Box – note they somehow have Walker as POTG.
Cubs move up 10-7
Cardinals drop to 11-7, and take the series 2-1.
POTG: SP Mr. Greg Maddux (7 IP, 5 H, BB, 3K, 0R; ERA drops to 0.99! Win #322! Completely awesome.)
Runner Ups: CF Juan Pieree (2 H, 2B, 3 R), 2B Ronny Cedeno (2 H, 2 SAC, 3B, R, RBI), 1B Todd Walker (2 H, 3 RBI), 3B A-RAM (HR, 2 RBI, BB)
Maddux got all the way up to 93. He probably could’ve cruised longer if they needded him to, but they really didn’t. (Though the way Novoa and Dempster pitched, it’s good he did go six; they could’ve turned this back in a game.) I think we’re all looking forward to him being the first 30 game winner since Denny McLane (though you figure one of these days, the hitters won’t show up for him – not that he needs all that match.)
Cubs end up the road trip 5-4, which is something. A Good Something. They should take a the next series, and they’ve just got keep doing the best they can while they’re shorthanded.
Restovich (#3 move, #28 Cub) pinch hit earlier this series, so if/when Angel Guzman debuts (up for Jerome), he’ll be the 29th Cub of the season. He was in the bullpen during the game, and the announcers explained he’s being held back as a long man for the next couple days. If he gets used Monday or Tuesday, they’ll make another move and probably call up Rich Hill to start on Wednesday. If Guzman doesn’t get in the game, he gets the start. Dusty often talks about liking to pick good spots for rookies to get in, so I think he’d prefer to debut Guzman in relief and send him down, but it depends on how things play on. Guzman’s been disappointing in AAA so far this season, with 6 ERA, so I don’t expect much from him, this stint.
The Cubs had less patience with Jerome Williams than I did, which is probably for the best. It also makes you wonder if they’re on the edge of making a move with Rusch or Marshall, who’ve been similiar inconsistent. I’m guessing, if Marshall gets lit up on Tuesday, they might send him down to make room for Hill, and give Rich and Angel the last two spots in the rotation for now. That’s just guess work, and I hope Sean pitches well enough that it’s completely pointless.
10-7 is a good start, and under different circumstances, I think I’d be really happy with that record so far.