Cubs 27-34
Braves 35-29
POTG: 2B Mike Fontenot (HR, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Runner Up: 3B Mark Derosa (2 H, R), RP Bobby Howry (2 IP, H, BB, 0 R, 2 K), SS Cesar Izturis (2 H)
This was a bad weekend by the umpires, who wre horrible at being equitable if nothing else. It was fine enough to throw intentional on Saturday, but not Sunday, and an intentional shot by Renteria ends up counting as nothing. Clearly, the rules were inconsistently applied, and it put the Cubs at a major disadvantage.
After Lilly got booted, this became a game the Cubs had no business actually winning. None of the bullpen guys, besides Howry, looked particularly great but they did kept the team in the game, and that’s all that can be asked. The problem with having to go so many relievers is there’s always going to be one who just doesn’t have his stuff or doesn’t have his luck today, and the odds of someone blowing up rocket up as more get a chance. Dempster’s had a pretty good stretch, and he was just due for a bad outing. Nothing much magically about it – it just hurt more because they were so close to stealing back this game.
Got wonder if Gallagher goes down, and Rocky Cherry or someone else gets called up for the makeup game. Gallagher might not still not have much left, and it’s Eyre who hasn’t been used in some way (and maybe Marquis in an emergency on his throw day or even Lilly?) Z looked better last start, but if he goes bad or throws way too many pitches in a short time again, they’re going to need some help.
It’s hard to think this way, but if the Cubs weren’t going to score in the 9th regardless, it’s better they didn’t have to go to the bottom of 9th and throw even more pitches. Still, Barrett letting one get away, even it’s a wild pitch, kinda still stings.
I wish the offense could’ve done a bit more – this was not a good day for Felix Pie – but this was one that seemed destined for the L column as soon as the ejection. It was nice to see them battle to stay in it.