Game One Hundred Forty-Seven: Cubs (88-58) vs. Astros (80-67)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN (Chicago Area Only) - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location - Miller Park, Milwaukee
Carlos Zambrano (13-5, 3.58/1.31) vs. Randy Wolf (10-11, 4.45/1.39)
After receiving a day off on Friday and spending Saturday on call with the MLB front offices, Lou Piniella's crew will return to work tonight against the hottest team in all of baseball....the Houston Astros. The unfortunate circumstances in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike has moved two of the three games to Miller Park in Milwaukee and the third game will be played on September 29th after the conclusion of the regular season if the game is needed to decide either the NL Wild Card or the Central Division Champion.
At the beginning of play on Sunday, the Cubs lead in the central is 6 games over the Brewers (7 in the loss column) and 8 1/2 over the Astros (9 in the loss column). The Brewers have a day-night doubleheader in Philadelphia and own a 2 game lead over the Phillies and a 2 1/2 game advantage over the red-hot Astros.
The Astros have won 14 of their last 15 and have many comparing their patented last season surge to the impressive run the Colorado Rockies made a year ago. Roy Oswalt and Randy Wolf are a combined 17-2 since July 27th and Geoff Blum and Ty Wigginton have led the offense. Randy Wolf told Holden Kushner on XM Radio Saturday that the team is playing relaxed, loose and with a lot of confidence. The Astros wanted these games played in Houston, and rightfully so, but with all of the damage in the Houston area, they chose for the right reasons to allow two of the three games to be moved to Miller Park....despite the fact the Brewers' home field is known as 'Wrigley Field North'.
For only the third time since 1961 weather has forced Major League Baseball to relocate games to a new location. Hurricane Ivan forced the Marlins to play the Montreal Expos at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago (September 13 - September 14) in 2004 and last season snow in Cleveland forced the Indians to open their home schedule at Miller Park against the Angels (April 10 - April 12). The last time the Cubs were involved in games being postponed due to a hurricane was in 2004.
Jason Marquis and Jack Cassel were originally scheduled to pitch in the opener on Friday night. Marquis will face Brian Moehler on Monday afternoon instead and hopefully the Cubs will not have to make a trip to Houston at the end of the season to play a meaningful game. The Cubs have 16 games left on the schedule and 15 games in 15 days before the last day of the season on September 28th....two weeks from today.
Carlos Zambrano will make his first start since facing these Astros on September 2nd at Wrigley. Zambrano will not face Carlos Lee but a very dangerous and confident lineup that includes Hunter Pence (19-for-59 in 15 games against the Cubs this season with a home run, 6 doubles and a triple - .322/.355/.508/.863) and Miguel Tejada (18-for-57 in 14 games against Cubs' pitching this year with a home run, 5 doubles and 2 triples - .316/.339/.526/.865).
Maybe the down time gave the Cubs offense a chance to get a breathier, especially Derrek Lee. The Cubs need one of their leaders to step up and start producing or it might be time for Lou Piniella to move him down in the lineup....
Today is a big start for Carlos Zambrano. Reports over the last week and on Saturday from Randy Bush stated Big Z is feeling good and is ready to pitch. As good as Rich Harden was on Thursday and despite the fact Ryan Dempster has been the most consistent starter for Lou Piniella this season....the Cubs go as Carlos Zambrano goes. Zambrano is one of the team's leaders as well as their emotional leader. The Cubs need Zambrano back on the hill for the remainder of the season if they are to play in October.
Zambrano left after completing 5 innings of work against the Astros on September 2nd. Zambrano threw the ball exceptionally well in the 1st inning with improved velocity and command, but gave up 2 runs in the 5th before telling Larry Rothschild he did not feel well. Zambrano struggled in August for the second year in a row and early runs from his offense will allow him to just concentrate on pitching a good game.
Zambrano is 6-4 in 12 road starts this season with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP....against Houston, he is 1-1 in 3 starts with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. While Zambrano will face a lineup without Carlos Lee, the Astros have proven to be a better team without Lee in the lineup. Today will be an excellent test to see how healthy, both mentally and physically, Zambrano actually is.
- Brad Ausmus - 9-for-43 with a double and 6 walks
- Lance Berkman - 9-for-60 with 4 home runs and 14 walks
- Geoff Blum - 5-for-24 with a double
- Michael Bourn - 1-for-5
- Jose Castillo - 5-for-21 with a home run
- Darin Erstad - 2-for-10
- Mark Loretta - 3-for-12 with a double
- David Newhan - 1-for-5 with a triple and 2 walks
- Hunter Pence - 4-for-14 with 2 doubles
- Miguel Tejada - 5-for-9 with a double and a home run
- Humberto Quintero - 1-for-2 with a double
- Ty Wigginton - 0-for-6
- Randy Wolf - 0-for-2
The last time Randy Wolf faced the Cubs he helped complete the 3-game sweep at Wrigley and tossed his first complete game shutout in more than 4 years (April 24, 2004). Wolf had pinpoint control and painted the outside corner against a Cubs lineup that was (and still is) struggling mightily at the plate from the top to the bottom of the lineup. Wolf has been a good pickup for the Astros but he is the same pitcher they knocked out after 4 innings back on May 12th. The Cubs beat Wolf and the Padres 12-3 with a starting lineup that featured only one lefty....Kosuke Fukudome.
Wolf is 2-7 in 15 starts on the road this season with a 6.13 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. While the Astros are the home team, his best start of the year on the road came at Wrigley. The offense must make him work and not allow him to get comfortable on the hill....for the second time in less than two weeks.
Cubs stats against Wolf this season:
- Ronny Cedeno - 2-for-2 with a walk
- Mark DeRosa - 1-for-5 with a walk
- Kosuke Fukudome - 0-for-1 with 2 walks
- Reed Johnson - 0-for-5
- Derrek Lee - 3-for-6 with a double
- Aramis Ramirez - 1-for-7
- Alfonso Soriano - 2-for-7 with a home run
- Geovany Soto - 2-for-6 with a walk
- Ryan Theriot - 2-for-6 with a walk
- Carlos Zambrano - 1-for-2 with a double
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Update - According to a report on WGN.com and from the Sun-Times, tonight's game between the Cubs and Astros will only be available on WGN (Channel 9) in Chicago. ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball agreement prohibts other games from being shown around the country during their time slot.
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Brewers lose game 1 to the Phillies......Cubs now lead by 6.5!!! Magic Number down to 9!!
Although that part is good.....it looks more and more that the Phillies will take the wild card and face the Cubs in the opening round....I was hoping for the D-Backs....but even they faded and it would be the Dodgers we face in the opening round if the Brew Crew can somehow hold the wild card.
According to the Sun-Times, Ted Lilly will start Monday's game against the Astros, not Jason Marquis.
WGN channel 9 will carry the game rather than WGN America.
ESPN's rule.
If the Sunday game is rained out then they will show Cubs Astros.
Love those Brewers. Phils win Game 1....Cubs now up 6 1/2.
Matt...you are right. WGN in Chicago only. I will change the game preview.
Stupid ESPN.
Whats the chance that Cubs Astros on WGN America would have outscored ESPN Sunday Night baseball in the ratings game?
Tonight's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Soro - C
DeRosa - RF
Johnson - CF
Cedeno - 2B
Zambrano - P
Piniella stated in the pre-game show his rotation against the Brewers will be:
Dempster vs. Sabathia
Marquis vs. Sheets
Harden vs. Parra
what time is it in chicago?
same as the cco site right? 6;55
Welcome back to baseball boys!
SORIANO!
SO-RI-ANO (clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)!!!!!
Number 28....71 RBI's
SORIANO!! That's a good start!
Brewers are down 4-0 in the 2nd
Wolf threw 21 pitches in the 1st inning, two 3-2 counts on Lee and Ramirez before striking both out.
On a sad and interesting note..of the Cubs final 14 (or 15 if played) games that could determine the outcome of the season...WGN America is only carrying 3 of them.
Sad sad sad...only the fans who perhaps could afford to purchase Comcast through sattelite tv or who's cable providers actually carry it will get to see these crucial games.
I games broadcast rights and corporate business are more important than the fans.
Such sadness makes me reflect upon the good ol' days whe WGN carried all the games..those were good times.
Well I for one am glad that the Cubs are not on WGN tonight. This is a sweet episode of Newhart.
;)
It's time to move Lee down in the lineup. Move DeRosa into the 3 hole. Lee's power is pretty much gone (only 3 HR's in the 2nd half) and he strikes out way too often.
Andy, you're over-reacting. Lee's only 2nd on the team in strikeouts
Only 12 pitches for Wolf in the 2nd....They must make him work and quit trying to hit his pitches. Lou should have inserted a lefty in there to keep him from getting comfortable. If he continues to throw darts, it could be a long night.
Rob, we need someone with more power in the 3 spot. D Lee just has not been that clutch this year.
Well.....Cubs are leading....Brewers lost game 1 and are losing game 2..... could that 7.5 game lead become reality??
Then it's a race to see who wins the wild card....do we play the Phillies.....or do the Brewers or Astros get the spot and we play the Dodgers (or Diamondbacks with a miracle)....
Thats the clutch Derrek Lee we remember!
Big double by Lee, 2 outs, 0-2 count. Maybe that will get him on track.
Nice job D-Lee.
Nice hit Ramirez, and good heads up base running
Suppan is done! 6-0 Phils in the 4th...this is awesome
Aramis with a hard single and a big double by Soto....all 4 runs after 2 outs.
Does anyone have a feel for the attendance in Milwaukee tonight?
Great start tonight, and continued meltdown by the BrewCrew.
I dont want to jinx it, but does everyone remember last week when Soloman Torres recently proclaimed the Brewers were going to catch the Cubs? So much for strength of schedule...6 of last 12 against US!!
Bryan....Pat and Ron guessed around 30,000.
Thanks Neil. Pretty impressive!
What a tight strike zone on Bourn
Neil I agree...very bad calls but Big Z comes back and says...Can't Touch This o o o ooo! and induces the double play with Tejada!
Time to tack on...
Neil I Agree. I know...I am an agree[ing] machine!!
Nieve and Borkowski have done a good job and I am not saying blow them out, just another run or two to break the pattern.
Neil I a.....just kidddin'
Bryan....23,441 at tonight's game.
wow...
fingers crossed eh?
It's been a while since he's done it, but I remember Zambrano use to go 7 or so no-hit innings all the time. I'll bet he's done it at least 5 times. I'm glad he's back, this is just the kind of boost the team needed, and it could carry them through the postseason.
All,
Since I don't have the chance to watch the game can someone tell me what the crowd is like? I am assuming a major Cubs crowd but is it very evident that it is an Cubs away game with a major Cubs crowd?
Wow, I can't watch the game and just happened by......um.....don't wanna say it, so I won't. But WOW.
Pitch count is a tad high though, so I wonder about that.
Big time Tom.
Especially with every pitch Z throws.
Tom, tune into espn now and see for yourself.
Man, I can't believe that only channel 9 has this. STUPID. I bet ESPN is absolutely LIVID.
Tom, mostly Cubs fans. Pat estimated at 95%
agustin, what do you mean? I can't get anything but the sox?
They are going to put on the cubs 9th now and cut the Sox.
I got it!!! C'mon Z!!!!
QUICK! go to ESPN NOW!
OH......MY.......GOSH.......
I'm crying right now!!!! And no, I'm not drinking!!!
NO NO!!!!
YEAH!!!
We are all so lucky to see this!!!
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
WOO!
HOO!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HITTER!!!
This is why he is our number one!
Anyone not want to start Z in game 1? :)
WELL DONE Z!!!
This is so awesome...I can't believe it..I'm crying..hahaha. Thatta boy Z.
Let's Review:
Hottest team in baseball gets no-hit at Miller Park.
Yet the Brewers were busy losing 2 in a row in Philly while this was happening.
So much for Z's bum arm.
Good call by ESPN to not put this on tv...
Stick a fork in the Brewers, they are done.
You bet! Lovin Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was unbelievable.
I have never watched every pitch of a no hitter.
Neil, did you superstitiously not mention the no-hitter? I wonder how the Brewers feel? Swept by the Phillies, while Zambrano throws a no-hitter in their park.....OUCH!
Is this frickin great, or what?
Congratulations, Carlos.
You ARE the man.
Oh yeah, way to go Cubs, as well.
Its been a few days, but that W flag flying outside the house sure looks nice tonight.
That was amazing. I hate WGN for not playing that on TV...Pat and Ron will do though. Unbelievable!
check one off the list of things i have never seen the cubs do in my life time way to go Z now its lets see if we can get that pesky world series thing checked off to lol go cubs go
Thank God ESPN switched over to let us outside Chicago watch the 9th inning. What a night for Big Z. The lead over the Brewers is now 7 1/2 with the magic number down to 7. What a night!! Is it more than ironic that they did it all at home stadium of the team that has been trying to catch them all year?
Oh man, I forgot about Ronny......I wish I could have heard his call....I'm sure it will be on the radio on Mike & Mike...
Thank god for MLB.TV playing it! Same here Neil, first no-hitter I've watched every pitch of!
Gary...yes.
What will be lost in the great performance...Geovany Soto, a rookie, just caught a no-hitter and the first for the Cubs in 36 years.
I AGREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
I prayed and got it, thanks GOD! Big Z said that the next step is the world series!!!way to go!!!!!
I Agree with Z
I sooo gotta listen to Pat and Ron's call!!
That was AWESOME!! I've got chills like crazy! Yes thank goodness ESPN switched and I listened to Pat and Ron...Ron said he felt like he did when he was on the field! Unbelievable, and against the Astros makes it sweeter! I don't even mind so much that the Bears choked that game away anymore! Congratulations BIG Z!!!!
Neil, you took the words out of my mouth......Soto.....can you imagine what he must feel like, with everything that's happened this year?
Can you imagine what the kid will be feeling like if (when?) we win the World Series?
Are you KIDDING ME!?!?!?!
WOWWWW!!!!! What a night!!! A NO-Hitter!!!! Brewers lost the doubleheader......Cubs lead 7.5!!!!!!!!!! Mafic Number 7!!!!!!!
I dont know about anyone else, but getting to sleep tonight is going to be rough.
But Ill take it.
Screw sleep, Jimbo.
Lets party!
Been MIA from the site for like 2 months but had to come back for this.
YEAH BIG Z!!!!
I was shaking through that whole last inning and had to listen to Pat and Ron for the first 8 which made it special in its own right.
ITS GONNA HAPPEN BABY!!
I'm with you Matt.....I'm ready to drive the 2 hours to the Cubby Bear just because!!!!!
Anyone with me???
So...I guess Zambrano's arm is feeling ok...... :-)
Having a hard time how to start the recap Neil? This is unreal!!!
Way to go Z!!!!!!!!
How about that for a spark.
Another first this year since.......
Its a magical year.
I was listening to Pat and Ron and I couldn't even tell you what he said...it was just so amazing I can't remember anything but Ronny screaming! It was amazing!!!!!
Oh, and take that, CC!!!
If you turn on WGN radio now, you will hear Pat and Ron's call
Ron- "Holy Macaroni"
lol
When the no-no happened Ronny went silent. Sounded like he died for a moment!!
So cool!
YEAH BABY!!!! Way to go BIG Z!!!! Thank you Milwaukee for your stadium, thank you Philly for sweeping out the trash and that's how you throw a no hitter CC!! My fellow Cub fans, I feel a World Series, don't you?
Agustin....no, but had to get my thoughts together. 'Z No-No for Zambrano'. Jerljr is exactly right, another special moment in a season full of firsts and since....
Hey fellas. My interent just got back, at of all nights to have interent problems, luckly enough I was able to get enough reception to listen to the last two innings in the car, wish I could have been hear with ya all during it.
Way to go BIG Z!!! That was AWESOME!!! I love this team!!
Phillips is on ESPN and made the comments that it is interesting that Lou left Z in for 110 pitches to get the no hitter. Seriously? I think Z would have punched Lou in the face if he took him out at 100 pitches. Now 125-130.... I understand. But it was pretty clear Z was feeling JUST FINE!
"Seriously? I think Z would have punched Lou in the face if.."
You made me laugh so hard I spit coke all over my couch Trevor, haha.
Z would have!
Man, I am too pumped to sleep. I can't wait to see the highlights of the game again!!
Phillips was right about one thing, Z is back, and with him Harden and Dempster at the top, we are the team to beat!
I recorded the last three innings!! I've watched the last inning 3 or 4 times already! Just amazing...
It's one thing for a relatively rookie pitcher to throw a no-hitter with a team that's way out of the race....but Big Z for the Cubs this year?? It doesn't get any better than this...except for the WS!