the All star team, more power to you. And every time he comes to the plate, I'll be rooting for him as much as you. When he doesn't come through, don't be offended when he gets called out by me and the rest of Cub nation for continuing to fail when it counts.

For the record, Murton at Jones had very similar stats (both avg and OBP) last year against right handed pitchers. I could care less that Jones bats left handed.

My silence worked! Cubs Win woooohuuuuu!

Yeah and the unspoken rule is not to talk about the no hitter until late in the 7th. Marquis, great job and loved the humble praise for the other team's pitcher. Unlike Pujols...you have class bro!

I didn't see it, but it looks like Marquis absolutely dominated. Good thing too, since we seem to have forgotton how to drive people in.

Wow, that was huge! NICE work Marquis.

Murton looked good tonight. Jones needs to go.

Lee's bad throw in the 15th led to the losing run. But Lee is my favorite player, so I hate bringing it up again.

I would much rather never bet against the Cubs. It would take the enjoyment out of it for me. This is not about the money to me.

Anthony, we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Go Cubs!!!

And way to go Marquis!!!!!!!!!!!

Cubs win

Cubs win

Cubs win

I totally agree Neil.

Bay is a Cub killer, come on Jason !!!!!

Granted Jones did not come through but DeRosa was the key to that inning. Swinging at a 3-1 pitch? He has to get the ball out of the infield.

Man, I hope this dosen't mean were going back to not hitting with runners in scoring position again. Loaded with 1 out and we can't even get it out of the infield? Hope Lou sends out Marquis.

Okay Jones coming up with bags loaded... I SWEAR that I want a Grand Slam and would be more than happy to give him all the credit

Chad, you might want to check last night's play by play again. Lee should have had a SF in the 1st but Soriano made a mistake. His biggest, and only real mistake, was not moving Theirot over after a Theriot single and SB. Jones however missed a hit and run, DP with bags loaded and 1 out, etc.

Also, "Jones is a proven run producer ? In his career he has only had more than 80 RBI's in 3 seasons and never more than 85. I would have to disagree.

And lastly, I bet that the Cubs couldn't make it to .500 before the end of April. And I assure that I was rooting FOR the Cubs with all my might, just like when one of my fantasy starters is facing us. If you bet me today that the Cubs would win 110 games, I would take you up on that in a heartbeat. What's more ignorant, making a sound bet or drinking way too much koolaid and being unrealistic?

His performance is all the more important because of how the 'pen was blown out over the last two games. A lot of balls were hit at people, but Marquis has been the biggest surprise of the season. Rothchild deserves some credit too.

Chad, I think Marquis is going to pitch the 9th.

These are very important runs...

Ryan, they were not hit that far....not even the warning track.

Great game Marquis!!!

Geez, how deep were those fly outs? GD shows them at the wall.

Anthony, you blamed the loss last night on Jones. I was just pointing out that Lee cost us the game at least as much. I wasn't comparing their careers.

Jones is a proven run producer over his career. He is adequate on defense. My big fear is trading Jones, then Floyd gets injured. Pie would be the only LH bat in the line-up. And Pie is hitting .224 with a lot of work to do on his plate disipline. We would be a lot worse off in that situation. Even if Floyd doesn't get hurt, I prefer Jones in CF to Pie at this time. That is arguable. But to suggest Jones is a horrible player is not. He may only be average, but you are way off on your judgement.

And don't forget that you are the one that bet against the Cubs on this board. Not me.

ps. how in the world can you even compare Jones to Lee. No offense, but that is the dumbest thing I've ever read

Chad,

First of all, let me say that I root for him EVERY TIME he steps out on the field. I don't wish for failure to make my viewpoints valid.

I've watched nearly every game this year. We have played 30.5 games this year and Jones has done well in 2, or 3 at the most. You remember the one HUGE game he had, or the very good catches he had. I recall the 30 or so key at bats he has had where he has not only failed, but looked lost in 90% of them.

But let's not argue. Take the next 10 key at bats and see what he does. You don't even have to count tonight where he has already left 7 men on base by himself.

My kingdom for another run. I hope this doesn't go to the ninth with Dempster trying to save with only a one run lead.

Damnit

They are def. pitching around DeRo to get to Jones...hopefully he can do something, I believe in him, he'll get it done.

Anthony, you are out of control with this Jones thing. He had a terrible game last night, no doubt. But what about D. Lee? He was even worse than Jones last night. And since Jones has moved to CF runners haven't taken extra bases on his arm. Last night the ball took a bad bounce off of the wall and he bobbled it trying to pick it up. An error indeed, but it was due to the bobble, not his throw.

He hit 27 HR's with 81 RBI's and he is a badly needed LH hitter in this lineup. There is no way Pie's defence is enough to make up Jones' offense at this time. Especially when Jones has looked decent in CF.

I know Jones was horrible throwing the ball last year, but the report was an injured shoulder contributed to that a great deal. But this year he has had very few horrible throws. But even at his best he is an average thrower. But he is a heck of a lot better throwing than Pierre was last year.

As far as tonight, they walked DeRosa to face Jones because of the LH pitcher vs. LH hitter matchup.

Ryan, Marquis has pitched VERY good to this point and the defense has done their part.

Another run (or two or three) would be nice....

Ryan,

Marquis is keeping the hitters off balance and just throwing strikes. He hasn't allowed any walks and has 4 K's.

He did well to keep his head grounded after giving up his first hit in the 6th. Very impressive so far.

Still...You dont even mention it at all...Thats why! Grrrr

Matt,

Len didn't specifically mention a certain something. He was indirectly advising the viewers that Marquis is pitching VERY well up to this point.

To be honest, all I care about is the WIN. With us losing last night(thanks in big part to Jones), in a game we should have won, we need to get a win to get back on track. The last thing we need is a losing streak. This team is starting to get some REAL confidence.

Just tuned in via Gameday. Marquis with 61 pitches through 5. Is his stuff that good tonight, or are the Pirates just hacking?

Tell me, Len jus dudnt mention the unmentionable about a certain pitcher wearing 21 in a white uniform..You know, a certain aspect of his perfomance...I hope Len's words dont taboo it...Im a Cubs fan, Im superstitous

Jim, the problem with Jones in CF means he is still on this team. Did you not see him bat yday? When he is off, he looks woeful. He is so good that the walked DeRosa to LOAD THE BASES to pitch to him with a not so surprising outcome... weak little chop to 2B.

Starting Theriot was the first big step for this team. The next would be to get rid of Jones. He is clogging up the OF. Also, while he has played a good CF (I admit it), his arm is still so weak that players take 2B on deep singles and 3B on other plays that they wouldn't against a different CF.

This note from Obvious Man... What Derrek Lee is doing right now is AMAZING!!

Sounds like Marquis is pitching well...he has really been a pleasant surprise, hope he keeps it up. Congrats to Soriano for his first homer of the year at Wrigley...awaiting many more.

Way to go Soriano!!!

Jim, here is what I have on Cherry. 92-93 MPH heavy sinker that tops out at 95 with a slider and a changeup.

also, I love this lineup. No Izzy and Murton actually getting a start. Looks good to me. I am actually Ok with Jones in CF. He has looked alot better there that in right. And if we are going to try and deal him and actually get something in return he has to start everyday.

Could someone tell me what pitches Rocky Cherry throws and how ast his fastball is?

Tonight's lineup with Murton in right and Theriot at short....

Soriano - LF

Theriot - SS

Lee - 1B

Ramirez - 3B

Murton - RF

Barrett - C

DeRosa - 2B

Jones - CF

Marquis - P

Barrett gets the start after 15 innings, Blanco should go in the finale with Zambrano on the hill.