Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
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| SP | Jason Marquis |
SP |
Aaron Cook |
| 1-0, 3.86, 11K, 7 BB | 2-1, 3.12, 12 K, 8 BB | ||
| 2B |
*Mike Fontenot |
CF |
*Scott Podsednik |
| SS |
Ryan Theriot | 2B |
Clint Barmes |
| 1B |
Derrek Lee | 1B |
*Todd Helton |
| 3B |
Aramis Ramirez | LF |
Matt Holliday |
| RF |
*Kosuke Fukudome | 3B |
Garrett Atkins |
| LF |
Mark DeRosa | RF |
*Brad Hawpe |
| C | Geovany Soto |
SS |
Troy Tulowitzki |
| CF |
*Felix Pie | C |
Chris Iannetta |
| P | *Jason Marquis | P | Aaron Cook |
Pinch-hitting/pinch-running specialist Jason Marquis gets to try his hand at pitching this afternoon at Coors Field as the Cubs play the Rockies and seek their seventh consecutive win, which would match their longest streak of a year ago.
MLB Press Pass Game Note of the Day: At 15-6, the Cubs are nine games over .500, something they didn't accomplish last season until September 22nd, when they beat the Pirates to rise to 82-73.
In Marquis's one start at Coors in '07, last August, he had one of his best outings as a Cub (6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB). In fact, throughout his career, Marquis has been outstanding in this park (3-0, 2.49 over 21 2/3 IP with just one homer allowed).
The home team has lost four games in a row, and in each of them, the Rockies had a lead heading into the eighth inning. The last time they won was last Saturday, at Houston in a game started by Aaron Cook, who allowed the Astros just four hits over seven innings.
Cook is an impressive 2-1. 2.14 over 21 innings lifetime against the Cubs, and our non-pitchers are a cumulative 9-for-42 against him.
My favorite moment from Wednesday night's Cub win:
Not the Ramirez homer.
Not the Theriot go-ahead single in the tenth.
But the double steal in the seventh inning.
The Cubs had already scored once to draw within a run, they had two men on base and nobody out, and Aramis Ramirez was at the plate--a pretty good position to be in. But the double steal put the Cubs in a great position to tie the game and/or take the lead. The fact that Ramirez subsequently struck out and DeRosa lined into an inning-ending double play didn't even matter. It was a bold act of confidence, perfectly executed ("obviously the result of advance scouting," said Bob Brenly on the telecast), and it is great to see that the Cubs have a manager with the inclination and playing talent to go for his opponent's jugular.
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#1 Re:At 15-6, the Cubs are nine games over .500
If we had just traded five or six players off our 40-man for Brian Roberts we'd probably be 21-0 now.
#2 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
As Lou goes with the "Three Lefties" in the lineup.
And one can hit.
Well, he is pushing all of the right buttons so far so I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt here. Plus, there is less pressure in front of the road crowd. Although - I have read several accounts of the Cubs comprising 50% of the attendance at Coors.
Too bad Marquis isn't a Switch hitter - we'd bring 4 lefties to today's lineup.
__________________________Disappointed by "Cubbery" since 1966
#3 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Doesn't Marquis bat left-handed?
__________________________"I will ruin this house with my anger!" - Master Shake
#4 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
that "free murton" crusade sure has ended early for a guy with only 1 start since his callup.
woo...real bench depth. past couple years have been great about that.
#5 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
that "free murton" crusade sure has ended early for a guy with only 1 start since his callup.
Yea, watching a guy drive every single batted ball straight into the ground will do that.
__________________________All right, all right, all right....
#7 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
i'm just glad the team has the luxury of not playing murton AND having replacement level players worth a damn with the main starter out.
that's a luxury the past couple years that may have "only" cost 4-6m more in bench costs, but has definitely come in handy.
#6 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
This would have been the day to give A-Ram or DeRosa a day off and play Murton. Neither has a hit in their career off of Cook and after the game the team has a long, 1600 mile west-to-east flight to DC for the game tomorrow.
But I ain't gonna quibble with Lou. Dude's managed us for exactly 1% of club franchise victories and he only needs 14 wins to pass Gene Michael on the All-Time Franchise Wins as Manager list. Can't blame the guy for pressing.
__________________________Back from my tour of Europe, Scandinavia, and the sub-continent
#8 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Apparently, Lou asked both Lee and Aram if either of them wanted a day off because they'll both be playing all three in DC since the Cubs are facing 3 LHP. Lee & Aram declined the chance for the day off.
#9 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
#10 uh oh
Fuentes may have uncovered a weakspot in Fukudome's swing. 3 identical pitches, 3 whiffs
#32 Re: uh oh
Side-arm lefty slider on the outside corner -- not too many guys throw that.
#11 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Bummer: Theriot line-out into a bases-loaded DP with the score tied in the top of the 8th, then his error gives up an unearned run in the bottom of the 8th.
What a difference a day makes.
Just reading the Yahoo play-by-play -- was Theriot's error on a DP ball? If so, even more painful...
At least the Brewers lost...
#13 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Yes, the error was on a DP.....but the thing is, the baserunner on his way to 2nd knew he was going to be out, so he slid way out of his way to take Theriot's legs out......in fact he was so far from the base that after he saw Theriot drop the ball, he could barely reach the bag with his hand.
Pretty dang cheap.
You can see the replay video of that play here:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_...
The game would've remained tied if it wasn't for that.
__________________________Go Cubs!
#14 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
I might add, Theriot could've played it better, but the cheapness of the slide still ticks me off regardless :)
__________________________Go Cubs!
#15 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
That's not cheap. That's good baseball.
You learn to do that in little league.
__________________________Antagonizing TCR posters with my my "assinine" "socialist drivel" and my signatures since 2003.
#16 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Yeah, I served my time in Little League, and it may be legal, but still cheap IMO.
__________________________Go Cubs!
#30 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Saw the replay last night -- Theriot just dropped the ball.
#31 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Self-reply -- I see this has already been covered below.
#33 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
I don't think it was cheap or dirty, but he made no effort to get to the bag until after he took out The Riot. Interpretively, the ump could've called interference. It's not called very often, of course, but...
__________________________Voting for non-Americans since 2008.
#35 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
I think if the slide had caused the drop, or a bad thorw -- maybe. But, Theriot dropped the ball before the runner slid into him. Just a human error on a rushed play.
#12 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Yeah, it was a DP play ball - they could've turned two quite easily. Oh well.....
#17 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Losing sucks. I'm not used to it this year yet.
__________________________Losing sucks
#18 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
I don't think it was cheap at all - but if you're looking for a comparison, take a look at the DP ball last year vs. Atlanta, where Renteria slid into Fontenot and sucker - punched him at the same time.
That play was both dirty and cheap, and Renteria knew it, since he suddenly was taken out of the game with a mysterious injury. He never saw the Cubs again that year, he was lucky.
#19 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
I'll come right out and say it:
Ryan Theriot lost that game for the Cubs.
I am not kidding when I say:
He shouldn't have swung the bat. Not once. Not with the best hitter on the team right behind you. Just like Brenly says, if you think you're going to hit into a double play, strike out.
I was screaming for the suicide squeeze. Screaming. But Lou didn't hear.
Go on and tell me about the fluky play and how he hit it well, just at Todd Helton and I'll tell you he didn't have shit on that ball and was way late on a tired fast ball. FU Ryan Theriot you F'ing suck.
__________________________"I will ruin this house with my anger!" - Master Shake
#29 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
wow, that was over the top....
if he was a split second earlier and lined it to the third basemen it would have been okay? Gameday says the fastball was at 92 fwiw, same as Cook was throwing in the first inning.
the defensive botch was the big fuck up...
#38 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
92 is not that fast at the major league level. He was overmatched. And he wasn't going to get around on it. I hate that guy.
__________________________"I will ruin this house with my anger!" - Master Shake
#39 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
point being it wasn't a tired fastball, it's what Cook normally throws. And sinking fastballs at 92, which is what Cook throws (and Z) is really good.
Your just bitching about it because it was Theriot.
#20 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
I was screaming too, but Lou wanted the win, not the tie.
#21 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
No, 1 out tie game already. Pie on third.
I wanted Fonty to suicide also but he at least got the run home.
__________________________"I will ruin this house with my anger!" - Master Shake
#22 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Chad -
But how do you really feel?
#23 for those who have never seen a minor league game...
if you check out the TOR@TB game you'll see one.
not the players...the fans...the "feel" of the place.
they're playing in disney world and wow...i think ive seen "the wave" about 20 times (literally)...tons of people on cell phones waving at the camera...general discussion between people in large numbers compared to people watching the game...and cheering/screaming at *EVERYTHING*.
very minor league feel to this game. almost creepy.
#24 Re: for those who have never seen a minor league game...
got to give it up to this casual audience.
also kinda like a minor league game, but nonetheless cool and not seen as much as MLB games, ive seen 2 adult fans who have caught a homer/foul only to give the ball to a kid.
if 2 have made it on camera there's probably a lot more that didn't.
-edit-
make that 3...little girl just got a freebie from a guy who got a ball deflected off overbay's glove.
#25 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
I didn't think the slide into Theriot was cheap nor was he that far off the bag. He was just hurrying because the ball had been hit slowly to Cedeno and he never really caught it. Bonehead play due to lack of concentration. The slide didn't help but he had already dropped the ball by the time he fell over the runner.
__________________________tbone
#26 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Yes, I did over-react with my earlier comments about the slide being cheap. I was just dissappointed to see the losing streak come to an end, and I needed someone to blame it on besides the Cubs themselves :D
__________________________Go Cubs!
#27 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
" I was just dissappointed to see the losing streak come to an end"
Freudian?
__________________________"I will ruin this house with my anger!" - Master Shake
#28 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
ooops.....
No, just a typo :)
__________________________Go Cubs!
#34 Pie
Do we think Pie's recent success is due to a change in approach, nature talent or just that he was bound to get a some hits.
__________________________That's great in practice, but how about in theory?
#36 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Yeah, I'm not saying The Riot dropped it because of the slide. No excuses there.
But the slide was pretty blatant. IMHO; if he had stuck his left arm out toward the bag while doing it, it wouldn't even be worth discussing. I think Pierzynski was called for interference on a slide like that last year or the year before. It's rare.
__________________________Voting for non-Americans since 2008.
#37 Re: Game 22 Thread / Cubs @ Rockies (2 of 2)
Felix is 5 for his last 10!
Unfortunatley, we have seen most young Cub players that come up don't hit if they don't play regularly -- Murton and Fontenot in particular -- which should not be a surprise. How can you adjust to MLB pitching if you rarely see it?
Alas -- the Nats are starting a trio of lefties, so Felix heads back to the bench.