Some nights the Cubs really upset me, last night was one of those nights. First, they wasted yet another strong outing from Randy Wells: 7IP, 2ER, 8H, 7K. Wells actually got better as the game went on, his record is a tough luck 0-2 on the season. Wells just simply got out pitched by the wily-veteran and Cub killer, Randy Wolf, who pitched into the 8th inning, and was removed only after allowing his first run. Aaron Heilman pitched a perfect 8th inning. And Jose Ascanio pitched into a jam in the 9th, only to have Angel Guzman come in and bail him out. Guzman is becoming quite the story, his ERA is down to 2.95, after a shaky start to the season. He has become a solid set-up man. Hopefully Lou Piniella realizes this and stops using Heilman when were ahead late in games. Back to Wells for a second, I do not care what his record is, but once Rich Harden comes back, Wells stays in the rotation. He is a gamer, throws strikes, and can go deep into games, something Sean Marshall has been unable to do.
The Cubs hit the baseball last night, they had nine hits, which was one more than the Dodgers. Unfortunately the Cubs did not have any timely hits. The only run the Cubs got was a solo-HR by Bobby Scales in the 8th, when he pinch-hit for Mike Fontenot. I am happy for Scales who just got called up again from Iowa a day after he was sent down, he does not take anything for granted, and is making the most of his opportunities in the big leagues. Derrek Lee also had a fine game going 2-4 2B, he also had a single in the 9th. The Cubs had their chances in the 9th inning against relief pitcher, Ramon Troncoso, Milton Bradley got things going with a surprise bunt single that dropped in between the Troncoso and Orlando Hudson, it was a nice heads-up play by Bradley. Lee then followed with a single. Reed Johnson then advanced both runners with a ground-out. Geovany Soto was intentionally walked to load the bases. Unfortunately neither Scales nor Jake Fox (who did have a hit earlier in the game) could get the job done and the Cubs lost the game. Fox also saw action at third base and almost started a double play in the 9th inning. I would like to see more of him at third, because of his bat, and when the Cubs are facing a left-handed starter.
Three things really upset me in this game:
1) The Cubs grounded into FOUR double plays! Ryan Theriot grounded into two! He is too fast to be doing this. Bradley and Soto were responsible for the other two. The Cubs ended 3 innings with double plays, I believe they were the 6th, 7th, and 8th. The double plays squandered multiple scoring opportunities last night.
2) Juan Pierre getting two hits, also not acceptable. Pierre got things going early and was a pest on the bases, he scored the games first run. Pierre beat out a throw by Andres Blanco that would have gotten any other player out, it was a fine play by Blanco to even get to that ball. While I am on Blanco, how about we keep this kid around for the rest of the season, he can really flash some leather. He has not shown that he is much of a hitter, but his fielding alone makes him more valuable than Aaron Miles.
3) Dodgers' Catcher, Russel Martin's dirty slide into Cubs second-baseman Bobby Scales in the 9th. I am all about hustle, but this was a dirty play. Martin went to the inside part of the bag and slid into Scales, but he did not stop there. He continued to whip his legs around Scales' (Scales was a few feet behind the base mind you) and trip Scales. The Cubs better retaliate today, because this B.S. is not cool. It just so happens the Cubs have the perfect guy starting today to plunk this fat bastard, my man Ted Lilly. Bank on it, Martin will get plunked.
The Cubs and Dodgers play today at 1:20 with Ted Lilly (5-4, 3.77 ERA) vs Chad Billingsley (6-2, 2.82 ERA). From what I have heard, Billingsley has been very good this season, and dominant at times. The Cubs will have their work cut out for them today.
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