box. Cubs take the series 2-1, and rise to 7-4 on the year. The Pirates are 4-10, and perhaps don’t have any more meaningful games left in the season (or at least meaningful ones to them.)
POTG: 3B A-Ram (2 H, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; Comcast went with Rusch. They are wrong.)
Runner ups: SP Glendon Rusch (6 IP, 3 R, 5K, QS, W – if he doesn’t give up the 3 run HR, he’s POTG); CF Juan Pierre (3 H, 2 R, SB, 1 SAC), 1B D-Lee (2B, R, 2 RBI), 2B Todd Walker (HR, R, 2 RBI)
Pittsburgh fans really need to let go of the A-Ram hate; there were people cheering when he got hit yesterday, and that’s never cool. It’s time to move on.
I missed about six innings of this one doing other things, so I again don’t have much to say. I didn’t see much of Rusch’s start, so I’m not sure if he was lucky or good, but the results are fine enough. After this weekend’s set of starts, I think the team is no longer on that worried about starters for this stretch till someone comes back to take a spot.
All the papers seemed to be going with the idea of Pie coming up for Pagan, if Monday’s MRI put him on the DL. Apparenlty, they’re all wrong – David Aardsma got called up after the game. (Move #2 of the season, Cub #27; let’s see if I remember to keep count.) I think they’re over concerted about bullpen usage, but the rotation isn’t getting the innings at this point. Maddux doesn’t go long, Marshall and Williams aren’t trusted to go long, and Rusch and Zambrano haven’t been good enough to go long. If you are going to need at least 3 innings out of your pen each day, maybe 7 relievers does make sense.
Obviously, the long term plan is to stick to 12 when Wood (assuming he’s first) comes up because he probably won’t be able to go long either, but that’s dependent on everyone staying healthy and good.
Has anyone figured out exactly what blue camo t-shirt is sweeping the clubhouse? This has the makings of this summer’s ‘it’ Cubs accessory.
I’d much rather see Cedeno 2nd and Bynum 7th when we’re playing with lineup, but it worked out today.
People who drafted Dempster must be dying right now. He’s given up no runs, but he sure isn’t getting the saves. It’s just a quirk.
Next up is the Dodgers, where we face ex-Cub Nomar and deal with annoyingly late start times. What kind of road trip is this anyway? Pittsburgh to Los Angeles (to off day) to St. Louis?
MON: Maddux vs Brett Tomko – expect Neifi to get the start, and figure on everyone writing their “Why didn’t Furcal end up with the Cubs – and is it a good thing?” story.
TUE: Z vs Derek Lowe – battle of headcases, though Z looks comparatively sane
WED: Sean Marshall vs Bard Penny – one the Cubs have no business winning.