Cari-DOH!

Nearly 7 innings of great baseball from the pitching and defense, ruined in 4 batters. That was a debacle deep-fried in a disaster served with a chaser of Cubbery. 

20/20 Hindsight: After 6 innings of one run ball, 71 pitches and retiring 14 of 16 since the 2nd inning, Lou lifts Carlos Silva. Silva apparently did have some right shoulder tightness. Fair enough.  Lou replaces him with another sinker baller in Justin Berg, who takes 7 pitches to get through the 7th. I think it's safe to say the Reds weren't handling the sinker too good by this point. Lou even double switched Marlon Byrd so the pitcher's spot in the lineup wouldn't come up in the top of the 8th. Naturally, you still must replace Berg because he worked an entire inning. He cannot possbly handle the rigors of sitting on the bench for 10 minutes to face the bottom of the lineup after retiring the Reds 4-5-6 hitters. Not when such bullpen lynchpins like Esmailin Caridad and John Grabow can be called upon. Lou goes with Caridad, working for the third straight day and Caridad takes Gomes 0-2 and then loses him on a walk. He does the same with Ramon Hernandez(hint to Lou that he might not have it tonight) and then him and Ramirez get confused on how to take an out when the other team gives it to you, followed by throwing a pitch up and over the plate when Koyie sets-up low and inside on Drew Stubbs. Game over.

This idea of defined roles in the bullpen is neat and all, when you actually have players worth defining. The Cubs have Marmol to close and 6 other guys. Play the match-ups and ride the hot hand. Nobody in that pen besides Marmol is deserving of the benefit of the doubt or entitled to any set role at the moment.

The Good: Carlos Silva was...um...brilliant! Who expected that? The defense did make some fine plays behind him. Ryan Theriot is off the schnide. Mike Fontenot goes 4/5.

Minor League Watch: Jay Jackson got the start for Iowa and goes 5 innings, but gives up 3 runs on 2 home runs. He does strike out 4. Hoffpauir and Dubois go deep in the 5-2 loss. John Gaub gives up 2 runs in an inning of work. At AA, Tony Campana goes 3/4 with a BB and 2 stolen bases out of the leadoff spot and Brandon Guyer goes 2/4 with 2 SB's. Castro goes 1/5. On the pitching side, Ryan Buchter strikes out the side in his inning of work and Jake Muyco picks up the save as Tennessee wins 5-4. Vitters, LeMahieu and Burke each go 1/4 for Daytona with Vitters making an error and getting picked off. Chris Rusin gets tagged for 6 runs in 4 innings in a 7-0 loss. I don't believe Daytona has an extra base hit yet. Jose Valdez goes 3/4 with 2 SB's, plus getting caught once and getting picked off after going 2/4 on Opening night. Peoria loses 5-4 though, although Jeff Antigua strikes out 5 in 5 innings, giving up 2 runs.

Next Up: Z tries to redeem himself against Aaron Harang.

Tags: 
Cubs Game Recaps
Esmailin Caridad
Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 2:40am
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Comments

Submitted by Jumbo
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 5:03am

On the bright side, this will keep Marmol from being overused.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 7:33am

I'm already in assume-the-worst mode. Silva looked extremely uncomfortable after throwing one of those pitches to Votto. Expecting to learn today or tomorrow that there is problem beyond tightness in the shoulder. Hell of an effort by him last night, however.

Also wondering if Ricketts's recent declaration that Lou's fate is squarely in Hendry's hands would make Hendry more or less likely to replace him if the Cubs get off to a dismal start.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 7:42am

I thought it looked on TV like he was a little ticked when Larry came and told him he was coming out. And he told the paper he was fine:

"His shoulder stiffened," Piniella said and then repeated twice.

When asked how his shoulder was, Silva replied: "Good. I was ready to go out. They took me out. I was ready to go out."

He added that the only time he felt stiffness was when he tried to field a groundball earlier in the game and fell to the ground.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 7:37am

your 2010 Chicago Cubs...doh!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XKbxRgHfHsw/RZLCmOM...

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 8:48am

Actually, Homer was pitching for the other team last night.

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 7:38am

That homerun must have been so bittersweet for dusty.
He got the hr, but the damn bases were clogged.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 7:39am

Not only was it clear Caridad didn't have it, but he was throwing a tantrum out there on the mound. And from what I saw, the pitches he was complaining about WERE balls. Gameday shows the same thing, all of his strikes were called strikes (or hit) and all of his balls called balls:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=...

Then today the newspaper has this:

Caridad seemed to blame home-plate umpire Doug Eddings.
"He didn't call strikes," Caridad said. "I throw a strike, and he doesn't call it a strike. I don't know why."

Yep, all Eddings fault. Keep telling yourself that...

Submitted by Mike Vail
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 8:26am

It's always a good idea to piss off or alienate the umpires when you're just starting off in the bigs. This where Maddux could be useful in tutoring the youngsters on the fine art of patronizing the umps.

The Reds did everything they could to try and give us this game.

This bullpen will be the epitaph of the 2010 team unless changes are made early enough. Disappointing...but predictable. Let's get a win today.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:18am

well that shows some real composure out of your set-up man...

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 7:41am

note Rob's pic of Caridad has an "I" on his hat

Smiley soon to be wearing it again when Jeff Gray is ready

http://backstop.iowacubs.com/01-02003.html

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 10:21am

Not sure Caridad will be the first to leave. He is an 8th-inning reliever, after all. Berg pitched the 7th. When does Samardzija come in, when the starter gets knocked out in the 3rd?

It's less demoralizing to have a young guy blow a save than an older guy like Gregg, who isn't going to get better.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:22am

If taking out Berg was necessary, Samardzija would've been a reasonable choice, given how poorly the Reds had done against Silva and Berg. Samardzija would've been basically more of the same, and he hasn't pitched since Monday. He does seem to be our long reliever at the moment (since Marshall has been so dominant and pitched himself into a high stakes role).

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:22am

why was taking out Berg necessary? he threw 7 pitches, that's not even an warm-up.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:31am

I don't think it was. I think Lou forgot that he'd used Caridad two days in a row, and he forgot that pitchers can go more than one inning when they are pitching well.

Have I mentioned that I think Lou is dumb or at least doesn't put that much energy into managing?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:19am

I know feel better after that loss than when Grabow blew it.

Nope, not all.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 8:52am

Everything is all screwy, Theriot is not hitting much, but playing brilliant D. Fontenot is hitting. All very silly.

I'm thinking "Caribad" for a nickname, but it's almost too obvious. I'm not real pleased with it. Any other good nicknames we could use for him?

Submitted by Jumbo
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 1:48pm

S-"mail in"...Is Mile Long...Hairy Nads?
That's all I got

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 10:23am

I'm not very optimistic about this team and wasn't even though they had a decent spring training record. They're pretty weak up the middle (although Theriot seems to have discovered his inner Castro), which is never good, they don't have the explosive offense that can quickly turn a game around, and they really pretty much appear to have almost no viable relief pitching other than Marshall and Marmol. And even Marmol reminds me too much of The Wild Thing sometimes, although he's got better stuff and could be a really dominant reliever if he could harness it completely.

That said, if they can manage a nice little 2 game winning streak they go home with a .500 road trip.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 10:55am

The lineup is less than awe-inspiring to begin with, but they've also underperformed this week. You're not likely to score many runs when your leadoff hitter has a .118 OBP and your number 3 hitter isn't doing much with the bad (Lee really didn't get on the board until last night). Meanwhile, our #5 hitter does have 2 homeruns, but they are his only two hits, and the guy behind him is Soriano.

Most of these guys are going to put up better overall numbers than they have right now (except Lee, whose OPS looks good after last night's game). We've got a lot more guys underperforming this week than overperforming (Fontenot? Nady?), so the losses shouldn't be surprising. The bullpen is worrisome, but I expect to see guys like Cashner, Grey, Stephens, Schlitter, and Patton mixed and matched in there until they find the most effective bunch (I'd still prefer that to trading for any overpriced relievers). I also wonder whether Silva or Gorzo could be dependable out of the pen, since Lilly should be back soon.

And did anyone else think what Len and Bob had to say about Soto sitting on the bench last night was ridiculous? Soto has to hit or he'll be replaced by Hill because he can't perform as poorly as last year and stay in the lineup? Did anyone mention his .240-ish BABIP to Lou last year? Does everybody else have the same deal? Riot's not hitting either, right now--will he be replaced by Castro on Monday if he doesn't get his average up to .300 this weekend?

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:12am

I didn't hear what Len and Bob said but today Lou was quoted, "Look, let's just leave it that we need Soto to swing the bat, and we'll leave it at that," he said.

Lou overall seems impatient this year -- he already seems ready to give up on Grabow as a set up man, probably not a bad thing, just sayin'.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 3:34pm

Lou is impatient for a good reason. He's fighting for his job, he's going to make other people, including rich pampered free agents, fight for theirs.

I like this competition stuff. Theriot/Castro, Piniella/Sandberg, Soto/Hill, Mesa/Naples, Fukudome/Nady, Soriano/Colvin. Only good can come of this.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 8:07pm

Lou is impatient for a good reason... I like this competition stuff... Only good can come of this.

Impatience rarely leads to good decisions. So some bad can come of this "competition" if Lou is impatient.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:03am

SS Theriot, RF Fukudome, 1B Lee, 3B Ramirez, CF Byrd, LF Soriano, 2B Fontenot, C Soto, P Zambrano

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:19am

With Nady apparently ready to play the OF (sort of--he didn't look all that good in RF last night), Colvin isn't going to get all that much playing time. Lou isn't going to rotate two outfielders in there that much. Nady gets the start last night, so Lou won't play Colvin today--doesn't want to sit Fukudome two games in a row. Might be time soon to send Colvin back to AAA so he can get his ABs and Adduci or Fuld can begin their 5th outfielder careers.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 04/12/2010 - 8:29am

Wow..it's been a week. Patience, is a virtue.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:40am

Z's ERA is exactly 10 times higher than Harang's, and Harang's ain't exactly pretty.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 12:35pm

soriano for gold glove...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 12:37pm

Soriano still can't play left field

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 12:50pm

Colvin catches that ball. Just sayin'.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 1:04pm

so does MikeC probably...

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 2:46pm

haha

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 1:19pm

Colvin hits that homerun twice. Just sayin'.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 2:17pm

Time for Grabow to kick us in the nads.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 2:44pm

woo etc.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 2:45pm

Marmol had a wicked slider today. Nice to get in the win column for Z.

Also interesting that Lou went all defense in the bottom 9th, including Hill for Soto and Colvin for Soriano.

I wonder if he'll do the Hill switch with any regularity?

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 2:47pm

11 sliders, 2 fastballs...he's relying very heavy on it early this year.

at least 1 of the 2 fastballs he threw he had control over.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 4:26pm

crunch: if someone can hit one of his sliders, then he is fighting strong odds.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 4:42pm

unpossible, Koyie Hill was catching, he doesn't call sliders

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 4:44pm

If he were to call fastballs, Marmol would be throwing 100 MPH, it just wouldn't be fair.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 3:48pm

Hill caught Marmol eleven out thirteen appearances last September. In three of those, Hill came off the bench to "relieve" Soto. It's why I thought the Cubs needed a third catcher--there's nobody behind Hill when he comes in to "close." Last year they had Fox.

In any case, it's a tough situation for Soto, being first-string but playing second fiddle. What other first-string catcher comes out when the closer comes in?

I hope Soto bounces back, and he probably will, but I don't think his future with this team is long term.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 3:57pm

Is Jeff Baker the emergency catcher? Fontenot? Marmol?

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 4:04pm

add Randy Wells to the emergency catcher list

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 2:51pm

Today's fun fact:

Cubs Left on Base: 0

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 2:53pm

Frank Thomas blame the Sox loss on the early start today and extra inning game the night before.

Which the Twins, who won today, were in last night also.

Keep up the good work, big skirt.

Submitted by Wes
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 2:58pm

I'll blame it on countering the Twins ace with Freddy Garcia. I don't care how many innings they played last night, that dog just ain't gonna hunt.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 4:46pm

Twins started Mauer at catcher this morning after last night's game as well...guess they're not messing around early.

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 6:35pm

mauer only ph last night

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 3:14pm

nice! 2-3

But more importantly, at the moment Milton Bradley is 1/19 with one home run his only hit, same as last year but worse, he's struck out 8 times.

And, oh, the irony, he's been dropped to fifth in the order.

And...was accused by Ranger fans of giving them the finger yesterday.

Submitted by Wes
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 3:20pm

Justifibly accused.

http://larrybrownsports.com/baseball/milton-b...

Submitted by Sonicwind75
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 3:21pm

And just butchered a ball hit to him in left field.

Submitted by Ryno
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 3:58pm

Milton Bradley can go on to win the MVP, triple crown, and cy young for all I care.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 3:59pm

"nice! 2-3

But more importantly..."

really? =p

Submitted by The E-Man
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 4:27pm

why is that so important to NAV? Tim Wilken didn't draft him.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 4:46pm

yeah, more important than a win is how Milton Bradley is doing in the AL.

of all the stupid things that have been said in the comments.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 4:52pm

a you-know-what through 7 against the Rays

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 4:57pm

7.2 ip, first batter hit one off Sabathia's hand but Cano got him.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 4:58pm

and a single by Shoppach to left....

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 5:06pm

no-no no-mo, shoppach single

Twins started Mauer at catcher this morning after last night's game as well.
----
Mauer didn't start last night, he came into the game as a ph for Butera in the 11th and walked and scored the winning run (now that's how legends are made)

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 5:20pm

whoops...I turned the game on late and just assumed he started.

Well that does make more sense.

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 6:37pm

and I need to read the whole comment thread b4 I make a comment

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:43pm

from Paul Sullivan on sunday...Cari-bad just might be the umpire's nickname for him:

As for Caridad, Piniella had to explain to the rookie that it's not in his best interest to accuse the umpire of squeezing him on the two walks that led to the Drew Stubbs' game-winning grand slam. Umpires don't take kindly to rookies questioning their strike zones in the media.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball...

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/10/2010 - 11:47pm

more Sullivan...Marmol's now the wise veteran.

Marmol has only three-plus years of big league experience, but he spent Saturday morning counseling Esmailin Caridad after the rookie blew Friday night's game. It was his first big failure as a big leaguer, and Marmol played the role of a wise veteran.

"He learned from that," Marmol said. "We learn from our mistakes. We have tomorrow. He needs to forget stuff."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball...

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