Game Sixty: Cubs (38-21) vs. Padres (23-37)
Game Time - 9:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location - PETCO Park, San Diego
Ted Lilly (5-4, 5.54/1.40) vs. Greg Maddux (3-4, 3.69/1.26)
The Cubs will look to keep the streak going tonight and reach the .500 mark on the road behind Ted Lilly. Lou Piniella needs the 'Bulldog' to bounce back from his worst start of the season and throw deep in the game.
The Cubs offense will have the tough task of handing Greg Maddux his first home loss of the year and beating him for the second time in a month. Ted Lilly's ability to keep his team in the game will figure heavily in the final outcome.
Tonight is the last game against Padres that counts....the Cubs will face the Padres one more time this season, in the Hall of Fame game on June 16th.
After putting together a successful string of starts, Ted Lilly took several steps back in his last outing. Lilly lasted only 3 innings against the Rockies but received a no decision after the unbelievable comeback the offense mounted against Aaron Cook and Colorado's bullpen. Lilly gave up 2 more dingers and in his last 2 games has served up 5 home runs in just 11 innings. In his shortest start of the year, Lilly gave up 7 runs, 4 earned, on 8 hits with 3 strikeouts and no walks.
Lilly must find his command tonight and keep the ball down against a Padres' offense that is much better at home than on the road. Lilly beat the Friars the last time he faced them at Wrigley on May 14th and struck out a season-high 11 batters with only 1 walk. Lilly surrendered 4 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings.
Lilly has never lost to the Padres in 4 career starts, 5 games. He is 4-0 with a complete game shutout, a 2.93 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP.
- Josh Bard - 2-for-9 with a double
- Michael Barrett - 1-for-3 with a double
- Tony Clark - 5-for-21 with a double and a home run
- Jody Gerut - 3-for-8 with a double
- Brian Giles - 0-for-6
- Adrian Gonzalez - 1-for-5 with a triple
- Khalil Greene - 1-for-7
- Scott Hairston - 3-for-7 with a home run
- Tadahito Iguchi - 4-for-12 with 2 home runs
One of the most popular Cubs of all-time could be facing his former organization for the last time tonight. Greg Maddux is the best pitcher of his generation and has hinted at retirement at the end of the season. Maddux figures to finish this year with another team and rumors have suggested Maddux could make his third stint with the Cubs before it is all said and done. But for tonight, Lou Piniella's crew has the tall task of beating Maddux for the second time this season.
Maddux has not posted a win since May 10th but his team has won his last 3 starts. The Old Professor has given up just 5 earned runs on 16 hits in his last 16 1/3 innings.
The Cubs beat Maddux for only the fourth time in 23 career starts on May 15th at Wrigley. Maddog allowed 4 runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Maddux is 12-4 in 23 career starts against the Cubs with a 2.71 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP.
This season Maddux has been spectacular at PETCO Park....1-0 in 5 starts with a 1.84 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP.
- Henry Blanco - 6-for-16 with a double and a home run
- Ronny Cedeno - 2-for-4
- Mark DeRosa - 0-for-3
- Jim Edmonds - 11-for-40 with 3 doubles and 2 home runs
- Kosuke Fukudome - 1-for-2
- Derrek Lee - 14-for-57 with 2 doubles, a triple, a home run and 3 walks
- Aramis Ramirez - 6-for-18 with a double and a triple
- Ryne Sandberg - 7-for-22
- Alfonso Soriano - 3-for-9
- Ryan Theriot - 2-for-7
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
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I loved how you snug Sandbergs stats in there!
Lets Go Cubs!!! Make it 10 in a row.....get the road record to .500!! 3 sweeps in a row....
Cmon Ted.....you can score big points tonight........
Definitely looking for big nights from Lee, Ramirez, and Edmonds (assuming he plays). Hopefully we can tag Mad Dog early and let Lilly pitch with a lead.
A theriot, Sandberg middle of the infield.
Cant wait, haha!
I smell ten in a row.
Tonight's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Fukudome - RF
Edmonds - CF
Soto - C
DeRosa - 2B
Lilly - P
I have always admired Greg Maddux, but I don't expect him to win tonight (unless Lilly and the pen give up 4 or 5 runs in the early innings).
The upcoming Dodger series could show up our vulnerabilities in a short series against good pitching. I don't have good vibes about that series from both hitting and pitching perspectives.
I'm looking forward to one guy today...and that is Jim Edmonds. If he has turned it around he could make this a scary, scary and I mean [Yankee like] scary offense.
Here is to JH catching lighting in a bottle. Cheers! Give me a 10 Cubbies!!!
That was a quick 1-2-3....7 pitches.
Man that ball got out quick....6th home run given up in last 3 starts. Gonzalez with a ground rule double....c'mon Ted!!!
UGHHH here we go again.......
Well, at least it's coold her tonight and the ball actually should travel (like we just saw) well...
Neil....nice buddy with the Sandberg stats...LOL
hey guys, don't know if you've been reading around or not, but I've been seeing rumors of a Greinke exodus from the Royals. Believe it or not, they do have some decent arms to compensate for the loss.
It has been rumored that they'd require a cheap, young, very good MLB-ready hitter. I'm thinking this....
THe Royals lack disciplined, high OBP players. Why not Murton as the base of this package:
Murton, Colvin, and Marshall/Hill for Greinke. All are cheap, young, and up-and-coming players.
If that doesn't work, then throw in another prospect. The thought being that we DEFINITELY need an effective starter right now that can really pitch, and I think Greinke is about as great of a young and up-and-coming pitcher that you'll find. I would take him over CC Sabathia anyday, unless you can swing an extension with CC before the trade.
I would NOT entertain trading Gallagher though. If Samardzija, Veal, and Ceda were having outstanding seasons, then I'd do it, but it's too risky, especially with uncertainty surrounding Lilly and Marquis right now.
I think this is a deal that HAS to be done right now, because you don't won't the pen running out of gas so soon. I mean, Marmol and Wood are leading the league in appearances I believe right now, with Howry close behind. It's just a recipe for disaster if we don't find a great...not good...GREAT young starter
and as I'm writing this, Lilly just proved my point, giving up a jack to the other Hairston (who also probably took HGH or whatever)
I doubt I'd take a flyer on Maddux, though he wouldn't cost much. If Gallagher struggles later on, maybe you consider it, but I'd much rather have Gallagher.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good God this isn't the " Murder's Row" ! Let's go Lilly!
Let's hope that Mr. Ted "Marquis Lieber Hill" Lilly can get his stuff together and get back to good.
Nice comeback by Lilly.
Aaron as much as I would love to get Greinke dude it's gonna take alot more than Murton, Colvin, and Hill or Marshall. They already are loaded with stiffs with no power and Greinke is not only their best pitcher but most popular player outside of Gordon.
Aaron, sorry but I agree with Cory. Also, Paul Sullivan was on XM today and mentioned the name Kenny Rogers....thoughts?
Good evening Fella's,
How bout we make it ten tonight.
I would like to see Greinke in blue pinstripes. I don't know about Kenny Rogers.
Neil,
Usually those washed-up looking veteran type of pitchers tend to do well going from the AL to the NL.
While I agree with both your assessments on Greinke, you have to keep in mind that it's out there, rumor-wise that they might entertain offers for him, and that's why I brought it up...
I agree it looks low, but if you think about it, Murton would do well for them in the OF or DH, Colvin could be groomed longer as a plus-OF type of guy, and Hill/Marshall are already major league type guys. Honestly, I think you're undervaluing their return in that trade a little bit. However, to sweeten the pot even more, I'd offer Pie or Cedeno.
Kenny Rogers screams Steve Trachsel to me.
Here is a stat for all of you....
That was the Cubs first 1-2-3 inning of the entire series. Good job by Lilly.
They actually have a Murton...he just goes by the handle Teahen.
What would you guys do if Maddux was up 1-0 in the ninth with a no-hitter going? Would you root for him and not tell anyone?
Aaron, all good points and I would welcome the addition. The Cubs need a number 2.
While on the subject, what do you think it would take to get Bedard from the Mariners?
Absolutely not Cory.
Not against the comeback cubs.
Cory...no!
Theres no better confidence builders than Maddux tossing to Barrett if youre Soriano.
No way Cory
No Cory, if it was a blow out, maybe.
They say Soriano stole the base off Maddux, but still I think the Cubs would lead the league in SBs if they played against Barrett every game.
It used to drive me crazy when the Cubs wouldn't get the runner in from third with less than 2 outs. This year has been pleasantly different.
HaHa! I thought that would be the reaction i'd get!
I agree Roland Barret is not exactly a defensive plus is he. I don't recall him ever catching Maddux with the Cubs.
Does anyone know how Hill did tonight?
Nick, Iowa was off tonight. Hill is scheduled to start on Thursday against the Royals.
lol...good discussion.....Neil, I doubt they'd trade Bedard....but if you could get them to do it, it'd probably take a similar package they gave the Orioles...
It'd probably take Pie, Ceda, and Hill to get that done...
Actually, for an oft-injured pitcher, I think that's too much, and would rather give that up for Greinke, or even Sabathia...imagine Sabathia in the NL...btw---he's said to have a Zambrano-esque bat on him as well...I think he'd do very well switching leagues
Is it just me or does it seem that Ted isnt getting cheated at the plate this season.
Good start to the inning and Lilly appears to have settled. Is he trying to steal second?
Thanks Neil
That's funny Lilly would've stolen that if Sori hadn't fouled it off.
Ryan's gotta cut that out..
Wow Theriot just did a great Dunston imitation!
Man why didn't Aramis turn the double play? NICE CATCH EDMONDS!!!!
Way to get out of that Lilly!! Good catch Edmonds!
Could Ramirez gotten the double play earlier?
Cory--I was just thinkin Dunston too!! Great Job defense picking up The Riot!
Lets Get Some Runs.........
The Pads intended to pull Maddux if they could get 7 innings....but he's only thrown 70 pitches!! I hope they still pull him. C'mon Lilly...give us one more good one....
Maddog is really making us look bad. DeLee, Aramis, and Fukudome look lost or tired or something.
Another Freakin Balk!!?? Gettem Lou!
For the Cubs, three hits, 4 strikeouts and 12 ground outs in 7 innings. You would think we were facing a hall of famer. I am amazed that Greg has given up 1 run in 7 innings, and I tip my hat. Let's get a couple of runs for Lilly off somebody tonight!
Nice job Lilly.
Now come on Offense let's get Lilly the win.
Lilly!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice job!!!!
Good job by Lilly to get out of that mess.
Let's Go Offense, Let's Go!!
Anyone hear what Lilly's pitch count is?
Why would they pull Maddux just to bunt with Iguchi? Thanks Padres!
Great pitching by Lilly! We needed that....and so did he.
Cory...I was wondering the same. But like Len and Bob pointed out, the back end of the Padres pen has not been used in the series....and they are good.
Nick...108 for Lilly.
Usually the Pads give Bell an inning and then Trevor an inning...if we get past them....they have nobody....
One thing is for sure...the Padres have played this series a lot better than what their record indicates.
Comon' Lilly. Damn Giles
I hate to burn his arm...but this is a Marmol spot.
Go get the K.
thanks again Neil. Lilly gave exactly what we needed tonight, now lets get the win.
I really dislike Giles. That was pretty funny looking at Spicoli's reaction when he struckout to end the inning and the Cubs still threw the ball around the horn...dude...what's up...
Come on let's get Hoffman!
that sucks
ouch. That was a very well pitched game.
Can't win them all...but that is a tough loss
for Lilly. Bounce back tommorow.
Let's start another 9 game winning streak tomorrow.
exactly Agustin...while I hate saying it because it's so cliche...you really can't win them all, and you have to tip your cap to Maddux.....We just can't figure out junk ballers that nibble---Moyer, Maddux, Hoffman, etc. All their offspeed stuff throws us off. We hit quite a few balls hard today...keep that in mind. DeRosa, Soto, and Edmonds all stung balls that would've fallen for hits at Wrigley most likely.
Lou gave Ted the chance to go one more inning, and it wasn't meant to be. No one expected Lilly and Maddox to be 1-1 after 7--which is one more reason why baseball is an amazing game. Two grizzled old guys who are no longer buying green bananas, Maddox and Hoffman, got another sip from the fountain of youth tonight. I'm guessing that Neil makes references to soft tossers before much more time passes.
We're fine.
The major plus is that Lilly ate innings tonight (finally from a starter!).
Sometimes a loss is a minor wake-up call and guys get more riled up. The Dodgers are toast.
Jim K...not tonight, just vintage Maddux.
Show said it best: Lilly went deep, and that is huge. He pitched well, we just couldnt hit today...so it goes. Now lets get on another roll with them Dodgers