Game One Hundred Fifty-Four – Cubs 2 Reds 4 – 5 innings
With a News Short…
After a 1 hour 30 minute rain delay the game was called after 5 innings. Rich Hill had mixed results in the 5 innings. The good news….Hill struck out 10, the bad news….of the 4 hits he surrendered, 3 were home runs, which led to all 4 of the Reds runs. Hill was incredibly sharp and his signature curve ball was unbelievable but he left a couple out over the plate and the Reds took advantage of their home run friendly park.
The Cubs scored just 2 runs in the 5 innings of play on 4 hits. Juan Pierre scored the first run of the game off of an error by the Reds and Henry Blanco hit a solo home run to left for the other Cubs tally. With heavy rain in the forecast for Saturday it could be Sunday before the two teams take the field again. Hill suffered only his 3rd loss since being recalled at the end of July and gave up more earned runs than in any start since August 11th in Colorado. Hill’s inability to keep the Reds in the park resulted in the lefty allowing the most home runs in a single game this season and the first round trippers allowed in the month of September. This was an all and nothing game for Hill and should not be blown out of proportion. When he located he got the results, when he missed, the Reds took advantage, plain and simple….even the best have bad outings. Hill’s next start, probably Wednesday against the Brewers, will tell a lot about his development. Hill needs to bounce back from Friday night in Cincinnati and finish his season on a positive note.
With the game being short, obviously so is the recap. Only 8 games left in 2006.
Carlos Zambrano is scheduled to take the mound on Saturday night in Cincy….Zambrano could still win 17 games this season with 2 straight to finish the year.
Miscellaneous News….
– Reds.com is reporting that the Reds will open the 2007 season at home against the Cubs for the second straight season.
– I was traveling on Friday and was unable to update the site….several reports out of Florida and Chicago have indicated that Joe Girardi will not return as the Manager of the Marlins next season. Could it be homecoming for Joe? Will the Cubs go with Fredi Gonzalez or resign Dusty for another season? Only time will tell….