Game Twenty-Five: Cubs (16-8) vs. Nationals (8-17)
Game Time - 12:35pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 185
Location - Nationals Park, Washington D.C.
Ted Lilly (1-3, 7.30/1.62) vs. John Lannan (1-2, 3.42/1.44)
Lou Piniella's crew will complete their second road trip of the year with the rubber game of the series, and the trip, against the Nationals. The Cubs have won 2 of the first 4 and with a win today they would finish a 13-game stretch with a 10-3 record before their first day off on Monday since April 14th.
The Cubs will face the third left-handed pitcher of the series today and possibly the most talented of the group. John Lannan's record and ERA does not indicate how well he has pitched this year. It will be up to Ted Lilly to keep the Nationals off the scoreboard and give the offense time to score a few runs. The Cubs need their own southpaw to pick up where he left off against the Mets and earn his second victory of the season.
Ted Lilly survived the 4th inning in his last start against the Mets and picked up his first win of the year. Lilly's struggles in his first 4 starts became more than concerning and the Cubs number two pitcher responded with an effective outing. Lilly gave up a run on 4 hits with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts in 6 innings. His strikeout to walk ratio is still nowhere near where it was a year ago. Lilly has walked 11 and struck out 18 in 24 2/3 innings/
The Cubs need the 'Bulldog' to continue winning games....starting today.
Lilly is 3-2 in 6 career starts against one of his former organizations with a 2.06 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP....last year, Lilly won his only start against the Nationals on July 2nd. He allowed 1 run on 3 hits in 7 innings with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks in a 7-2 Cubs' win.
- Aaron Boone - 2-for-2 with a double
- Cristian Guzman - 1-for-18
- Nick Johnson - 3-for-9
- Austin Kearns - 0-for-3
- Felipe Lopez - 2-for-8
- Ryan Zimmerman - 2-for-6
The Nationals young left-hander has been very good so far this season. John Lannan had a bad game against the Braves in his only start at home this year, but remove that one bad outing and he has been spectacular. Lannan gave up 6 runs on 9 hits against the Braves but in his other 3 starts he has allowed a total of 3 runs. Lannan threw 7 shutout innings against the Braves his last time out, allowed only 5 hits and beat John Smoltz on the night he recorded career strikeout number 3,000.
Lannan was 2-2 in 6 starts a year ago for the Nationals with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. Lannan was the Nationals' 20th best prospect according to Baseball America before the 2007 season....this year, Lannan moved up to #10.
Today will be the first time the Cubs have faced this very talented southpaw....no one on Lou Piniella's roster has ever faced him.
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Today's lineup:
Johnson - CF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Fukudome - RF
DeRosa - LF
Cedeno - 2B
Blanco - C
Lilly - P
This team could really use a day off... hopefully they can make this a laugher early and Lilly can go 6+ so Louie P can insert the 2nd team. This is just off the top of my head...
-Fuk ran into the wall in foul territory last week and was grabbing his side and stretching out his arm.
-Aram slid into first and had his hand cleated.
-Reed Johnson dived into the wall and had at least 2 HBP's.
-Pie with a HBP on foot this weekend.
-Soto looked to be nursing his left thumb last night while in the dugout.
Let's get this rubber game on get-away day and rest up for the Brewers on tuesday.
Also... I got a prediction:
The white sox will have a reality check in the next 3-4 weeks. This team's pitching has played WAY over their head and they took advantage of an ice-cold Tigers team in April that has created unrealistic expectations. After this reality check you can bet your bottom dollar that Kenny Williams has a fire sale (crede, konerko, thome, dye for sure IMO).
So... if the white sox fans you work with have been annoying you with their Sox-Talk just put up with it for a little while longer... they are going to be talking about the Bears/Bulls in July.
I'm glad Soto got the day off last night watching him k 5 times was brutal. One of my buddies pointed out that like after the 2nd one he'd k'd 5 times in a row from Friday night's game then he did it 3 more times and each time was even more excruciating. He was like Sorano on Major League the way he flailed after those curveballs! I kept hoping someone like Ward would go sacrifice a chicken!
Very good at bat by Theriot. Took borderline pitches for balls.
The homeplate umpire is not giving Lannan the outside strike at all which is where Lannan makes his living. Definately a good thing.
Bob Brenley said in a pre-game interview with Paul Sullivan that Lou's plans for Alfonso include his coming back from the D.L. without a rehab assignment and his hitting in the leadoff position. I'm hoping that Soriano starts off really well when he returns. If he doesn't, controversy will be back in vogue.
Rough inning for Lilly. The throw from DeRosa really shows how important Soriano is to the outfield defense.
was that really skreech from Saved By the Bell?
Lannan has not allowed a hit through 3 innings
Finally...way to go Ronny and Hank
no comment.
And the last shall be first--to get hits after four hitless innings. Cheers for R.C. and Mr. White. Way to hustle Reed--sliding single and R.C. scores. Riot disappoints with d.p. but were on the board.
A 1-0 count with the bases loaded....should not be swinging, period.
RC held at 3rd on RJ's great play... Theriot stranded 3 with his first pitch swinging double play.
my point exactly Neil... he is pressing, no question. he saw a pitch he thought he could handle and ended the inning.
I like heart/hustle but I have no patience for ignorance.
Aha! A run is not if the runner doesn't advance to home plate. The 6th was a weak effort for us too. Lilly may need help soon.
Wuertz warming. WHY Wuertz? Get out of the inning Ted!
Lilly thought that was gone. The only thing missing was him slamming his glove.
I think the observation that they need a day off is spot on. These guys just aren't showing the patience that has been evident this season. There have been plenty of opportunities, just not getting that all important hit with risp. It's hard to watch.
One more point though....as Neil pointed out in his pregame article, NONE of these guys had seen Lannon which sometimes is a big advantage. Maybe we can get into the bullpen.
I can't watch or listen to the game what is going on? Gameday says we're still down 2-0 but JimK says above we scored and I saw on gameday that Johnson singled with Cedeno on 3rd? Is everyone drunk? I'm confused!
Cory, no score. I think Jim was referring to the first hit of the game for the Cubs in the 5th
This one leaves me with an empty feeling. Lilly was good but not much else to talk about.
Really a very boring game. I sure hope the day off gives these guys some energy.
Thanks Neil. This has been one frustrating weekend...I really thought we'd sweep these guys.
I've had more fun plunging the toilet than watching this game.