Game One Hundred Thirty-One – Cubs 6 Pirates 11
The Cubs were humiliated on Monday night in Pittsburgh, the Pirates scored 11 runs on 19 hits and it could have been worse, they left 11 on base, including the bases loaded twice. Angel Guzman was horrible, could not record a out in the 4th and allowed 8 runs on 10 hits in 3+ innings, he struck out 5 and walked 2 on 93 pitches….93 pitches in 3+ innings, that stat is beyond alarming. While Guzman could not find the strike zone, neither could Glendon Rusch nor Ryan Dempster. If the Cubs are going to mail in the rest of the season they should let the Faithful and the city in on their plans.
Guzman did not fool any of the Pirates hitters, they were waiting and sitting on his fastball and when he threw it, the ball had little to no movement….the Pirates took full advantage. The game started with Juan Pierre hitting his 2nd home run of the season and Ian Snell did not allow another hit until the 6th. The Cubs tried to make it interesting but 2 runs in the 8th off of Ryan Dempster put the game out of reach for the 77th time this season. To say Guzman took several steps back in his development is an understatement. He did not look comfortable at any point during the game. Guzman faced 4 batters in the 4th before Dusty went to the pen for Glendon Rusch. Rusch allowed 2 more of Guzman’s runs to score and he allowed 1 run on 5 hits, walked 2 and struck out 2 in his 2 innings of work. Rusch is a waste of space PERIOD and should be released. Why lose with your past when you can lose with your future?
Will Ohman looked good in his 2 innings of work, he struck out 4 and walked 1 and gave the Cubs a chance at a comeback. Ryan Dempster, who had not pitched since August 22nd, gave up 2 runs on 4 hits in an inning of work.
Derrek Lee made his return to the lineup; he was 1 for 4 with a 2-run single in the 6th. Juan Pierre added another 3 hit night; he was 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI’s. Pierre started the 4-run 6th and scored on Lee’s single. Michael Barrett also doubled in the 6th to score 2 runs. The middle of the lineup (Ramirez, Jones, Lee and Barrett) was 3 for 10 with 2 walks, 3 doubles, 4 RBI’s and 3 runs scored. The Cubs main problem on offense was they walked 4 times and that led to the loss. Unfortunately for the Cubs 3 of those walks scored and they kept the offense from producing more by clogging the bases with unnecessary base runners.
Carlos Zambrano is scheduled to take the hill on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, the Cubs have dropped 4 in a row and they last time they won was when he was on the mound. Zambrano’s 15th would be great for the Cubs and put him one step closer to winning the NL Cy Young this season.