Game Twenty-Seven: Cubs (16-10) vs. Brewers (15-11)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: ESPN Wednesday Night Baseball, WCIU - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 189
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Ryan Dempster (3-0, 2.90/1.03) vs. Jeff Suppan (1-0, 3.48/1.26)
All in all it could be said the Cubs have had a good first month of the season. A 16-10 record and just a win shy of setting a new all-time mark is very good....but losing 4 of the last 6 cannot be sitting to well with their skipper. The Cubs will try to avoid their first 3-game losing streak of the year tonight behind Ryan Dempster. The offense must continue to be patient against Jeff Suppan, get into the Brewers bullpen and return the favor from last night.
The Cubs lost the first game Ryan Dempster started this season (4-1) last Friday in D.C. After a shaky start, Dempster settled down and allowed on 3 runs, 2 earned, on 4 hits in 7 innings with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts. Bobby Howry surrendered the long ball in the bottom of the 9th that was the difference in the game. After three tremendous starts to begin the season, Dempster has struggled with his command in his last two outings. While the results have been very positive, Dempster faces a big challenge tonight with the Brewers dangerous offense.
Dempster earned his first win of the season against the Brewers in the third game of the year (April 3rd). The Cubs salvaged the last game of the opening series and Dempster allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, on 3 hits in 6 innings in a 6-3 Cubs win. Unfortunately, Dempster will not be facing Dave Bush again.
Dempster is 5-2 in 31 career games, 9 starts, with 10 saves, a 2.40 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP against the Brewers.
- Ryan Braun - 0-for-5
- Mike Cameron - 3-for-8
- Prince Fielder - 0-for-6
- Bill Hall - 3-for-12
- J.J. Hardy - 0-for-8
- Corey Hart - 0-for-4
- Jason Kendall - 13-for-28 with 2 doubles and 4 walks
- Rickie Weeks - 1-for-7 with 2 walks
Jeff Suppan once again beat the Cubs in the second game of the season.... and the Cubs will look to even their season record against the veteran right-hander tonight. The Cubs have traditionally struggled against Suppan and it was more of the same back on April 2nd (2 runs on 6 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings). While the Brewers are 4-1 in games Suppan has started, his only win this year came against the Cubs.
Suppan is having another solid start to the season and is coming off an impressive outing against the Phillies. Suppan allowed only 1 run on 5 hits in 7 innings....and remove his horrible start against the Mets on April 13th and Suppan has allowed only 6 earned runs on 20 hits in 27 innings....a 2.00 ERA.
Suppan is 6-5 in 17 career starts against the Cubs with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.
- Ronny Cedeno - 4-for-9 with a double, a triple and 2 walks
- Mark DeRosa - 2-for-9 with a double
- Kosuke Fukudome - 0-for-2 with a walk
- Reed Johnson - 0-for-2
- Derrek Lee - 18-for-39 with 6 doubles, 4 home runs and 9 walks
- Felix Pie - 3-for-9 with a double and a home run
- Aramis Ramirez - 9-for-34 with 3 doubles, a home run and 4 walks
- Geovany Soto - 1-for-3 with a home run
- Ryan Theriot - 3-for-11 with a double
The Cubs offense must remain patient against Suppan and not swing at his pitch.
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
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Tonight's linup:
Johnson - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Fukudome - RF
DeRosa - 2B
Soto - C
Pie - CF
Dempster - P
I'm predicting that our outfield defense will be above average tonight. If they all get a hit and a walk, we should get the 4 or 5 runs we may need to win.
Why is ESPN, as well as XM Radio, trying to make everyone feel sorry for Mike Cameron? He had a rough time because he broke the rules not once, but twice. Rules are there for a reason.
The game is on ESPN tonight yet it is blacked out on DirecTv, at least where I live. Anyone else not able to get the game?
I don't know how we take Reed Johnson out of the leadoff spot.
Nice start, and good patience/pitch selection so far. Work up that pitch count on Suppan early.
Woo hoo....great start!
Geo!!
Man, does Soto attack or what? Wow! That got out really quick!!!
Soto! Soto! Soto!
Tom, I can't get the game either and it's TOTALLY PISSING ME OFF. I mean, I live 120 miles away from Wrigley!!!!!
ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!
At least they're kicking the crap out of the Brew Crew.
What a great start. Wish I could have seen it. Soto is starting to break out of his funk.
This is fun. We may be a warm weather team.
Scott,
I live about the same distance, in Eastern Iowa. Not sure why they blacked it out but it is. It really sucks.
Why is Dempster swinging at ball one????
...just kidding!
What you gotta love about Soto is that he looks terrible in DC...Doesn't sulk, and comes back with a vengeance. I think he already has more RBI's than our catchers last year.
I've talked about a deep pocket new owner who will pay to win. He's in a prime seat at Wrigley tonight, and his name is Mark Cuban. Let's hope he likes what he sees and hears--and that he is not to bold for Bud and the owners.
Now that inning rocked!!!!!
I have Dish Network here in Des Moines and ESPN blacked me out but I get the game on one of their alternative sports channels...of course I gotta deal with the Milwaukee announcers which have become really arrogant lately....ha enjoy that bottom of the 1st!
Neil I agree on Cameron what a joke! Man i'm sick of him kill'n us too. Add him to the list of Dunn, Ausmus, any ex-Cub, etc...
Way to muscle up Fielder...biggest veegan I know...he does know french fries aren't veggies right?
I just hope Dempster continues to go after these hitters, not sit on this lead, so far, he looks real good from what I hear
I was just thinking...it always seems like when we have a huge first or second inning like tonight we dont score the rest of the night almost like we just figure the game is over...does it seem like this to anyone else? Idk i just think that when we score 10 runs we have a couple 2 or 3 run innings...anyway my point is that i like to think 6 runs will win this game but last night is proof that u should never take runs for granted
This ump is an ass clown!!!!! That was ball 4 to Pie in the 1st and that pitch to Cameron was a total strike! Even the Brewer's announcers said so. Jack hole!
Cory, bad calls last night. Dempster cannot let that bother him....
The wierdest double I have ever seen by Fukudome
Tack on runs are good!!
Sorry but........suppan Just Got FUK'D!
I'm guessing you see Dome's picture in the dictionary as the definition of hustle. He cue-balls it off Suppan to Fielder (who is handcuffed), and Dome is full speed all the way to second. Then he scores from second on a short single to right. He is amazing!!
The Brewer's announcers said Pie was like Patterson no stick, good range in the outfield, but no arm.....WHAT?!!
wow - I just tuned in..
looks like i missed some great Cubbie offense!
though, i'm just in time for some more runs!
nice single by DeRo!
Nice to see the bats beat up on an aging pitcher like that.....
Hope they save a few for tomorrow's game
GEOVANNNY!
WOW!!!!!! GEOVANY SOTO!!!!! Two 3-run home runs.
Wow!
Geo is having a career day! 6RBIs so far!
By the way - how has Pie looked in his previous 2 ABs?
GEO GEO GEO GEO!!!!!
Take that Brew Crew!!!!!!I got your 8 k's in a row hang'n down low!
Soto has a .330 average and a 1.000+ OPS...
i dunno who had a problem with him before.... wut u thought Paul Bako was better?
Geo is the man. Right behind Fuku, and Reed, and.......
Man, this is fun!
Agustin...I don't know how you say "Save some runs for me tomorrow" in Spanish, but that's what Z is saying. Any chance that Soto would be elected head of Puerto Rico if he ran?
Whoever the fan is with the 'W' flag needs to put it away.
Dempster showed A LOT of respect for Kendall in that situation!
Gucci, Pie has looked the same at the plate.
Dempster is trying to get on my nerves
I just got back from Pepe's, there is nothing better than downing a few frozen margaritas and watching the Cubs smoke Milwaukee.
What is wrong with Howry?
I know this is a blowout...but Howry has to get on track. A double and a home run is not good. I still think changes are a coming to the bullpen.
After 13 innings of work, opponents are hitting ~.400 off Bob Howry
I was really looking forward to watching this game after yesterday. Pat said of Fuk's double; "You have to see it to believe it." I would really like to know why this game is blacked out in Iowa. But, such is life and it is good as our boys are showing no mercy. At least I have Pat and Ron to drink with. Cheers everyone!
JimK...Soto is making the papers in Puerto Rico to the tune of Fukudome in the U.S. Basically he was an under the radar guy here but with a lot of power. They also burned him hard after those 8k's but I guess this performance erases all of that.
Very Good at bat by Reed even though he struck out. Cedeno too.
I agree Neil. Eyre may not be back, and Howry may not help. Ascaino will get a chance, and a lefty reliever trade seems likely and doable. I do think Wuertz will shake his funk over the next couple of outings.
Interestingly,
Old Cub farm hand Clay Rapada has allowed 2 hits and 0 ER in 7 innings pitched for the Tigers...
And we traded him for ---- dum dum dum -- drum roll!!!! Craig Monroe....
Nobody hates the Brewers more than I but DAMN...that started getting hard to watch Turnbow just melt down collasial style!
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
Great first step, Michael Wuertz. I hope we can get 4 runs for Z tomorrow.
baron: one outing doesnt make a career, i agree, bad trade, but still...he's not THAT good...hopefully
Great game, I just hope Howry gets his head out of his ass sometime soon....SO glad I drafted Soto for my fantasy team he and Lee are carrying me!!! Go Cubbies!
i love being able to talk cub baseball with cub fans. but, there is one thing that irks me. some people either have no patience or they just like to gripe. soto has a bad weekend and some people talk of what a hole we have in the bottom of the lineup. now he is a savior and the greatest thing since jody. i am ashamed of the way cub fans act sometimes. we boo our players too easily. i am betting that when soriano comes back today if he goes 0-8 the next two games he will get the boo birds. that just makes a player press and hit worse. so please show a little patience. and when a rookie strike out 8 times in a row show a little compassion and faith..
Well said Bo!
bo - I completely agree. There is not a player on this team that should be given the Jacque Jones treatment (even Theriot).