Game Ninety-Three: Cubs (47-45) vs. Phillies (53-38)
Game Time - 12:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Carlos Zambrano (6-4, 3.36/1.32) vs. Jamie Moyer (9-6, 5.58/1.41)
The Cubs enter play today in a three-way tie for second place with the Brewers and Astros, just two games back of the Cardinals, in need of a win. After an embarrassing loss on Monday night and Jayson Werth's walk-off on Tuesday, the Cubs will turn to Carlos Zambrano to end their two-game losing streak.
A day after reaching 75 games played and vesting his option for 2011, Milton Bradley is expected to be back in the starting lineup against Jamie Moyer. Look for Aramis Ramirez to get the day off following Tuesday night's game. Jake Fox should be in the starting lineup at either third or behind the plate. Koyie Hill caught all 13 innings but it is hard to imagine Lou Piniella giving Jake Fox his first big league start at catcher with Carlos Zambrano on the mound.
The Cubs' bullpen is spent after 13 innings on Tuesday coupled with all of the short outings by the starters out of the break ... a short start today by Carlos Zambrano is simply not an option.
The offense is overdue for a big game in this series, but it all begins with Carlos Zambrano ... and one win at a time.
Carlos Zambrano is coming off a win, but it was a shaky outing at best. Zambrano threw a ton of pitches in five innings (113) but drove in the winning runs and lasted just long enough to qualify for the win. Zambrano was his own worst enemy again (one unearned run on four hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts). Zambrano has put together a solid season and must step up today with a long start.
Zambrano has pitched better on the road this season than at Wrigley. Big Z is 4-2 in nine starts outside of the Friendly Confines with a 2.91 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP compared to a 2-2 record in eight outings at home with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. However, like Rich Harden, Zambrano is 2-2 in eight day starts with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP compared to a 4-2 record in nine evening starts with a 2.56 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.
Regardless of the conditions the Cubs need Carlos Zambrano to pitch, and act, like the ace he is paid to be today.
Today will be Zambrano's eighth career start against the Phillies. He is 3-3 in the first seven with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP ... last season, 0-1 in one game with a 7.50 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP (five runs on nine hits in six innings with a walk and six strikeouts). Zambrano is 1-2 in three career starts at Citizens Bank Park with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.
- Paul Bako - 1-for-8 with a walk
- Eric Bruntlett - 1-for-9 with a walk
- Gregg Dobbs - 2-for-3 with a double
- Pedro Feliz - 1-for-14 with a double and a walk
- Ryan Howard - 3-for-13 with a double
- Jimmy Rollins - 3-for-17 with a double and a walk
- Carlos Ruiz - 1-for-3
- Matt Stairs - 1-for-5 with a walk
- Chase Utley - 3-for-13 with a double and a walk
- Shane Victorino - 3-for-6 with 2 walks
- Jayson Werth - 0-for-3
Somewhere there is a photo in an attic that has aged badly for Jamie Moyer, because the 47-year old southpaw has found the fountain of youth ... and just keeps posting wins. After a horrible start to the season, Moyer has won his last five starts dating back to June 23. In other words, the last time Jamie Moyer lost a game was June 17 to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Moyer has not just won his last five games, but he has dominated in three of the five starts. Moyer is coming off a seven-inning gem against the Marlins. He allowed just one hit and no runs with a walk and four strikeouts.
Moyer is 3-0 in his last three games with a 3.44 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP (seven runs, on 14 hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings).
For as good as Jamie Moyer has been of late, he has struggled at home this season. In his last start at Citizens Bank, Moyer gave up six runs, all earned, on eight hits in five innings to the Reds. For the year, Moyer is 4-4 at home in nine starts with a 6.79 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP ... opponents have hit .306 against him.
Moyer has never lost to the team that drafted him back in the sixth round 25 years ago (1984). He is 3-0 in six career starts against the Cubs with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP ... last season, 1-0 in two games with a 5.23 ERA and a 1.94 WHIP. The Cubs hit .354 against Moyer but could not beat him.
- Jeff Baker - 1-for-3
- Milton Bradley - 7-for-20 with a double, a triple, 2 home runs and a walk
- Mike Fontenot - 0-for-3
- Kosuke Fukudome - 2-for-6
- Reed Johnson - 11-for-33 with 3 doubles and a home run
- Derrek Lee - 4-for-8 with 3 doubles and a walk
- Aramis Ramirez - 0-for-10 with 2 walks
- Alfonso Soriano - 11-for-50 with a double, 4 home runs and a walk
- Ryan Theriot - 2-for-9
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Lineup should be:
Johnson-CF
Theriot-SS
Lee-1B
Fox-3B
Bradley-RF
Soriano-LF
Baker-2B
Hill-C
all righty against the left-handed Moyer.
Think Lou will be smart enough to do this? Think again. THe 0-fer boys against Moyer like Fontenot and ARAM will most certainly be in the lineup. LOL...we really are the worst big market team right now....even worse than the Mets. At least they have an excuse, as they've had FAR more key injuries than we've had.
They DID lose to the Nats last night Aaron...even we couldn't manage that.
gotta keep it in context though. Here was their lineup:
Pagan
Castillo
Wright
Franceour
Tatis
Murphy
Santos
Cora
they had the woeful Oliver Perez with a 7.68 ERA on the mound up against Lannan with a 3.38 ERA. They were missing Reyes, Beltran, and Delgado in that lineup.
Think about that....the only two big bats we've missed this year have been ARAM, and Soto (recently), otherwise we've been at full strength. Every team has little injuries, but what the Mets have gone through is demoralizing with their key injuries. Beltran has missed over 30 games with his .336 avg, .425 OBP, 8 hr, 40 RBI. Delgado has missed over 70 games with his .298 avg, .393 OBP, 4 hr, 23 RBI (in just 26 games). Reyes, their table-setter, has missed 60+ games with his .279 avg, .355 OBP, 11 SB, 2 hr, 15 RBI (in just 36 games).
So, yeah, they get a pass...we, on the other hand, do NOT. Imagine for a minute if we lost Lee, ARAM, and Soriano all at the same time....Because that's essentially what happened to them, losing their lead-off hitter (granted Soriano has moved down now), and 2 middle of the order bats.
A few thoughts...
1 - It should be self evident that JH goes soon....more important than him
leaving...is who replaces him....whoever
replaces JH better be good.
2- While I feel the franchise is hamstrung for future movss...I take hope that Ricketts went to Boston for advice
on structuring their deal and potential
on the franchise....It is a very hopeful
sign that they use Boston as a model
to breath life into the structure of the franchise.
3 - The current club reminds me of the PK Wrigley days...where you were constantly scratching your head at their
moves...While some of the contracts
go back several years...Hendry really
acheived "most hated" status in one
offseason of discontent.
4 - After this season...If I were Lou...
I'd pick up my fishing rod...and leave
Bradley to the Illinois Department of
Human Services for mental evaluation.
right on all counts...
but I'll add that if I were Bradley, I'd retire, seek anger management, and donate all but the MLB minimum of my salary this year to the RBI program or something like that
lets be honest..... if you were milton bradley, you would keep your money and try to play better baseball.
As much as last nights game ticked me off that we couldn't pull it off, if we can we win today a 5-2 road trip is pretty dang good. Especially given the way we have been playing on the road.
True...BUT the offense has scored 2 runs in 22 innings against a very good team! Even if the Cubs were to miraculously pull this division out of their collective rich butts...they do not have anything that will compete with Philly or LA. NOTHING!
If Philly acquires Roy Halladay, if the Dodgers acquire Cliff Lee, If the Doltus Extroidanairus Jim Hendry continues to do NOTHING than that is it! Season over! I hate it, but this team comes in after a 4 game sweep of Wash and loses 3 they are a .500 team no better! Wait til next year Cub fans because Hendry is too dumb to do anything about it, Piniella has had it and the window has closed on this aging, lackidaisical team!
Oh yeah to add more optimism to the party...Soriano is locked in til 2014 and Bradley will now make 12 million dollars of our money in 2 years. YOU FREAKING SUCK HENDRY!!!!!!!!!!!
on that note...Go Cubs!
Starting Lineup:
CF Johnson
SS Theriot
1B Lee
3B Ramirez
RF Bradley
LF Soriano
2B Baker
C Hill
P Zambrano
Ryan Dempster threw a simulated game today and felt good, if the x-ray goes good tomorrow, he could come back as early as sunday.
Yawn...and Fox still sits!
Wake up LOU!
Yea, But at least the mighty Jeff Baker is playing !!!! LOL
ughhhhhhh !!!!
unreal
What amazes me (or I guess nothing amazes me these days) is that Hendry allowed a 3rd year vest for Bradley after just 75 games. I would have said "hey, it's a 162 game season, and I need you on the field (and producing) for atleast 75% of the time, equaling 121. Sorry, anything less than that just won't work for us".
75 games??? Just a "gimme" for ol Milton. Thank you again JH.
Bryan...I totally agree with you...a week or 2 ago...I made the comment that it's almost as if Hendry gave the contract to MB's agent and told him we need an incentive for vesting the third year....why have that clause at all if its just for 75 games? Ridiculous!!!
Pirates trade 1B Adam LaRoche to red Sox. No word who the Pirates got. I know its not the Cubs but I just thought I will pass it by.
7/22/09 Things that make ya go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Hmmmmmmmmmm Score 2 runs in 22 innings, yep, let's keep doing what we're doing!
Hmmmmmmmm Jake Fox hits HR's and sparks the offense...Damnit bench him!
Hmmmmmmm the "game board" is in such a funk lamenting over his new 12 million dollar payday that he has to have special tutelage by the manager??? He is back by the way!
Hmmmmmm Koyie Hill could not hit water in a boat, But let's keep trotting him out there!
And Hendry does NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Fox again!! What the heck is going on?! This would be the perfect day to give Ramirez a day off, that way he has two days to rest before this weekend.
The only explanation I want for Fox not being in the lineup is that he is being involved in a major deal bringing us a legit power hitting outfielder, but I know that is NOT the case!
I want FOX in the line-up more then you, but with his defense OUCH.
I dont want him at catcher, because he can't call a good game, he wouldnt be able to tell the pitcher how to strike this player out.
Maybe in LF for Sori, but hes hitting better, so really no upgrade there, RF? Yeah but would LOU do that? Nope
Fox v. Soriano...no upgrade you say??? What team/players are you watching?
I'm still wondering why everyone seems so surprised that we've maintained status quo all year long. Why would they change? Lou threatened benchings early on....did nothing. He then threatened to play more of Hoffpauir and Fox....again, did nothing of the sort....He then threatened to sit Bradley for extended periods of time...yet, it was funny how he was always pinch hitting, despite his awful approach at the plate.
It's been nothing but idle threats all year long. He now says we need a power lefty bat. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....I think that was a given all year long, and he is just now mentioning this? I like Lou more than Hendry, but I still think they're both idiots.
Nothing will ever change with this team until new ownership is installed, and we all know that might not even happen now
100% right Aaron. The media should call BS with Lou, and start challenging him on his idle threats that yield nothing. In all seriousness, only a Cubs franchise could spiral so dramatically downward in such a quick period of time.
Do you guys realize we've pretty much been harping about the same things since April/May? It's a broken record.
Before spring training...Hendry was talking about acquiring a lefty reliever.
He's still talking about it.
Baker at 2nd? Another failure to address needs.
We were screaming for Fox to come up...
He's up...but not being used...he must have done something to earn Lou's ire.
If Rickett's bid fails for some reason...
The nexr buyer should devalue the Cubs
by 200 million....$120 million so we can dfa Soriano and Bradley.
$80 million for the fan base Hendry is losing.
Wasted chance?!?!
Good job Bradley, looks like the time off really helped.
Nick....patience man. Milty said "he's back", and it's only late July. He'll turn this around for JH. Right!
LOL, good point Bryan!
Hope "Z" doesn't get dehydrated...it's that type of day.
I really wish we had a whole team of Theriot's.
WHY ARE OUR INNINGS WHEN WE HIT SO FAST
No hitting and Zambrano will loose his cool today. Looking at a sweep!
That will be no big surprise at all, Jim. Several of us saw that coming after that first game fiasco. Moyer will absolutely torment Cub hitters this entire game. Whoever said on a post yesterday or day before that the Cubs would make short work of Moyer didn't have any idea of how he can work overanxious hitters!
If the Cubs win today, it would make a 5-2 road trip.
Maybe some of your expectations are getting unreasonable.
I'm just saying....
I have a simple question....
Why do we always trade for worthless retreads like a Jeff Baker ??????
I'm sure we gave up nothing for him, but that's not my point.
Wouldn't we all rather see more of the AAA guys like Blanco, Fox, Hoffy, Fuld than guys like Baker ??
Just drives me nuts.
The innings are just flying by when the Cubs are batting in this series, aren't they! Is it any wonder that we fans are in such of state of frustration and disappointment. We expected a lot more of the 3rd highest paid team in the major leagues, but the realization of having to watch a very mediocre team is tough to stomach.
no not unreasonable expectations cuz no one in the race should lose to the nats
yay milton
good relax milton bradley, thats what i like.
Good job Soriano!
SORIANO AND BAKER!!!
Finally...
There we go Baker!
that was a good inning, nice to see them put up a crooked number, can't let up though with this Phillies offense and that park
How about a nice shut down inning here Z.
Nice shutdown inning
great job by Z to get that 1-2-3 inning, get our bats back out there and get some tack on runs, and it was good to see that the Phillies may have to go to their pen early today, I know they were lights out last night but they gotta be gassed today
nice to see some offense finally. Still don't like the fact we couldn't get Baker in from 3rd with no out. It's pretty pathetic, even with the 8 and 9 spots coming up
Nice RBI for Milton
Bradley with two hits!
Here is what I don't get. Bradley is hitting over .300 from the right side, but yet won't ditch the switch hitting thing and just bat right handed! Sounds pretty selfish to me, if he really cares about winning he would do whatever to help the team.
Good job by Z limiting the damage
Man, Johnson is really struggling as of late.
Did anybody really feel this game was safe with a 5 run lead?
Time for the offense to tack on
Ask and you shall receive.
atta boy ARAM, got those 2 runs back
so you wanted Fox to play third today?
Good at bat by Lee, and great job by Ramirez, way to tack on!!
I've noticed that Bradley hits over .300 on the right side, but has more walks on left side.
I will admit, yes I did, but I am glad he didn't.
I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth, but I would not mind seeing a little power put on display too. All these hits and not one of them has even rolled to the wall.
Jake Fox... Master of the Sac Fly.
Way to get a run in Fox!
I would like to give ARAM 2 days off with the off-day 2mero an then give him the day on friday.
we should have gotten more runs there but atleast we got to tack one. Fox-Hill did hit the ball hard.
Hey Boys...looks like a better day...we actually scored some runs...and Cincy/Houston at home SHOULD be easier than Philly on the road. We just need to hold on.
The Cubs have signed 3rd round pick, pitcher Austin Kirk. Kirk was 9-1 last year in high school.
Come on Marshall, lets get outta this!
And there's completely average Sean Marshall, and that's why you're in the pen.
if any of u didnt think that the ball feliz just hit wasnt a homer off the bat, ur not a cubs fan haha
you're so right, i did think that was gone with the sound coming off the bat and by Guzman's reaction
Man oh man, can't anything be easy!
Damn it! Just could not put them away. Even if the Cubs do hold on to this lead, the Phillies will feel like that the only reason they lost, is because they ran out of innings.
Well, time to tack on a few more!
nick already noted how badly Johnson was struggling, but until I looked it up, I didn't know how bad it really was. He hit .206 in June, and only .125 so far this month.
Yikes, I didn't realize it was that bad either, thanks Gary.
might have to do with the fact that he rarely plays. I would trade him to a team that plays him more consistently.
Why can't we just get the third out with out any dang drama!
why why why?
WOW!?!?! Loaded with walks
take best on a Howard grand slam?
reverse psychology worked that time...woohoo...Gregg still sucks a big one
Gee, I thought you liked Gregg as much as Dunn...lol
they never can make it easy
I sware to God that I had Leon Durham flashbacks with that roller to D.Lee!
Yiiiijaaaaaa! 3 more outs
WHEW !!! WE could use some insurance.
anyone know what Soriano's approach is at the plate. I mean, he might as well go up there with a blindfold on. He's got to have the worst approach in the entire league at the plate. He's pure guessing up there. He doesn't react...He swings. The second pitch in the sequence, he had his bat on his shoulder, already deciding he wasn't going to swing. What?!? So....let me swing wildly at a pitch in the dirt, then all of a sudden, I'll be selective. No wonder 90% of the league wasn't after him his free agent year
i'll send you 50 bucks if you can post 3 times without complaining!
Hi Agustin...it's a beautiful day outside
I really like the Phillies ballpark, and our offense finally showed up today, which was great.
our bullpen has done a pretty good job today!
I accept PayPal, or Google check-out...whatever you prefer....LOL
lol!!!!BTW you were right...Fuku Helicoptered twice last night, and Sori had his strikeouts...not that any of those predictions will make you an Oracle but it did happened. :)
Actually...I thought Soriano mailed it in without really trying...and Theriot
let Lidge off the hook by awinging at ball four.
Agustin...if you have an extra fifty...what would you like me to say?
That a boy Johnson, good time to break outta the funk!
Huge single by Reed
Wow. And you think our closer has issues? Man, I can't believe how good Lidge was last year and how bad he is this year.
and now, since I'm done with Agustin's shenanigans, I can say that I'm VERY glad we tacked on 2 more, because we all know who is closing, don't we? Even then, it might not be enough...LOL
nice win today to get 1 in Philly and have a 5-2 trip coming out of the All Star Break and be at worst only 2 games out of 1st after today, we still have some issues to work out but at least for today it's looking pretty good
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
May we see many more comments like that Jim.
CUBS WIN!!! CUBS WIN!!!
Glad Gregg got to see that one.
4 years straight, i see one win and two losses.
Cubs Win!
if Fox is not going to play, at least trade him. if his bat -hot and productive- can't find a position to play now, on this team's season-long offensive funk, then he isn't going to start anywhere next year, or the year after, or...
ATTN: Cruller Jim, GM 101 would explain that this is exactly the kind of player you trade this time of the year...and please try to get in return someone who a). plays a position that you need
b). will maximize the productivity of player gained over player lost.
i recommend a 2B or SS. maybe a Catcher. NOT a RF, LF, or CF aver the age of 30.
Neil,
you should look into implementing an ignore function on this site.. that would be swell
5-2 roadtrip after the break. You can't ask for more than that.
A Jay Bruceless Reds team while Cardinals play the Phillies. Hopefully they can make up a game.
At this point, I think having a closer platoon might work better than just Gregg as closer. The guy is going to lead me to an early grave. I mean, I know Wood was close to being about as bad as Gregg, but at least he'd have the common decency to tip off when he was going to suck it up (by hitting a batter).
Good win though, and hopefully they can get at least two more wins in a row out of this (also, a REAL backup catcher).
I think everyone would have been very happy taking 3 of 4 from the Nats and 2 of 3 from the Phillies.... That would have produced a 5-2 trip which is exactly what we ended up with. So, all in all 5 wins out of 7 games on the road....I'll take it. Now lets go home and beat up on the Reds and Stros....
Cards trade Chris Duncan to the Red Sox for Julio Lugo, Cards will not have to pay anything of Lugos contract. I dont see how this helps the Cards. When Glaus comes back who sits, Derosa, Lugo, Glaus.
he's a bench player at best, or he will play 2B. It seems DeRosa will be the regular now in LF with Brendan Ryan at SS, and Lugo at 2B. All this does is allow for more versatility, and stick it to the Cubs once again. Duncan was blocked everywhere by Pujols, DeRosa, Rasmus, Ludwick, and Ankiel. They traded from depth to get depth, whereas we would've played Lugo everyday in my opinion. Like the DeRosa trade, it was meant to preempt what the Cubs would've done.
Aaron...that might be true...but the Mets were also reportedly hot in pursuit
of Lugo...and...in my opinion...Lugo is no longer an everyday player...I don't think he is completely healed from his injury....but a .284 batting average would have been attractive.
I assume this means the Cards will be looking to move Greene when he comes back.
I dont know they gave a Duncan and a PTBNL for a bench player, if they did that is stupid on the Cards part. Duncan was a good 4th oF and a bench player
Way to go CUBS!!! lets hope we can gain some ground this weekend, and jump into first either this weekend or next week. What a great win today