Game Fifty-Nine: Cubs (37-21) vs. Padres (23-36)
Game Time - 9:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location - PETCO Park, San Diego
Jason Marquis (2-3, 4.98/1.64) vs. Wilfredo Ledezma (0-2, 4.25/1.53)
Update - According to a report by Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000, Kevin Hart will be recalled before tonight's game against the Padres. Will update when the other roster move is announced.
Updated - 6:47pm C.T. - According to a report on Cubs.com, Kevin Hart was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and to make room on the active roster Micah Hoffpauir was optioned back to Triple-A. Lou Piniella has 13 pitchers on the 25-man roster.
The Cubs will look to keep the streak going tonight and move to within a game of .500 on the road behind Jason Marquis. Lou Piniella needs, at the very least, a quality start out of Marquis in order to give his bullpen a rest. Piniella was reportedly not happy with his staff following Monday's win and brought up the notion again of carrying 13 pitchers on the active roster again. The middle relief must become more consistent....and the first step is to throw strikes.
Kosuke Fukudome will reportedly receive the night off. Expect Mark DeRosa in right, Ronny Cedeno at 2nd and Reed Johnson in center against the southpaw Wil Ledezma.
Jason Marquis is coming off a good start and was in line for the win before Lou Piniella lifted him for Neal Cotts. Cotts surrendered a 2-run single to Willy Taveras, Marquis went down the tunnel but the Cubs won the game 8-4. Marquis gave up 3 runs on 7 hits in 5 1/3 innings last Thursday at Wrigley. Despite a solid line, Marquis had another bad inning and struggled with his command.
Marquis will be looking for his first win since May 18th and his first against a team other than the Pirates. Marquis took the loss against Shawn Estes and the Padres back on May 13th at Wrigley. He gave up 4 runs on 9 hits in 5 2/3 innings with a walk and 3 strikeouts.
Marquis is 3-3 in 7 career starts, 8 games, against the Friars with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Marquis has pitched a little better on the road this season than he has at Wrigley....0-1 in 4 starts with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.81 WHIP with a .299 opponents batting average.
Marquis pitched extremely well in his previous 2 starts at PETCO....0-1 with a complete game, a 1.76 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.
- Michael Barrett - 9-for-23 with 3 doubles, a triple, a home run and 4 walks
- Jody Gerut - 1-for-3 with a double
- Brian Giles - 3-for-11 with a home run
- Adrian Gonzalez - 2-for-7 with a double and 2 walks
- Khalil Greene - 2-for-9
- Tadahito Iguchi - 5-for-10 with 2 doubles and 3 walks
Wil Ledezma will make his 5th start of the season tonight for Bud Black. Ledezma had a solid outing in his last start against the Nationals on May 29th. He gave up just 1 run on 2 hits in 5 innings with a season high 7 strikeouts and 3 walks.
The Cubs have been successful against Ledezma out of the pen and tonight will be his first career start against the Cubs. In 2 career outings (3 innings) he has allowed 3 runs on 5 hits with a strikeout. Ledezma is 0-2 in his first 3 starts of the year at home with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP but teams are hitting just .216 against him in 6 games.
- Mark DeRosa - 1-for-4 with a walk
- Kosuke Fukudome - 1-for-2
- Reed Johnson - 0-for-2
- Derrek Lee - 0-for-1
- Aramis Ramirez - 1-for-2 with a double
- Alfonso Soriano - 1-for-5 with a walk
- Geovany Soto - 1-for-1 with a home run
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
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Tonight's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Soto - C
Johnson - CF
DeRosa - RF
Cedeno - 2B
Marquis - P
I think I would prefer Cedeno at SS and Theriot at 2B.
Cedeno has a stronger arm.
I really hoped to see the Hoff-power stay for awhile.
I think Neil's story above should have said "as reported by Joe S early this morning" since I called in my post that Kevin Hart would likely be called up before todays game....since I called it way before Bruce Levine of ESPN. lol
With STL playing in Washington, and Houston playing in Pittsburgh, we NEED to win this game. Both STL and HOU will probably win their games...
Let's have a good outing from D-Lee tonight...
Me too Matt...but believe me he will be back!
Bring on #9
Houston won 2-0....and St Louis leads 4-0 and just resumed after a long rain delay.....Milwaukee is winning too.....
C'mon Jason Marquis.....make Cub Fans Proud!!!
I hate the idea of having 13 pitchers.
If Marquis sucks tonight I would release him and insert Lieber in rotation until either Hill/Marshall
are ready.
Jim, I agree. I would much rather have Hoffpauir playing tonight and maybe give DeRosa the night off.
Good thing we still have Cotts! Brutal.
I want to take this moment to congratulate Barack Obama....
He spoke at my commencement address at Knox College in little old Galesburg, Il -- not so long ago....Then, as a 1st year, unknown senator.....
To where he has reached now... If for nothing else, I congratulate him on his personal achievement.... When I saw him speak, I never thought I'd see this happen..
Hey guys, putting an inexperienced outfielder in the huge right field of PETCO would not be a good idea. For the record, I do not like the move to have 13 pitchers on the staff.
Jim, I know you do not like Marquis but with the pending sale of the team, I do not see them releasing Marquis and sticking a new owner with a paycheck for next season....without a player.
I think Marquis is the reason Lou now has 13 pitchers, instead of 12.
Good evening Guys,
Not sure if I like the idea of 13 pitchers. Lets hope Marquis gives a pretty good outing tonight.
Hey guys
I have mlb.tv and was wondering if there is a way i can listen to the game on mlbaudio and watch on mlb.tv...i tried opening another window but it kicked me off mlb.tv
but i like listen to pat and ron when they give the other teams broadcast but obviously want to see the game also
thanks
We can afford to have 13 pitchers because Z and Jayce can swing.
Ryan, if you have AOL you could open the video in Explorer and Pat and Ron on AOL.
Not sure if it would synch up though.
I also disagree with releasing Marquis. I think what a lot of people forget about releasing players is that the team is penalized based on the contract of the player. If they release Marquis, they still have to pay a portion of his salary. If he wasn't making that much money, it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but since he is making a sizeable amount, releasing him doesn't make financial sense... but.. I guess neither did paying $3 mil for Prior last year.
That is one of the reason's Cedeno does not start more games....
Can we please respectfully agree to not discuss politics on this site? No offense to anyone, but everyone has sincere political beliefs (even if that belief is simply nonpolitical) and I would much rather unify with my fellow Cubs fans over this game than spend time going back and forth over politics.
Not trying to pick on you baron, I have no beef with anyone on this, just wondering if we could steer clear of politics on the baseball blog.
Back to the game, GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!!
Tell me Marquis did not just walk the pitcher....
The balk and walk is why Marquis will soon lose starts.
I'd make him an overpaid set-up/mop-up guy. And Ive said it before.
...
Go pull him..
Judas Priest Marqius!!!! That is pathetic baseball on his part, just plain ugly.
WOW!!! Lou is going to explode.... Marquis is taking the air out of this team.
2 runs on 1 hit, 3 walks, a balk and a wild pickoff attempt....
Not pretty at all. Come on Offense!!
Man the cubs really need to get rid of marquis.
SORIANO!!!
Way to get it started.
Remember, we're never out of it!
Lip Read Lou after the wild throw to first...."What the f*ck are you doing"....yeah Marquis time is up. Put him and Weurtz somewhere....maybe the White Sox. Put Lieber in the rotation or being back Hill for anotehr shot. Something to buy us time until we trade in July.
Neil...San Diego is not a huge RF. Defintely has the weird cut to it, but we're not known for a spacious RF. Thats why we have Brian Giles there. he lost his speed long ago.
Joe...thanks for the clarification.
Dammit D Lee!!!
Ill take a run for an out.
One run at a time.
Lets go Geo!
Anywhere else but this god forsaken stadium..
Its stolen two HRs from Geo in as many days.
I know i said this last time but I get excited
when marquis is pitching....because its rally
cap day and I like to screw up my caps.
Unbelievable....
Any way if you think about it BigZ gave up
3 in the first but Marquis ain't got that bat.
Wow lou just ate Marquis
Leadoff walk..
Never good.
Piniella just said... "Bleep, bleep, bleep throw a strike, bleep, bleep, bleep."
Just gave the momentum right back....
Arrrggg!!
Hurry Back Rich Hill
Just a huntch, but I don't think Marquis is going to be sitting by Pinella between innings.
Dear Jason Marquis:
If walking 5 people was what Lou wanted he could have kept me to pitch tonight and had a much better bat in the lineup. You may have been on a playoff team every season you have played, but pal, it sure wasn't because of your contributions. Maybe we'll pass each other at the airport as I get called back, and you get released or traded.
Your Pal,
Micah Haufpauir
Dear God, Reed Johnson has a chin.
How 'gutsy' was that by Johnson? Lou probably would've had a couple of choice words if he would have been caught.
Here is the reason 13 pitchers is a bad idea.
Gotta get the ball in the air RC Cola..
All Right... Back to the game now eh?
Thanks Trevor.... Reading your insightful baseball analysis is always more meanginful than anything else in the world.
Unfortunate bounce..ugh..
Okay Riot. Lets get it done.
Great at bat by Theriot!!
LETS START A RIOT, A RIOT!
GAH! YES!
D-LEE!!!
Gotta hand it to Greene on that play though.
How about those 2-out RBI's?!!
Good job by The Riot and D-Lee
Nice job Lee, now Come on Ramirez!!
Good at bat by Lee, should've had 2 RBI's....Greene with a good stop.
Wow! Ledezma is getting wild.... I was worried about D.Lee for a second --- his propensity to ground to short in these situations is getting worrisome.....
lets grind out another run here.... cmmon!
Cmon Lou.....pleeeeease tell me you just left marquis in to bat....LIFT HIM
For the record, the called strike two on Ramirez was ball 4.....
Jason could do himself a huge service by getting one of Neil's shut down innings.
These San Diego announcers are hilarious. They're almost as good as Santo and Hughes...
Marquis is battling tonight.... not bad!
The TV guys JP?
I agree. Wasnt Matt Matt Vasgerian a candidate to replace Chip?
GEOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANOTHER LEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOTO!!! That a baby!!
what's up with the calls for Lieber in as a starter? anyone actually remember his horrendous start? as much as Marquis scares me anytime he throws the ball towards the plate, at least Marquis gives us a better fighting chance.
ok...break between innings.
watching the Cubs on mlb.tv (like it!) and watching "Modern Problems" on tv.
1981 movie with Chevy Chase would gets telekinetic powers after having radioactive waste spill on him.
Classic B movie of the 80's...
Soto!!!
GEO!!
SOTO!!
GEO!!
SOTO!!
Geo was bound to get one out of here eventually!!! YEAH!!
One start does not a season make Rob.
DERO!!!
Simply clutch!!
Nell Carter, Brian Murray, Dabney Coleman...ahh...the 80's!
DeRosa!
Ok guys...everytime I start writing about this movie, a Cubs player hits a HR.
Bear with me...I may have to keep doing this.
D-RO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sweet....now hold on to your hats....Weurtz is comin in........
DERO!!!!!
Now we're talkin'
Kevin Bacon. Michael J. Fox.
Are those good Jason?
is it just me or many HRs are hit with a guy on third base with less than 2 outs? Maybe because the hitter is trying to lift the ball for a sacrifice fly? Anyway...great job by DeRo
I think Chevy is separated from his wife...he is at the bar with another woman though.
What the hell was that show Nell Carter was on? I can't believe I am drawing a blank here.
Damn...I was hoping Soriano would hit a HR there.
Ok...I will write off this experiment...I think it is safe to say that any correlation between my movie review and a Cubs HR is merely coincidental.
Jason...great movie by the way, saw it in the theatre.
Duas, very good observation!
Soto and DeRosa!!!....don't forget Reed
Gosh, I love this team.
Maybe it's a weal team, but now we're winning on the road.
Jason...it was 'Gimmie A Break'
Big outing for Wuertz
Cubs scored 1 in the 4th, 2 in the 5th, and 3 in the 6th. How about 4 runs in the 7th?
Dabney Coleman plays a great jerk. Both in this movie, and in "9 to 5".
Patti D'Arbanville plays "Darci". She looks pretty hot, but I can't say what else she was in. So I looked her up on imdb.com, and she has stayed very busy, and was even on Soprano's. She was also in "Real Genius" which is another 80's classic with Val Kilmer.
Way to go, Scotty!
3 pitch strikeout by Eyre. Good inning by the relief.
Good inning for Wuertz and Eyre....they finally retired Jody Gerut.
Anyone else think Cedeno is blowing a big oppty tonight? 0-3, and thrown out stealing.
I still think Lou killed his momentum by not getting him at-bats when he was hot, but what do you do with Cedeno now? Theriot isn't perfect, but if he can hit above .285 all year, he isn't a problem.
So how about Cedeno as part of a large package for Rich Harden???
Im not convinced that Rich Harden is healthy.
Lee just saved another throwing error
Soriano!!!!
Another HR with a guy at third with less than 2 outs....
Running all over Barrett.
Drilled!
Who says you can't hit HRs at Petco park?
With the running game...it seems that Lou is showing Barrett why they got rid of him
SO-RI-ANO (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)!!!!
#14 and 39 RBI's
Soto - 39 RBI's
Ramirez - 40 RBI's
Lee - 38 RBI's
Duas....I was thinkin the same thing....it's like rubbing it in Barrett's face! 6 SB's and should be 7 SB's! Although it's well known your mother can run on San Diego's staff and catchers.
Dabney Coleman rocks.
He walks into the vacation home, unannounced, and grabs Nell Carter's ass...he hesitates, and then says "firm...real firm".
He then proceeds to walk into the room that Chevy and his girlfriend already put their luggage in, and tells them that he wants their room and they should get out. What a set of balls on this guy.
Soriano!!!
These announcers rule! They just quoted Hart to Hart like a bunch of stoners!
A lead off walk???? C'mon Buckner.... I mean Hart.... THROW STRIKES!!!
Walked in a run...Lou is going to blow
JP are you talking about the Padres announcers?? Ye sthey are GREAT....they work well together. Funny to listen to. Cubs tried to get both at one point a few years ago. I love watching Padres games just for them.
OK....we may have to use Wood again....DAMN!!!
The Iowa Cubs aernt getting it done..
wow....unbelievable....both Hart, Cotts, and Wuertz are playing their way off the team
How big is Soriano's home run now?
Howry with the big strikeout!
Look at the positives...while we are clicking on offense we are able to get through the struggles of the pitching staff....hopefully they pull through and carry the offense if it slows down.
Gotta get Hill back, and use Lieber more in relief to ease the load on the others.
A 7-3 nail biter last night and now a 9-3 nail biter? Come on bullpen!! I hope Lilly can go 6 tomorrow at least.
That double play wasnt even close..
Dude wasnt close to touching second..
Did you hear the Matt the Padres announcer say: "I have a poster of Rex Grossman in my bedroom." as a joke... pretty amazing for a couple of knucklehead announcers. I know I've been ranting all game, but this is the first time I've heard them and they make it fun. And there are some guys that are just brutal to listen to... of course, WGN's squad is still the best.
Jim H....I think you mean 9-6 nailbiter!
We could ship Wuertz, Cotts, and Hart to St Louis, where they would promptly become Pitcher of the Week, ala Todd Wellemeyer.
I blame Rothschild. Who has ever gotten better under his watch. He gets a pat on the back for Marmol, and a kick in the a$$ for all the rest.
Go throw a towel.
According to the radar gun Woody just topped out at 98.4mph...OO;;;
JP - I agree these San Diego guys are pretty entertaining even though they are pulling for the wrong team.
Also, I did mean 9-3 although yeah, now its 9-6.
Here we go again... sick of Gonzalez.
9 straight wins!!! LEt's hear it Jim
"Go throw a towel"...awesome line Jason B....LOL
Not pretty...but a win is a win. 9 in a row!
9 in a row and counting!
Chyea!
Deep breath... GO CUBS GO!
9 IN A ROW!!!!! Make it 10 tomorrow and bring our road record to .500! C'mon Lilly.....pull a complete game out of that arm! At least 8....save the pen!
If the Cubs win tomorrow, they will be 18 games over .500.
To put that in perpective: if they went .500 the rest of the way, after winning tomorrow, they would finish with 90 wins.
We won the division in 2003 with under 90 wins.
This team is a heckuva lot more explosive than the team that relied on Karros, Gruds, Damien Miller, AGon, and the gang.
Granted, I give the 2003 team an edge with starting pitching (Zambrano was our #4 back then!), but I am hopeful Hendry will trade for Rich Harden, or someone like him.
Hard to imagine this team only going .500 the rest of the way.
Can anyone say 100 wins, to end a 100 year drought?
Hey JimK...Is it fair to say that on the last 10 games we have done better than kissing our sisters?
Jim TP...where are you with the Nation>?
When was the last time we won 9 in a row?
Piniella is talking about how our pitching depth is misleading. I agree, and have thought this way since ST. Having a bunch of #4-5 quality starters doesn't mean you have depth. It means you don't have an ideal rotation for the playoffs after Zambrano.
When we signed Lilly and Marquis, for roughly $10M and $7 million respectively, we soon then signed Zambrano for about $18M annually.
Ask yourself: Would you rather have another Zambrano-like ace on the staff, to go with Gallagher and Marshall (who are cheap), or does having the "depth" of Lilly and Marquis better than having another Ace?
Obviously you would take another Big Z, if you could. This is why I wish the Cubs would have tried harder for Danny Haren or Johan Santana, etc...
I like Lilly, but using this example, wouldn't you feel better with Santana or Haren next to Zambrano, rather than Lilly or Marquis?
So don't let Hendry fool you with his glowing reviews of "depth". Having a bunch of depth is great, as long as you have a solid 1-2 punch for a playoff run.
I think Lilly is a good #3, and Dempster (while pitching out of his mind right now) historically projects as a #3 or 4.
Gallagher is too young to expect him to be an ace. Hill has Ace stuff sometimes, but is too unreliable...he is too risky of a proposition when you want to win a championship. Sean Marshall is a solid #5.
This depth, and the explosive offense we have, will win us a ton of games in the regular season. I just hope we are setup for a good playoff run, too!
Agustin.....answer to your question:
The nine-game winning streak is their longest since they won 12 straight May 19-June 2, 2001.
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!