The LaTroy Hawkins Experience

The Cubs come back in dramatic fashion with four runs in the eighth with the entire rally starting with two outs - taking a second straight from the Brewers. I don't know what the joke is, but the punch line was once again LaTroy Hawkins.

The Good: Oh...so much. Randy Wells struck out the side to start the game and then struck out Weeks, Hart and Braun again the second time he faced them. He ended up with 7 K's on the day against just one walk, although he did give up 10 hits (just 2 for extra bases). Geovany Soto only manages a hit, but it's a home run along with 2 walks. Ryan Theriot has to be your player of the game....4/5 with the clutch 2-out, 2-RBI single in the 8th and then steals second base to set-up Fukudome's heroics. He also nailed Fielder at the plate in the second inning with the infield drawn in. Speaking of that 8th, the entire rally started with 2 outs. Byrd grounds out against Hawkins, then Chad Tracy K's. Jeff Baker singles though, Soto and Colvin work walks, the Theriot single, a clutch SB and then Mr. April with the single for the win. Marmol mows down the middle of the Brewers order with a 1-run lead...nailing down the 'tough' save.

The Bad: Jeff Gray gives up back-to-back triples in his first outing and two runs. He does end up with the vulture win. The Parachat crowd suggested there was some bad luck/sloppy defense involved though. Soriano makes another error and doesn't play a ball off the wall properly. Wells walked the pitcher with two outs in the 5th and then gave up his first two runs of the season when Weeks doubled in his third at-bat (and took third on Soriano's error).

Dare I Question Lou?: After the Brewers make it 4-2, Lou goes to Justin Berg to face Ryan Braun and he gets a ground-out, moving Corey Hart to third base. With first base open and Prince Fielder due up and righty Casey McGehee on-deck, I expected an intentional walk to Fielder. Lou went to James Russell instead, who dismissed Fielder easily on Monday and went after Fielder again. It worked, but how often can you play chicken with a 300-lb vegetarian and expect to win?