Month: July 2007

Game 96: Diamondbacks 3 – Cubs 2

Diamondbacks 51-48/4.5 Cubs 51-45/2.5 POTG: RP Michael Wuertz (IP, H, 3 K) Runner Up: SP Rich Hill (6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 6 K), SS Ryan Theriot (H, BB, SS), RF Angel Pagan (2 RBI, 3B), 1B Mark Derosa (2 BB, R) I’m allergic to writing these all of the sudden. I … Continue reading “Game 96: Diamondbacks 3 – Cubs 2”

Diamondbacks 51-48/4.5
Cubs 51-45/2.5

POTG: RP Michael Wuertz (IP, H, 3 K)
Runner Up: SP Rich Hill (6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 6 K), SS Ryan Theriot (H, BB, SS), RF Angel Pagan (2 RBI, 3B), 1B Mark Derosa (2 BB, R)

I’m allergic to writing these all of the sudden. I don’t know what’s going on, honestly. Well, about me – I still like to pretend I know what’s going on with the team, or these hours I’m watching this team are kinda wasted.

There was going to be a time where the team ran out of gas – obviously, there’s a time where *I* ran out – and this was Part 1. After many games with the bullpen getting out of jams and protecting the lead just enough, Bobby Howry had a bad outing. It was bound to happen, at least Dempster was back.

It really could’ve been a lot worse, because Rich Hill had the most unconvincing 1 ER performance ever. 4 walks was the tip of it, he looked bad all game thru, and just kept escaping. You’ll take the performance but you wonder if he’s slipped back into some issues.

Cubs really needed Ram or Soriano to carry the team with this lineup. They were quiet, the offense followed. No one had a really great day, the Arizona relievers were way ahead of the Cubs hitters, and 2 runs is just about right in total. Narrowing it down, leaving Pagan on third in the 4th when he got there with no outs was killer, but you can’t expect anything from Koyie or Rich.

Game 95: Cubs 6 – Diamondbacks 2

Cubs 51-44; 2.5/2.0 Diamondbacks 50-48; 4.5/4.5 POTG: CF Jacque Jones (2 H, 2 RBI, CS) Runner Up: 2B Mike Fontenot (2 H, 3 R, BB, 2 SB), 3B A Ram (2 H, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR), RF Angel Pagan (2 H), SP Jason Marquis (7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 3 K, W … Continue reading “Game 95: Cubs 6 – Diamondbacks 2”

Cubs 51-44; 2.5/2.0
Diamondbacks 50-48; 4.5/4.5

POTG: CF Jacque Jones (2 H, 2 RBI, CS)
Runner Up: 2B Mike Fontenot (2 H, 3 R, BB, 2 SB), 3B A Ram (2 H, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR), RF Angel Pagan (2 H), SP Jason Marquis (7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 3 K, W [7/63])

At some point, the Cubs should stop “winning games they have no business winning.” Not that they should stop winning, that’d suck, but that the Cubs would seem good enough that the wins don’t seem like luck overpowering skill. Still, with Webb (who’s good) and Marquis (who hasn’t been) on the mound, and the Cubs starting a lineup which featured a grand total of 1 player in the spot they started the season and 4 guys who started the season in Iowa – I watched this game and I still have trouble believing they won, again.

Marquis was the difference. It’s nice that the offense got it together to get six runs, but the way Jason’s pitched lately, I dunno if that would’ve been enough. Marquis’s numbers don’t seem to indicate this is all him – out of 108 pitches, he thru 44 balls but some how the Diamondbacks only took 1 walk. It works this game, hope it keeps up happening, but I’m not convinced.

Mike Fontenot batting third, and it worked. Jacque Jones 5th and it worked. This team is strange. Scott Moore was a little bit too anxious, but the way things are going, he’ll probably have 4 RBIs in the next game.

It’s good Ram has learned absolutely nothing about watching the ball hit to left field.

Game 94: Cubs 9 – Giants 8

Giants 39-54, 13.5/13.5 Cubs 50-44, 3.5/3 POTG: CF Jacque Jones (4H!!! – up to 244!, RBI) Runner Up: RP Carlos Marmol (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 R), LF Alfonso Soriano (3 H, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI), 3B A Ram (3 H, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI), 2B Mike Fontenot (2 H, RBI, … Continue reading “Game 94: Cubs 9 – Giants 8”

Giants 39-54, 13.5/13.5
Cubs 50-44, 3.5/3

POTG: CF Jacque Jones (4H!!! – up to 244!, RBI)
Runner Up: RP Carlos Marmol (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 R), LF Alfonso Soriano (3 H, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI), 3B A Ram (3 H, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI), 2B Mike Fontenot (2 H, RBI, BB)

Does this count as being late if I write before I SEE the next game? It’s just starting, tape delayed on my TiVo right now. I won’t spoil it for you – but I have to pause it because they’re showing my the defense lineup and it’s, uh, distracting.

So what we learned Thursday is there’s apparently no safe time to have D Lee out for five games. As soon as we think the Cubs have everything lined up and are even opening up a nice spot for Ward to get some much deserved ABs, all heck breaks loose. The Cubs do not win this game if they do not have people capable of playing in numerous positions; I think most teams are hurting a lot more when they’re quickly down two 1B and a corner outfielder.

This game really should’ve been a blowout like some previously, but the Cubs pitchers were stuck on the gopher ball. It’s a bad thing to have the one big weakness being home runs. That’s clearly the biggest problem for this team, more so then walks issue (which usually is it.) It’s just good that they’ve cut down the number of games where everything goes to heck from the first couple months of the season, and that everyone on the offense is hitting.

It seems like Bonds isn’t done, he’s a force of nature a lot less frequently. So glad to say goodbye to him and the talk.

Jacque needs about three more weeks of hitting like this for the Cubs to get anything worthwhile out of him in trade. Of course, once he did that, no one would want to give up on him. If these Cubs are going All The Way, I sure hope he gets a few more games like this, so he’s not booed at the victory parade or something. You can argue Soriano or Ram ahead of him, but when is the next time Jacque is going to get 4 hits.

Game 93: Cubs 12 – Giants 1

Giants 39-53, 13.5/12.5 Cubs 49-44, 3.5/3 POTG: C Koyie Hill (5 RBI, 2 2B, BB) Runner up: SS Ryan Theriot (2 R, 2 BB), 1B Daryl Ward (H, BB, R), RF Cliff Floyd (2 B, 2 H, 2 R, RBI), 3B Mark DeRosa (2 H, R, BB, RBI, CS), 2B MIke Fontenot (2 R, H, … Continue reading “Game 93: Cubs 12 – Giants 1”

Giants 39-53, 13.5/12.5
Cubs 49-44, 3.5/3

POTG: C Koyie Hill (5 RBI, 2 2B, BB)
Runner up: SS Ryan Theriot (2 R, 2 BB), 1B Daryl Ward (H, BB, R), RF Cliff Floyd (2 B, 2 H, 2 R, RBI), 3B Mark DeRosa (2 H, R, BB, RBI, CS), 2B MIke Fontenot (2 R, H, RBI, 2 BB, SF), CF Jacque Jones (H, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB), SP Z! (5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K, W [12/76]), RP Sean Gallagher (4 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, Save [1/1])

(so, yes, everyone who started but Soriano – and it’s not like he was awful)

This was quite the ridiclous game. Not that I have a problem with that. Ten walks, a four inning save (~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~), and Koyie Hill getting 5 RBIs. I have a rule that anytime Koyie Hill gets 5 RBIs, and raises his batting average allllllll the way up to 179, he’s player of the game. It’s my rule, I’ve got to live by it.

Jacque Jones clutch hit was totally not a hit – Klesko booted it – and should not count against my theory of “Jacque Jones, anti-clutch hero.” It was nice to see him get on base anyway. It was nice to see this whole lineup get on base and do something. Considering no Lee, no Ram, and Soriano only adding a walk, 12 runs from this crew is implausible. Not impossible, that’s for sure.

2 or 3 more innings of shut out ball would’ve been nice for Z. It wouldn’t have been too hard, because the Giants had long since put this game in an envelope, licked it shut, put a stamp on it and slid it the mailbox. Despite the stat help it could’ve been, I think pulling him, and that early, was the very smart thing to do. The game was won, and the Cubs will need those extra innings later on in the year. If you can save Z on a hot muggy day (and he’s got 12 wins and his ERA is under 4 and falling), might as well.

After the thunderstoms that roared thru here last night, I can’t believe the conditions are going to be good enough for a game today, but it seems that way. They’ve been pretty lucky to avoid the raindrops all weekend.

—-

Today’s Moves: Fox up, Cesar gone. Someone’s using up their cell phone minutes this month! What kind of beans do you think they got for Izturis? I sure hope not lima.

I know Jake Fox has games at many different positions not because of versatility, but because of lack of skill at any particular one of them, but it’s so perfect for this season for the Cubs to call up another guy 1) plays everywhere and 2) is a catcher. If Fox doesn’t get double switched behind the plate while he’s up, I’ll be vastly disappionted.

Also, it must suck to be Cedeno/Murton, though I’d assume Ronny gets called back up when Lee’s suspension is over. Roster roulette is so fun.

Game 92: Giants 4 – Cubs 2

Giants 39-52, 12.5/11.5 Cubs 48-44, 4.5/3 POTG: 1B Derek Lee (HR [8/224], 2H, R, RBI) Runner up: Sean Marshall (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K), 3B A Ram (2 H, 2B) It’s tough. The Cubs have won a lot in the last week and not moved up a lot, and immediately … Continue reading “Game 92: Giants 4 – Cubs 2”

Giants 39-52, 12.5/11.5
Cubs 48-44, 4.5/3

POTG: 1B Derek Lee (HR [8/224], 2H, R, RBI)
Runner up: Sean Marshall (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K), 3B A Ram (2 H, 2B)

It’s tough. The Cubs have won a lot in the last week and not moved up a lot, and immediately drop one the day they do lose. They’re going to have plenty of more losses in front of them, which seems strange based on how they’ve been playing, but a tiny little part of you wonders each time if this is as far as they’re going to go. It’s just one loss.

This was not the struggling Barry Zito of 2007. This as a dominant picture throwing a lot of strikes (81 of 109) who the Cubs just couldn’t touch. The first inning run was more on the Giants defense than anything, and Lee’s HR was nice to see, but the Giants pitching was far ahead of the Cubs hitting.

I was surprised for Marshall to be pulled when he was. I’m not sure if the wild pitch in the top of the 6th convinced the Cubs that he had lost control, but he was sailing along and only had thrown 88 pitches. I think any other start on the staff gets that inning (and we could’ve used one less inning from the bullpen.) The Cubs haven’t pushed Marshall into 90 pitches since the middle of June.

First 5 Starts: 100.6 pitches/g
Last 5 Starts: 75.6 pitches/g (or 82/g if you throw out the start he got shelled.)

Sean was coming in off 11 days of rest, so you’d think he’d be ready to go long. There’s something missing here – the team’s gotta know something they’re not sharing.

Marmol, Wuertz and Ohman did not look good today. With Marmol, he’s was due not to be awesome at some point. I think the umpire was squeezing the guys as well. Ohman and Wuertz’s spots ar probably vulnerable in the bullpen after this, except I’m not sure how much Lou is willing to trust Eyre or Petrick at this point.

I think there’s a good 5% Z plunks Barry today, just for kicks. He will definitely celebrate if he strikes him out to end an inning.

on Jason Kendall

(I wrote this yesterday, but forget to hit the publish button. I’m beginning to hate that button.) What the A’s fans are saying about “losing” Jason Kendall Jason, I never hated you, how could I hate someone who would put his face in front of some jagged cleats to win a game? I just got … Continue reading “on Jason Kendall”

(I wrote this yesterday, but forget to hit the publish button. I’m beginning to hate that button.)

What the A’s fans are saying about “losing” Jason Kendall

Jason, I never hated you, how could I hate someone who would put his face in front of some jagged cleats to win a game? I just got tired of watching you hit.

– Blez @ athleticsnation

In my wildest dreams, I had a hard time visualizing a situation where the A’s would get something for Jason Kendall.

– Melissa Lockard @ Athletic Supporters

Will miss Kendall’s grit and pitcher handling, though his hitting is no longer at a major-league level.

– SF Gate’s A’s blog.

I can’t see a downside to this deal

– Len Kasper @ WCIU last night (perhaps somewhat paraphrased – but this killed me because Len’s normally so smart, and he and Brenly were marking out for this deal. What was worse was when they were quoting statistics to prop up the deal, obviously having seen the bad offensive numbers and choosing to ignore it. I know you’re employed by the home team and are going to be biased, but c’mon. That was credibility damaging.)

The coverage of this deal, from a Cubs perspective, has been mindboggling to me. Perhaps I was a slight bit biased, having immediately called a friend after hearing about the deal, and screaming “226!“, which left me little tolerance for differing opinions (as seen on the-w.) You can read the A’s perspective above – to them, this is a great move, getting rid of a player they were sick of watching to open up a door for a player they wanted to see and – bonus! – they got a couple free players and some salary relief out of it.

Look, I think this was a horrible deal. I think the Cubs would’ve been better of making no move than this move. Much like Cesar Izituris, I think the Cubs have traded for a player who’s having a bad time of it and may well be done as a major league regular, but they’re hoping they can fix him (/spread some magical pixie dust) and all of his problems will be gone. It didn’t and hasn’t worked with Izituris, and the Cubs have spent a lot of outs to find that out. I’m very upset to see the same process repeat itself again. I think Rob Bowen had proven to be a bad move (and a bad trade, Z’s hot streak or not) and Koyie Hill is the wrong direction, but Jason Kendall is probably just going to be another mistake and more time wasted going the wrong way instead of trying more promising directions.

The original thought, when this happened, is Pinella had campaigned for a better catcher after tiring of Hill and Bowen’s inability to hit. That may or may be solved by picking up Kendall, but it’s not actually what happened. When you start to read the A’s side coverage, it becomes pretty obvious this was an A’s idea to start with.

“When he told me about his plans for the young catcher they have, we tried to fall in as best we could and make the deal.”

– Jim Hendry, quoted in the San Fransico Chronicle, and a generous, generous man. Hendry’s also quoted hyping up the major league prospects of Jerry Blevin, who’s pretty much be ignored in this deal on the Chicago side. Hendry sounds like he belives this is a steal for his team, and he’s trying to make sure Beane doesn’t get killed by the A’s fans for helping him out. It’s a pretty warped perspective from reality.

Phil Rogers’ short article on the trade was one of the worst I’ve read. Using Jason Marquis, the guy who’s completely fallen apart over the last six weeks, as a proof of the Cubs scouting being smarter than statistical evidence shows either cluelessness or obliviousness. I’m also not sure how much scouting could’ve actually been done, if the Cubs were not looking for catchers (as the SFGate article states), this deal was proposed on Sunday, and Kendall didn’t play on Monday. I think this deal was done 99% based on Jason Kendall name recognition while ignoring all evidence that he – like a lot of catchers when they reach they get into their 30s with a ton of games caught – might be done.

The defense I’ve heared about Kendall’s woeful hitting stats – that’s 226 AVG, 261 OBP, 281 SLG – is that he’s hit better lately. If you accept that, you’ve got also accept how horrible Kendall must’ve been doing earlier for a hot streak to take him to 226.

April (95 PA): 169/221/180
May (85 PA): 213/247/225
June (97 PA): 295/326/432
June (35 PA): 229/229/286

So yes, he did get hot in June, and even show a little bit of power. That was June. It’s July, and he’s back to what he’s been the rest of the season. Do you want to believe the 1 month, or the 2.3 months?

I’m actually more distressed about those on base numbers. Jason Kendall strength, when he was someone you’d want to sign, was his ability to get on base at a leadoff man’s rate. Some of it was because he hit 300 7 seasons, but it was equally about his ability to take pitches and get on base via the walk. While your swing may slow down, an aging player should retain his ability to identify the strike zone and walk his way on base.

Look at those splits agian. Even in his hot month, Jason Kendall’s walks added no more 30 points to his OBP. He’s yet to walk in July. Last season, Kendall’s Isolated Walk was 70, which is where it’s been about for his career. That’s a lot of walks to go missing, and walks that have consistently been missing this year. There’s two explanations for that

* his eyesight is going, so he can’t identify balls anymore
* pitchers have figured out a reliable way get Kendall out, and don’t feel the need to waste any pitches out of the strike zone. Kendall’s not walking because the pitchers don’t fear him making contact.

If it’s the latter, I expect Kendall will get a brief surge, as he faces NL teams that are going off old scouting reports and don’t know how to challenge him. Word gets around fast, and I think the NL will figure out whatever the AL has, and what Kendall has been unable to correct.

I should note that signing Jason Kendall makes all the talk about Barrett being traded for his defense seem like complete bunk. Kendall’s known as a guy you can run at will on. Bowen and Hill seemed to be keeping people relatively honest, but no more.

SBA/G (2007)
Kendall .888 (with the As)
Hill .43
Bowen .59 (with the Cubs)

The big catch here, the big unknown, is how much everyone’s paying for Kendall’s salary. It was $13 million, $5 mil still paid by the Pirates. (What an awful deal for the Pirates.) Season’s 91 games over, and even though it doesn’t exactly work that way, we’ll say that means 56% of the salary has been paid so far.

Kendall’s got a rep as being a good game caller – but he’s also the 5th different catcher the Cubs have used this season. It’s tough to believe any pitcher has a particularly good connection with any catcher at this point.

$5.72mil left in the contract
$2.20mil left to be paid by the Pirates (assuming the Pirates pay over the year and not in a lump sum)

$3.5mil split by the Cubs and As. If the A’s are paying $3.25 mil of it, so the Cubs are basically paying Bowen’s salary for Jason Kendall, well, I guess you’re rolling the dice and hope that Kendall has a better shot to improve than Bowen.

I still rather the Cubs find out what they have in Soto first. If the Cubs internal scouting was correct, the Cubs would be out of it now – Theriot and Fontenot’s hot hitting would’ve never helped out the ball club because the scouting didn’t think they were worth anything. Maybe they’re right to about Soto, and he can’t be a Major League catcher, but wouldn’t you have a little doubt after the other guys you said couldn’t make it have been a valuable assets.

Joe Versus The World – 59: Mike Quackenbush (07.17.2007)

Mike Quackenbush returns to talk his career and Chikara! We talk about trying to get to Japan, his future with ROH and working Bryan Danielson, thoughts on the 2007 King of Trios, and the upcoming Chikara show in Connecticut. Plus, Hungry Hungry Hobo, Freddie Blassie Junior, minis randomly showing up at shows, future clowns, and … Continue reading “Joe Versus The World – 59: Mike Quackenbush (07.17.2007)”

Mike Quackenbush returns to talk his career and Chikara! We talk about trying to get to Japan, his future with ROH and working Bryan Danielson, thoughts on the 2007 King of Trios, and the upcoming Chikara show in Connecticut. Plus, Hungry Hungry Hobo, Freddie Blassie Junior, minis randomly showing up at shows, future clowns, and AAA stars hopefully coming soon to Chikara (no, not Baby Marvin). A jam-packed half hour of power!

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To listen to this show, right click to download the mp3 file here, subscribe to the RSS feed @ http://www.thecubsfan.com/joe.xml, or add it to your iTunes Podcasts by clicking here.

Mike joined us before on #40, before the King of Trios. You can find out more about CHIKARA at chikarapro.com, including details about their show in Wallingford, CT this Saturday. We thank him for coming onto the show again.

Please visit http://www.joeversustheworld.com for an index of old episodes. If you use a non-iTunes podcatcher, check out http://feeds.feedburner.com/JoeVersusTheWorld for easy ways to add the show to My Yahoo, Google and a half dozen other places.

If you’ve got any feedback on this show or any other, we’d love to hear it. Either leave a comment below, or contact Joe at joegagne AT charter DOT net. Thanks for listening – if you enjoyed a show, we’d quite appreciated if you told your friends, or at least told us!

You can download any of our previous editions below. Right click and save them to your computer to take a listen.

Previous editions:
59: Mike Quackenbush [CHIKARA] (07/17)
58: Bryan Alvarez [f4w] (07/14)
57: Tanvir Raquib [Rap & Wrestling] (06/21)
56: Rob Naylor [everything] (06/14)
55: Mike Sempervive [japan] (05/30)
54: Matt Foy [ROH] (05/16)
53: Alex Koslov & thecubsfan [lucha] (05/13)
52: Justin Shapiro [the condemned] (05/06)
51: Dr. Keith Lipinski [everything] (05/02)
50: party time (04/22)
49: Rob Naylor & Bix [GWF] (04/11)
48: Dean Rasmussen [everything] (03/31)
47: Phil Schneider [Best of Japan Indies Results and more] (03/26)
46: Justin Shapiro & Matt Foy [WrestleMania, XI-XXIII] (03/22)
45: Justin Shapiro & Matt Foy [WrestleMania, I-X] (03/17)
44: Chris McLeod, Chris Dempsey, Alan Counihan, Kelvin Cabrerra, Llakor, Kid Zombie and Hobbes [potpourri!] (03/14)
43: Rob Naylor [everything] (03/07)
42: Mike Coughlin [MMA] (02/27)
41: Matt Foy [ROH] (02/21)
40: Mike Quackenbush [CHIKARA] (02/14)
39: Tanvir Raquib [WSX] (01/31)
38: Mark Coale [DVDs] (01/24)
37: Christopher Robin Zimmerman [a little bit of everything] (01/17)
36: Dr. Keith [a little bit of everything] (01/06)
35: Matt Foy & Rob Naylor [year in review, ROH] (12/27)
34: Justin Shapiro [year in review, WWE] (12/23)
33: Adam & Mike [year in review, Japan] (12/14)
32: thecubsfan [year in review, lucha] (12/07)
31: Sven Mascarenhas [wrestling video games] (11/27)
30: American Balloon (2) [wrestling in Japan] (11/23)
29: Scott Christ [TNA] (11/21)
28: Tom Feely [survivor series] (11/19)
27: Rob Naylor (2) [indy] (11/12)
26: Matt Foy (4) [ROH] (11/07)
25: Vince Verhei (2) [comebacks] (10/27)
24: Justin Shapiro (4) [the Marine] (10/21)
23: Bryan Alvarez (2) [everything] (10/10)
22: Ken Dreiling and Jesse “J-tron” Irwin [IWA-MS TPI] (10/05)
21: Matt Foy [ROH] (09/20)
20: Tanvir Raquib [09/11 RAW] (09/16)
19: Rob Naylor [News and tangents] (09/09)
18: Dean Rasmussen [DVDVR, life] (08/31)
17: Phil Schneider [Best of the 80’s Japan Indies DVD] (08/26)
16: CRZ [being CRZ] (08/17)
15: Justin Shapiro and thecubsfan [WON HOF, US, Mexico] (08/10)
14: Dr. Keith Lipinski and Mike Sempervive [WON HOF, Japan] (08/04)
13: thecubsfan [lucha] (07/24)
12: Matt Foy [ROH] (07/17)
11: Bryan Alvarez [being Bryan Alvarez] (07/12)
10: Mike Coughlin [MMA] (07/01)
9: Dr. Keith Lipinski [Japan, general wackiness] (06/27)
8: Tanvir Raquib [ECW, parallel dimensions] (06/17)
7: American Balloon [his career] (06/10)
6: Justin Shapiro [RAW, ROH] (06/03)
5: Albert Ching [Judgement Day, ECW] (05/28)
4: Vince Verhei [everything] (05/21)
3: Matt Foy [ROH] (05/14)
Bonus: Hogan Knows Best recap (05/08)
2: Justin Shapiro [WWE] (04/29)
1: thecubsfan [lucha] (04/22)

Game 91: Cubs 3 – Giants 2

Cubs 48-43, 3.5/3 Giants 35-52, 13.5/12.5 POTG: Rich Hill (8 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, W [6/12]) Runner Up: 3B A Ram (2B, 2 RBI), C Koyie Hill (HR [2/3]), 1B D Lee (H, BB, R) I’m forcing myself to make Jason Kendall an independent post, because otherwise it’ll all be … Continue reading “Game 91: Cubs 3 – Giants 2”

Cubs 48-43, 3.5/3
Giants 35-52, 13.5/12.5

POTG: Rich Hill (8 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, W [6/12])
Runner Up: 3B A Ram (2B, 2 RBI), C Koyie Hill (HR [2/3]), 1B D Lee (H, BB, R)

I’m forcing myself to make Jason Kendall an independent post, because otherwise it’ll all be Jason Kendall and nothing else. This means I have to write TWO posts, and promptly. I’m not sure how I’ll manage.

It’s a great thing that Ram’s baserunning (or lack thereof) was completely meaningless. It was a double, he got to second, that’s good enough when the team wins because he knocked in the tying and go ahead run at the same time. The image of Ram staring at his home run to left, starting to walk/jog towards first and belatedly realizing it was headed off the wall was hilarious, since he made it anyway. It’s exactly how hurt his knee in the first place, and surely will hurt something again, and I have no idea how he thought that was going out, but it was all great.

I dunno if Rich was great here. I mean, he did only allow two runs over eight innings, but not many strikeouts and he did give up another home run. He was certainly better than recent performance, but I wonder how much of this was the Giants offense. I like Ray Durham, I would’ve been okay with him being picked up during the off season, but Ray Durham batting fourth is a sign of bad things. I also think we’re not giving the Cubs defense as much credit as we should – it really seems like they’re getting to more balls than previous years. Hardball Times says they’ve got the 2nd best rate of turning batted balls into outs (Mets are 1 better). If there starters can keep the ball in the park and not walk the other team, the team does extraordinary well.

I gave the ESPN broadcast an inning before I gave up. I have no idea what they’re trying to do with their baseball broadcast – sports radio discussion for those who want to ignore a game at the same time? Dunno.

Game 90: Cubs 7 – Astros 6

Astros 39-51/10.5, 12.0 Cubs 45-43/3.5, 3.0 POTG: 1B D Lee (3 H, 3 RBI, BB, R, HR [7/223], SB) Runner Up: SS/2B Ryan Theriot (2 H, 2 R, HR [2/5]), C Geovany Soto (H, R, BB), CF Angel Pagan (2 H, 2 RBI, HR [4/9]), RP Carlos Marmol (1.1 IP, H, BB, 2 K, 0 … Continue reading “Game 90: Cubs 7 – Astros 6”

Astros 39-51/10.5, 12.0
Cubs 45-43/3.5, 3.0

POTG: 1B D Lee (3 H, 3 RBI, BB, R, HR [7/223], SB)
Runner Up: SS/2B Ryan Theriot (2 H, 2 R, HR [2/5]), C Geovany Soto (H, R, BB), CF Angel Pagan (2 H, 2 RBI, HR [4/9]), RP Carlos Marmol (1.1 IP, H, BB, 2 K, 0 R, 2 Marooned), RP Michael Wuertz (1.1 IP, BB, 2 K, 0 R, 2 Marooned)

How do I say this, politely? Jason Marquis is a piece of garbage. I’m sure he’s a wonderful human being, but right now, as a pitcher who’s goal is to get outs without getting runs, he’s horrible.

05/29: 5 IP, 5 R
06/04: 5.1 IP, 2 R
06/09: 5 IP, 5 R
06/14: 5.1 IP, 2 R
06/20: 1.2 IP, 6 R
06/25: 5.2 IP, 3 R
07/01: 7 IP, 1 R – an actual quality start!
07/06: 4.2 IP, 6 R
07/15: 4 IP, 6 R

That’s 1 quality start in the last 9.

He’s the exact Jason Marquis the Cardinals thought they were getting, so the Cubs probably should’ve known better. And yet, 2.4 years more of this.

The hope is things can turn around, and turn around fast. They turned around for Marquis from the start of the season, and they sure turned around for Michael Wuertz. After his awful performance on Saturday, he might have been done with the team if he gave up Sunday’s game, and it sure looked like he was about to. Even the strike out to get out of the inning was a pitch way out of the strikezone, where he was just very lucky the Astros went fishing. Maybe this’ll get him kickstarted again.

This game was one the Cubs appeared to have no business winning at all, and yet the won. They’re making a habit out of it likely, and that’s what has separates this recent absurdly hot streak from a slight above average win record.

It’s near impossible to pick a player of the game, because so many people had to do excellent jobs to get the win, and they all actually did. I went with Lee because it was the game changer – it meant Wandy wasn’t going to last as long as the Astros needed, it got Lee off his homerless streak, and it finished bringing the Cubs all the way back from their deficit. You could make a case for Pagan or Theriot or anyone in the bullpen (though a couple less walks would be nice.) Or Ram, who didn’t have a huge offensive day but saved a couple of runs twice with plays at third base.

It’s a shame the Rockies couldn’t do more, because it feels like the Cubs have played well enough to earn another game or two off the lead the last couple of days. Still, they’re making steady progress in the Wild Card race (despite the west teams playing against each other), and the real story about the Giants series is a bad team coming to town to face a hot one. Cubs should win 3 more in this next series.

Game 89: Cubs 9 – Astros 3

Astros 39-52/11.5 Cubs 46-43/3.5 POTG: SS Cesar Izturis (2 H, 2 R, BB) Runner Up: 3B A Ram (2B, 3 H, 4 RBI, R), LF Soriano (HR, 2 H, 2 R, 3 RBI), SP Ted Lilly (8 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 7 K, W [9/68]; H, R, RBI), 2B/RF/3B Mark DeRosa (2 H, R) … Continue reading “Game 89: Cubs 9 – Astros 3”

Astros 39-52/11.5
Cubs 46-43/3.5

POTG: SS Cesar Izturis (2 H, 2 R, BB)
Runner Up: 3B A Ram (2B, 3 H, 4 RBI, R), LF Soriano (HR, 2 H, 2 R, 3 RBI), SP Ted Lilly (8 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 7 K, W [9/68]; H, R, RBI), 2B/RF/3B Mark DeRosa (2 H, R)

I was at this game! Sitting down, even, once someone re-explained to me the concept of “aisle” row numbering. That was sorta sad, because we were actually ahead of schedule and navigating with a fair bit of accuracy up to that point.

This was a completely different game in the first 3 inning than the last 3. Burke’s leadoff triple was a fluke, a well placed bloop hit combined with a bad defensive left fielder making a bad decision. Cliff really should’ve played it safer and given up the single instead of the very low percentage dive play. Besides that play, it was looking to be an oddly pitching dominant game in windy conditions.

And then, Roy Oswalt lost the game on a ball 3 to Cesar Izturis. We were way up the third baseline, underneath the upper deck and kinda blocked by a pillar, so it’s not like we could accurate gauge pitch location, but it was borderline. There was no question it got to Oswalt, and got to him mroe when Cesar turned the next pitch into a single to end the 3 1/3 perfect game. Oswalt lost his composure at the wrong time. Lee and Ram made him pay, and Oswalt was like a different pitcher the rest of the game.

It still seemed like a unsure game, even with Lilly pitching very well, even past the 2 more runs in the 5th. Soriano’s home run ended it, ended the homerless streak and made me wonder if they’d empty the bench completely at that point. (They sorta did in the 9th.) The Cubs have been lacking the extra base hits to put games away, relying on wins of a thousand paper cuts instead, and getting the big home run here was pivotal for the weekend. I don’t think the Astros figured on having to get 2 2/3 out of their bullpen with Oswalt starting, and that extra work played into Sunday’s game.

Batting Izturis second was a stroke of genius. I have no idea why Lou put him there, and I don’t know if there was actually a reason behind it, but it worked beautifully. Any one who can get on base three times in front of Lee and Ram on a hot streak is a huge asset to this team. It was only for one day, but it was one fine day.

On the other hand, Fontenot and Bowen both looked awful. I think Koyie Hill is the one getting sent to AAA first of the three catches, and it makes tactical sense, since he’ll be less likely to be claimed. If you went strictly on performance, I think Hill might have a better case than Bowen, but both haven’t really shown much at the plate at all.

I had a hot dog, a Mountain Dew, a pretzel and then later ice cream at the game. It was all great. It was a nice day to sit outside – between the wind and the upper deck shade, it was as comfortable game to go to as I’ve been this season. On the way back, we listened to 620 AM, and it’s probably a bad sign that it’s July and I’m trying to get in the Milwaukee Brewers radio station to keep tabs on things, but pennant races are fun, and I guess the Cubs really are in one.