Cubs 5-8
Padres 8-6; split series
POTG: RP Ryan Dempster (2IP, 0R, BB) – not a standout, but someone’s gotta win it
Runner Up: RP Michael Wuertz (2IP, 0R, 2H, BB, 2K, 2 Marooned), RP Scott Eyre (.1IP, 3 Marooned), RP Bobby Howry (2IP, 0R, 2H, BB), 2B/RF Ryan Theroit (2 H, R, SB), the wind
I have something to say here, but
aside 1: you have no idea how surprising it is for me to be writing an update here – and continuing the consecutive games streak over on the neurotic lucha diary. I was pretty sure I was going to be miles from the closest access point tonight.
aside 2: on the other hand, between the crappy connection speed I’m getting (satellite internet sucks, apparently) and this laptop crashing at least three different times this evening, I might have been better off not using a computer at all and spending the evening staring at the large body of water just outside my window.
aside 3: I was pretty sure there was no way I was going to be able to listen to this game unless it was insanely long – so that was nice. I haven’t seen highlights, so all I know about the first 12 innings is what I’ve read.
Aside 4: Pie coming up surprised me; I thought they’d just try to limp along for a bit more, but I guess with A-Ram out and DeRosa hurt and not having a lot of bullpen innings, making a move made sense.
Aside 5: I’m thinking Ohman didn’t have options (wait, no, wrong!), and the plan must be for Guzman to get streched out to take over a starting job – Miller’s job, quite obviously.
Aside 6: Back when the deal was signed, I didn’t think giving Ohman two years made sense, because the organization hasn’t ever seemed that high on him. I think he’d be a while from being in danger of being cut even if he had a 1 year deal, but that’s looking like a bad sunk cost at the moment.
Aside 7: between the record, and Soriano pretty much getting to do whatever he wants to do, I’m not sure Lou is having all that much fun at this point.
Aside 8: But I also think his 14th inning managing was quite smart. With Ohman coming in, the 14th inning sure seemed like the inning where the Cubs would have to score to at least stay in, so it makes since to sacrifice D Lee to get Ward in there – better than pinch hitting and possibly needing another pitcher.
Aside 9: Even subbing Jason Marquis into run worked – you always can deal with the consequences in the 15th, but you have to get there for any of it to matter – but the story about Lou putting Floyd in charge of picking the starting pitcher to go out there is just plain weird.
Aside 10: and he totally should’ve gone with Rich Hill! He’s got speed! He’s got no hitting! Cliff is not off to a good start.
Aside 11: You know Z is ticked about not getting to pinch run and play first. That’d be a dream come true. I wonder if Cliff explained to Z that he was holding him back for a pinch hitting appearance to come.
Aside 12: Z better be able to go long tomorrow, because there’s not much out there to relive him. If he ever wanted to do one of those 120 pitches, 12 K, 1 ER CGs, now would be the time.
Aside 13: It’s amazing how quick everyone’s fallen into being angry at Jacque. I’m not sure I’m much different. When driving aimlessly today, I came up with this idea that Jacque is actually the very poor man’s A-Rod: signed by a team for too much money, but everyone holds it against him instead of the team, amazing ability to end up at the plate in clutch situations (regardless of where he’s batting) and almost always makes the worst of those chances, and has lost something in the field. Also, neither has led their team to a championship and neither is being invited over to a sleepover with Derek Jeter.
Aside 14: So, I didn’t actually see any of Pie, so I can’t really say much about how he looked. It sounded like he showed a really good arm, so maybe the idea of eventually playing him in a corner outfield position may actually work out – though, there’s no way Soriano in CF and Pie in RF makes any real sense at all.
I have no feel if this is going to be the start of a historic career, or a just a barely noteworthy one, or just a one week stint before we see him full time much later in the season. But I’m glad they’re giving him a real shot off the bat.
Off topic: awesomest thing all day.