Game One Hundred Twenty-Seven - Cubs 3 Reds 2
WP - Carlos Zambrano (13-5) LP - Josh Fogg (2-6) Save - Kerry Wood (26)
Carlos Zambrano and his emotions were on full display Thursday afternoon and finally someone was able to get through to him....Big Z. Zambrano struggled with his command in the 1st inning and after escaping the opening frame without allowing a run, Zambrano voiced his displeasure to himself, and while the control of his pitches showed little improvement in 7 innings, at least Zambrano was able to compose himself long enough to pick up his 13th win of the season....and his first victory in the month of August since 2006.
Zambrano allowed only 1 run, Jay Bruce's first home run at Wrigley, on 6 hits with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts but did not record a 1-2-3 inning. The Cubs defense was solid once again, especially Mark DeRosa and Henry Blanco threw out two of the three Reds that attempted to swipe 2nd base....including Corey Patterson for the first out in the 7th with his team down by two and Paul Bako at the plate with a 1-0 count.
Carlos Marmol gave up his first run of the second half, a solo home run to Joey Votto in the 8th that cut the Cubs' lead to 3-2. The monster shot that landed onto Sheffield was the rookie's 15th of the year, 7th of the season against Cubs' pitching. Kerry Wood retired the Reds in order in the 9th, including striking out an old nemesis in Javier Valentin looking to end the game.
The Cubs offense did little in the 3-game series against Reds' pitching and continued to struggle on Thursday. They did just enough to win the game but the eventual winning run scored on a double play ball off the bat of Derrek Lee. Mark DeRosa hit his 15th long ball of the season in the 2nd inning and the difference in the game was the 4th home run of the year by Carlos Zambrano. Big Z gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead with the 16th homer of his career in the 3rd inning. Like Wednesday night the Cubs offense could not tack on and while the Cubs led from the 1st inning on, it never felt like the Cubs were in control of the game.
Ron Santo kept repeating during the 7th inning "I'm a little nervous about this game" and there was reason for his concern. While the Cubs won the game and their 7th series in a row, they appeared to let off the proverbial gas during this series, a subject that was discussed by Lou Piniella in his post-game press conference.
Thursday was a good win against a division rival but one that was much closer than it needed to be.
With the win the Cubs became the first team in the majors to post their 78th victory of the season, improved to 18-19 in 1-run games and for the second time this year Lou Piniella's crew is 29 games over .500....
Pitching and defense may win championships but for the last three games the Cubs' defense and pitching was the difference in taking 2 of 3 from the Cincinnati Reds. With the Cubs' offense in a slump, the pitching staff allowed 4 runs in 3 games and only 1 run was scored off the Cubs' bullpen. Even with Carlos Zambrano struggling with himself and his command, he was still good enough to pick up a win.
Carlos Zambrano made an interesting statement following Thursday's win. Zambrano said, "I would rather have people go out there and hit home runs than walk somebody." And while walks may be infuriating, at least they do not give the opposition an immediate run. While the comment is a little concerning, it might be just as confusing.
The Cubs first run came after a lead off walk by Alfonso Soriano. Ryan Theriot worked the count to 3-2 and with Soriano running, Theriot singled to center. With runners on 1st and 3rd and no outs, Derrek Lee stepped in and hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Soriano scored but the thoughts of a big inning were dashed on the ground ball off the bat of Lee.
The offense managed only 3 more hits after Zambrano's home run in the 3rd and hit into two more double plays. The Cubs inability to tack on runs allowed the Reds to stick around and they almost made another comeback at Wrigley.
The Cubs received a big break in the 7th inning from a familiar face. Corey Patterson led off the inning with a walk and for some reason tried to steal second with his team down by 2 and no outs late in the game....and on the road. Henry Blanco made a very strong throw to cut down Patterson. What makes that an interesting decision to say the least is that Paul Bako followed with a single to right on the next pitch from Zambrano. With 2 outs Chris Dickerson singled to left....
Lou Piniella must kick his offense into gear. After a lackluster performance over the past three games there are six more left with two teams very similar to the Cincinnati Reds.
Jason Marquis is scheduled to face John Lannan in the series opener on Friday afternoon against the Nationals.
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A thought.
* Should the batting order be tweeked? Each day, Derek Lee is proving that he is not a number 3 hitter. When was the last time he hit a HR?
Jim...Lee's last home run was on July 27th against the Marlins.
Im beginning to wonder the same as well.
How about:
Vs Righty
Soriano
Theriot
Edmonds
Ramirez
Lee
Fukudome
DeRo/Fonty
Soto
Lefties are when I have a hard time maing the lineup. Strangely enough Derrek has more HRs against righties than lefties.
So I guess were kinda stuck with what we have..
Soriano screams no. 3 hitter. And maybe one day..
But help us out here. What do yall think. Itll never happen but it makes for good discussion Jim(TP)
Neil:
Thanks for D Lee info. Now, gets some sleep.
We need you strong for October.
Matt:
I like that line up. I really believe that D. Lee should be hitting 5th.
LOL! JIM[tp]! jajajajaja
NOTICE: Final letter from CANDLE fighter
Dear Fellow Great Creatures,
I, CANDLE fighter, thereby and hither congratulate the fans of the Cubs. They are great creatures. The Cubs were truly and madly the greater creatures in Miami. They have my respect. I, living in Miami, will see to it that I watch every WGN day game and some night games.
I can tell you loved my enlightenment from the get-go. I thank you for encouraging me to carry on from July 30th to August 10th. It has been a dozen (12) days since I last commented, but I had been in deep soul searching with my group of hippies.
These people are without a doubt great creatures. Please, Please listen to this:
I had 3 bowls of soup for those 4 days with cornbread. I ate a few figs also. I am learning to reach many young people within our group of 7. I am drinking grape juice for the awareness of my body parts. We can improve this world. I know. I know. You think I'm going crazy, but I have to share my experience with you. Here it is:
Tue-Fri August 12-15th: I ate carrot soup and 3 figs with grape juice for breakfast at 6:30 a.m. I was aware of 2 group members getting off their medication after 13 years of use. I ate chicken soup and cornbread with water for lunch at 12:30 p.m. My leader told others about a yellow jacket that he rescued from near death and was treated at a Miami insect facility from mild starvation. I think that was the 3rd day of the 4, because the specialist asked him why he had a yellow jacket as a pet. We deem insects special. They are great creatures, too. Lets be real, buddy! He told her, that it is part of out tree embracement that we share most Thursdays. I ate tomato soup with grape juice and had 2-3 figs. On that day, we danced around the logs because all 7 of us are expecting to increase our membership soon. We were enlightened by that force and can sing aloud deep into the night.
Are you kidding me! People don't just get off of medication instantly after 13 years of use and have our leader rescue a yellow jacket from near death. We stepped within the realm of naturalist and accepted great things unforseen. I give my leader credit for incorporating those 4 days of a special diet. I must share more, since this is my Final Post. Here is goes:
I was there at the meeting all 4 days. We take Saturday, Sunday and Monday off. We experienced radicalness all day. We meet at 7:45 a.m to 10:15 a.m. This is the best 2 and a half hours in our great lives. My hair is in its 37th inch, my beard is in its 30th inch, and my brown sweater is in its 9th year. I have worn the same brown sweater, whether hot or cold, everyday for nearly 9 full years. Isn't it wonderful to be a great creature. I now some of you can attest to my experience, but I listen to music outside our group also. Just not around our leader. I only take off my sweater when I take a bath every 5th day of the month, i.e. the 5th,10th,15th,20th,25th and 30th of each month. I wish some of you could join me, but your pride may run too deep to associate with our fortitude. I love you, too. It's been fun, but I must leave you with these words:
Hold on, the race is almost won!
Go forth, take it to the path of great course!
Please remember me, if you win or lose! Don't get hung up with the ho-humness of everyday life. Be an enlightenment to others. You changed my views on the sports business. I truly am pouring out my bellen viewic belief system views to you! Please, take me serious. We are ALL great creatures. My work here is done!
Stay great and peace to these great creatures:
Gary J, Brandon W, Tim, Lew, Jerljr, Eric, ZTH, Rob, Jimbo, Kerry R, Gene, Scott, Lows, Matt Haggard, Matt "oddball" Haggard, Joe (San Diego), Gary, Gregg, Bo, Dorasaga, JimK, Jim, Trevor, Barry, Ryan R, Jason B from AZ, Jim H, roguesqr09, Chris, Keith Moreland, Stan, Baron, Aaron, Nick, MarioC, Jeff in Az, Agustin Rexach, Neil, Andy Pinto, JOET, jj, Duas, David, Dusty Dixon, Greg, Aus, Scott McMeekan, Adam Wendel, Jim (Tinley Park), Bill, Jimbomrd, Ieatboogers, Gucci, Phil Johnson, Jason, Milwood, mrdro, Ben
I, CANDLE fighter, apologize to anyone I missed. Again I leave you with this:
Peace out to all my hippies!
Even if you happen to not be a hippie, I still love you, madly and truly with all my body parts.
Yours You Great Creatures You,
CANDLE fighter
I for one am going to miss the candle. I don't really understand why that was his final post. Oh well.
Today I have one of those feelings... I think the bats will wake up in a big way. Maybe I still have a sour taste in my mouth from our last meeting with Washington. Either way, its a great day for Cubs baseball.
I had no idea you were allowed internet priviledges in the asylum...
Let's hang 10 on the Nats and put this division away by next weekend!
Go Cubs