Game Ninety-Six: Cubs (57-38) vs. Astros (44-51)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 188
Location - Minute Maid Park, Houston
Ted Lilly (9-6, 4.68/1.34) vs. Brian Moehler (5-4, 4.28/1.39)
Updated - 5:16pm C.T. - Micah Hoffpauir Recalled - Jon Lieber Placed on 15-day DL
Game On! The Chicago Cubs resume play tonight in Houston behind Ted Lilly. Lou Piniella's crew is 3-3 against the Astros this season after winning 2 of 3 in Chicago in the first week of the season and losing 2 of 3 in Houston May 19-21. The Cubs enter play tonight 6 games under .500 on the road at 20-26 in need of a stretch of wins away from the Friendly Confines. The Cubs play 10 of the next 14 games on the road and Lou Piniella has preached for the past several days the importance of a fast start following the break.
Ted Lilly, Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster are scheduled to start the three games in Houston and the Cubs offense will have their hands full against three Astros' pitchers they have not fared too well against in the past.
According to a report by Paul Sullivan, the Cubs have recalled Micah Hoffpauir from Triple A Iowa and Sullivan speculated either Kevin Hart or Neal Cotts will be sent down to make room on the active roster....the Cubs have not made an official announcement. Sullivan also stated Scott Eyre is ready to return from the DL after completing his rehab start.
Rich Hill was scheduled to pitch for Class A Daytona on Thursday but the game was postponed due to rain. Hill will start tonight's game against the Fort Myers Miracle.
A report from Bruce Miles mentioned the recent rumors surrounding Khalil Greene. Miles stated his sources "emphatically" told him the Cubs are not interested in the Padres' shortstop. Miles did state the Cubs could be one of several teams interested in Brian Fuentes of the Rockies.
On a sad note, Dustin Eglseder passed away on Wednesday night from bone cancer. Eglseder won the first Take Me Out to the Ballgame contest last season and kicked off the Cubs Convention this past winter with his rendition. Everyone at the CCO sends out our thoughts and prayers to Dustin's family and friends.
To borrow from Pat Hughes....Chicago Cubs Baseball is on the Air!
Ted Lilly finished his first half like it started, with a bad loss. Lilly lasted just 2 2/3 innings against the Reds. He gave up 4 runs on 6 hits with 2 walks, 3 strikeouts and 2 more home runs surrendered. Lilly has served up 21 long balls in 20 starts this year. Lilly promised to be better in his next start. Lilly had won his last 4 decisions and his team was 5-1 in his 6 starts before the outing against the Reds.
Lilly beat Brian Moehler on May 19th in Houston, the only win for the Cubs in the 3-game series. Lilly held the Astros dangerous offense to 2 runs on 4 hits in 5 1/3 innings with 2 walks, 6 strikeouts and no home runs. Geovany Soto hit his inside the park home run that night.
Lilly is 2-1 in 4 career starts against the Astros with a 3.55 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP.
- Brad Ausmus - 1-for-5
- Lance Berkman - 1-for-11
- Michael Bourn - 1-for-3
- Darin Erstad - 2-for-21 with a double
- Carlos Lee - 4-for-21 with 2 doubles
- Mark Loretta - 5-for-17 with 2 doubles and 2 home runs
- Kaz Matsui - 0-for-2
- Hunter Pence - 0-for-6
- Miguel Tejada - 4-for-27 with 2 doubles
- Ty Wigginton - 2-for-6 with a double
The Cubs will get their second look of the season at Brian Moehler tonight. The soft-tossing-righty held the Cubs offense to 3 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings in Houston on May 19th and the Moehler appeared to have their number early on.
Moehler won his last start against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on July 9th and gave up 4 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings. The Astros are 3-1 in Moehler's last 4 starts and the veteran right hander is 3-2 in 6 starts, 9 games, at Minute Maid this season with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.
Against the Cubs, Moehler is 1-1 in 7 career games, 4 starts, with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.
- Henry Blanco - 1-for-4 with a double
- Ronny Cedeno - 1-for-4
- Mark DeRosa - 1-for-4
- Jim Edmonds - 12-for-34 with 4 doubles and 5 home runs
- Kosuke Fukudome - 1-for-2 with a walk
- Derrek Lee - 1-for-5 with a home run
- Aramis Ramirez - 5-for-14 with a double and a triple
- Geovany Soto - 1-for-3 with an inside the park home run
- Ryan Theriot - 0-for-4
- Daryle Ward - 6-for-14 with 3 doubles
It is very important for the Cubs to start the second half with a winning road trip, a 4-2 record over the next 6 games is a must.
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Update - According to a report on Cubs.com, Micah Hoffpauir was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and will be available for tonight's game against the Astros. The Cubs placed Jon Lieber on the 15-day DL retroactive to July 11th with a right foot strain.
Either this explains why we've seen neither hide or hair of Jon Lieber or he's actually come down with the dreaded ineffectivitis.
Oh well, rather a hide or hair unseen than a rat in a trap if youre Kevin Hart. This gives him time to prove himself.
I feel Agustin's inpatience. I'm ready too!
Go Cubs.
I take Hoffpauir over Lieber any day of the week! No ofense to John. Matt...I hear you...Game On! And I feel K.Hart will do good the next few days; that is if he is not sent down when Eyre returns. Oh well...PLAY BALL and lets show this division who we are with a wining streak out of the gates!
While we wait...
Has anyone seen The Dark Knight?
Was incredible!
Tonight's lineup:
Theriot - SS
Fukudome - RF
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Soto - C
Edmonds - CF
DeRosa - LF
Fontenot - 2B
Lilly - P
Wood is unavailable tonight. Still dealing with blister....Marmol will close according to a report from the Sun-Times
A week long blister?
Even without touching a ball?
Honestly? Show me.
This guy is a trash pitcher.
Make him throw more than 5 pitches next inning, okay?
Matt, I am with you. 4 pitches in the 1st inning and only 16 in the 2nd, that is not going to cut it.
The offense looks out of sync....Moehler has thrown only 45 pitches after 4 innings.
They have to make this guy work and get into the pen....just not Valverde.
Hollywood!
And the Pocket Rocket came close!
The newly wed with the home run....EDMONDS!
I agree with Bob, they just worked around Theriot to get to Kosuke....
I think they just received a gift....Pence was safe, but I think he was out at 1st base to begin with.
Lilly faced the minimum....good job.
HEELLLOOOO....just wanted to see if I could hear the echo.
LET'S GO OFFENSE, LET'S GO!!!!
I'm still here Neil.
Just intensely into the one run game. Tense as hell. Where is everyone?
Carlos Lee just tied it...#22 allowed by Lilly in 21 games
Good job by Lilly getting out of the jam...
Whats the HRA record Neil?
Is Lilly on pace to break>
Wow, you would think a team with World Series aspirations would come out of the break and be somewhat interested in wining a game that was being given to them by a team going nowhere.
Good job by Neal Cotts....
What a waste...
Go Padres! Not a good way to start the 2nd half.
Nota good start of 2nd half of season but we will get them tomorrow night. Go Cubs
Fukudome's lack of productivity is really starting to concern me. He had 2 hot months, but has gone ice cold since. Lou cannot continue to bat him in the 2 spot.
Bring back Hoff and bat him second.
Or just bat Fukudome 5th where he was most productive.
Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Ramirez
Fukudome
Soto
Edmonds/Johnson
DeRosa
P
That was our hot lineup in the first half. Lets bring it back!