Game Five - Cubs 9 Astros 7
WP - Kevin Hart (1-0) LP - Roy Oswalt (0-2) Save - Kerry Wood (2)
Lou Piniella's offense had a big day against one of the best pitchers in the National League. Everyone got into the act, and even the outs late in the game were productive. The Cubs scored 5 runs in a 28-minute 7th inning sparked by a 2-out, game tying single by Derrek Lee and a 2-out, 2 run double by Kosuke Fukudome. Lee finished the day 4-for-4 with a double and his second home run of the year. Fukudome added another impressive day in the field and at the plate. He was 2-for-4 with a run scored, 2 RBI's and a perfectly placed bunt single in the 6th that led to a run. The Cubs offense scored a season high 9 runs on 14 hits with 4 doubles, a triple and a home run.
Jason Marquis was effective but struggled with his command. He pitched his way in and out of trouble in his 5 1/3 innings of work. Marquis surrendered 5 runs, 4 earned, on 8 hits with 2 strikeouts and a walk. Kevin Hart picked up the first win of his big league career. Bobby Howry was roughed up again and gave up a pair in the 8th before Carlos Marmol came in and shut the door on an Astros' rally. Kerry Wood retired all 3 batters he faced in the 9th for the save.
After missing several opportunities early in the game, the Cubs offense appeared to get more and more comfortable as the game went on. The Cubs hit the ball extremely hard against Roy Oswalt early but left runners on base in the first 5 innings.
Geovany Soto tripled with 1-out in the 2nd inning and scored on a 2-out double to right by Jason Marquis. Derrek Lee hit his second long ball of the year in the 3rd for the Cubs' second run of the game. The Cubs put runners on in the 4th and 5th innings but a double play and a bad baserunning decision by Jason Marquis kept the Cubs from cutting into the Astros lead.
The Cubs were down 5-2 in the 6th inning but were able to cut into the Astros' lead with a manufactured run.
Derrek Lee led off the inning with double to the right field corner. Aramis Ramirez popped out to center but Kosuke Fukudome came through with a beautiful bunt single to 3rd base. The Astros' defense was not expecting it and was so confused they could not make a play. Lee advanced to 3rd and scored on a passed ball by Brad Ausmus. Without Fukudome's fundamental play, the Cubs would not have scored the gift run.
The Cubs offense granted Ron Santo's request in the bottom of the 7th. Ryan Theriot led off with a walk and advanced to 2nd on a pitch-hit infield single to the hole at short by Mike Fontenot. Alfonso Soriano grounded out to 3rd but it was a productive out, both runners advanced. Reed Johnson stepped in and drove in his first run as a Cub with a ground out to short....Fontenot advanced to 3rd on the play.
Derrek Lee then delivered a single to left that scored Fontenot with the tying run. Roy Oswalt departed and then the game got very exciting.
Oscar Villarreal walked Aramis Ramirez and Cecil Cooper went back to his pen for rookie southpaw Wesley Wright. With the go ahead run in scoring position, Kosuke Fukudome put together a tremendous at bat. He took two very close pitches from Wright to work the count to 3-1. The crowd started chanting FU-KU-DOME and after a couple of foul balls he came through with a double to left....Lee and Ramirez both scored after Carlos Lee misplayed the ball. Dome-AY ended up at 2nd and after a balk scored on a double by Mark DeRosa.
The Cubs batted around in the 7th with an impressive 5-spot on the scoreboard without the benefit of a home run.
The Astros cut the lead to 8-7 in the 8th but Ronny Cedeno reached on a 1-out bloop single to right center. Soriano grounded out to 3rd on the first pitch of the at bat. Cedeno advanced to 2nd and scored on a single to left by Reed Johnson....the ninth and final run of the day.
Jason Marquis had trouble with his command and elevated his pitches all afternoon. The Cubs defense turned three double plays with him on the mound....two of them were started by Marquis. Carlos Lee took advantage of Marquis' command and hit a double and a home run. A great running catch in right center by Kosuke Fukudome in the 6th kept the Astros from adding to their lead.
Kevin Hart took over for Marquis in with 1-out in the 6th and struck out both Ty Wigginton and Mark Loretta to end the inning. Hart gave up a 2-out triple to Michael Bourn in the 7th but retired Hunter Pence on a fly out to right to end the inning.
Bobby Howry replaced Hart in the 8th and struggled once again. Howry allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in 1/3 of an inning. Darin Erstad led off with a single to right and advanced to 3rd on a double by Carlos Lee. Miguel Tejada grounded out to 2nd, Erstad scored and Lee advanced to 3rd on the play. Geoff Blum pinch-hit for Tomas Perez and singled to center to cut the Cubs' lead to 8-7. Piniella made the slow walk and brought in Carlos Marmol.
With the tying run on 1st, Marmol retired Loretta on a fly out to right and Ausmus on a ground out to 3rd. Kerry Wood was perfect in the 9th. He retired the Astros in order on 12 pitches, 8 strikes, for his second save of the year.
Derrek Lee and Kosuke Fukudome led the Cubs to a much-needed come from behind victory....2-3 sounds a lot better than the alternative.
Carlos Zambrano will pitch for the second time on the young season on Sunday. The Cubs will try to even their record against Brandon Backe.
Q: How do you say MVP in Japanese?
A: FUKUDOME
Okay look, great win by a club that was literally just put together AS A CLUB. Yes there were pieces in place but there were far more questions than answers. Having said that......
I am not quite sure about Soriano. Much to my dismay he no longer looks like the $100,000,000+ man. His injuries, SOs and lack of plate discipline is alarming to say the least. I understand its cold, it's only 5 April and it needs to warm up but what about DLee? Fuks and Soto? Soriano received his deal with the expectation of him being our "go to" guy. The franchise tag was stuck on his back. The player every pitcher must think about but guess what happen on the way to the ballfield...... Fukudome arrived and this guy has already earned his meagor 48 Million Dollar deal Hell, it seems like a steal at this point!! What a calming presence he has brought to the North Side already!!!!
GET RID OF Marquis PLLLLEEEEEASE!!!
All you Wood worriers done freak'n out now? I told you all 50 saves this year for Woody barring any injuries....
Great game today; DLee what a shwow (glad to have you back);
I noticed BTW that Mr. C. Patterson already has two jacks.... something to ponder Maybe we should apply some major patience in Pie?? I say let him have until the ASB to prove he belongs.
I am dreaming about a Pie, Ceda, Gally and Cedeno for BR trade!!! I know you all are going to sigh and think "not another BR trade referece," but I will bank my house, wife and career that this trade and that it would GUARANTEE the another Pennant, a STRONG NLCS and perhaps a WS!!!!
GO CUBBIES!!
Okay look, great win by a club that was literally just put together AS A CLUB. Yes there were pieces in place but there were far more questions than answers. Having said that......
I am not quite sure about Soriano. Much to my dismay he no longer looks like the $100,000,000+ man. His injuries, SOs and lack of plate discipline is alarming to say the least. I understand its cold, it's only 5 April and it needs to warm up but what about DLee? Fuks and Soto? Soriano received his deal with the expectation of him being our "go to" guy. The franchise tag was stuck on his back. The player every pitcher must think about but guess what happen on the way to the ballfield...... Fukudome arrived and this guy has already earned his meagor 48 Million Dollar deal Hell, it seems like a steal at this point!! What a calming presence he has brought to the North Side already!!!!
GET RID OF Marquis PLLLLEEEEEASE!!!
All you Wood worriers done freak'n out now? I told you all 50 saves this year for Woody barring any injuries....
Great game today; DLee what a shwow (glad to have you back);
I noticed BTW that Mr. C. Patterson already has two jacks.... something to ponder Maybe we should apply some major patience in Pie?? I say let him have until the ASB to prove he belongs.
I am dreaming about a Pie, Ceda, Gally and Cedeno for BR trade!!! I know you all are going to sigh and think "not another BR trade referece," but I will bank my house, wife and career that this trade and that it would GUARANTEE the another Pennant, a STRONG NLCS and perhaps a WS!!!!
GO CUBBIES!!
Okay look, great win by a club that was literally just put together AS A CLUB. Yes there were pieces in place but there were far more questions than answers. Having said that......
I am not quite sure about Soriano. Much to my dismay he no longer looks like the $100,000,000+ man. His injuries, SOs and lack of plate discipline is alarming to say the least. I understand its cold, it's only 5 April and it needs to warm up but what about DLee? Fuks and Soto? Soriano received his deal with the expectation of him being our "go to" guy. The franchise tag was stuck on his back. The player every pitcher must think about but guess what happen on the way to the ballfield...... Fukudome arrived and this guy has already earned his meagor 48 Million Dollar deal Hell, it seems like a steal at this point!! What a calming presence he has brought to the North Side already!!!!
GET RID OF Marquis PLLLLEEEEEASE!!!
All you Wood worriers done freak'n out now? I told you all 50 saves this year for Woody barring any injuries....
Great game today; DLee what a shwow (glad to have you back);
I noticed BTW that Mr. C. Patterson already has two jacks.... something to ponder Maybe we should apply some major patience in Pie?? I say let him have until the ASB to prove he belongs.
I am dreaming about a Pie, Ceda, Gally and Cedeno for BR trade!!! I know you all are going to sigh and think "not another BR trade referece," but I will bank my house, wife and career that this trade and that it would GUARANTEE the another Pennant, a STRONG NLCS and perhaps a WS!!!!
GO CUBBIES!!
Sorry Gents.... connection problems...
Great Comeback win today. What impresses me most about Fukudome is his patient approach to hitting. Before he hit the huge double to the opposite field... He reached a 3-2 count, then fouled like 2-3 pitches off -- and finally got that hit....
Hacking at the first pitch is good if you're D. Lee -- He should be the only guy on the team that has the green light like that.....
Here in Boston, I have to, tragically, watch the smug-as-hell Red Sox go on their merry way. All their hitters are so patient....
I believe that a more patient approach would help a few Cubs in particular : 1) Ryan Theriot -- He has no power and cannot impact a game with 1 swing.. so why not make-sure that every at-bat is at least 6-8 pitches..... 2) Felix Pie --- Its better to strike out on the 8th pitch than the 4th... 3) Soriano -- though he probably has his best success hitting the first pitch fast ball... After that first pitch, he would be well served to make the pitcher work a little
Barry trade Pie or have patience with him? Which one?
DeRosa is one of the guys leading the offense right now. Just like the beginning of last year. I would much rather trade for a #2 or #3 pitcher than Brian Roberts. We will go much farther with a another SP then BR.
Forget the trades. Let's see what we have by mid-May. I think Sori gets a day off tomorrow and we see Johnson/Cedeno in right and Pie in center.
I think a few adjustments to the lineup and bullpen are all that is needed.
Like everybody, I want Fuke to bat 2nd. His OBP and patience really make that the ideal spot for him, especially with the free swinging Sori leading off. Counter argument is that Rammy will start seeing decent pitches since opp. pitchers don't want to see Fuke. A dilemma but I'd rather have men on base for Lee/Rammy than them hitting solo HR. Put the Riot 8 and Pie 7th. Move Soto/DeRosa behind Rammy.
As for the pen, we need to use Marmol more. Not sure why he wasn't in the 8th today but that needs to be his spot. I'd like to see Piggy or Hart (instead of Howry) be that setup guy to a Marmol/Wood finish. Or why not Wuertz? He just quietly goes about his business getting people out.
I agree with jim I was hoping Toronto slumped so that burnett would become available being his free agent year.It was definetly and exciting win maybe this will kick start them into a win streak.I would like to see THE RIOT be the sparkplug he was a year ago and not become complacent because he has the job.And last but not least Bob "Stinkin" Howry needs to get a grip I don't know if it is his offseason workout regimen(or lack there of) or if he is just degressing but being a contract year kind of expected a lot more out of the shoot than this.Come ON BOB