What Happens In Vegas BETTER Stay In Vegas, and Open Thread: Cubs vs. Mariners, Saturday 3/29, 2:05 CT

by Al on Mar 29, 2008 8:00 AM CDT in Recap/Game Thread

All you need to know about last night's 10-2 Cubs loss to the Mariners is contained in this note from the above link:

Raul Ibanez added a line-drive, two-run shot barely missing an inflated cow atop the right-field fence.

That's not all that happened last night, of course (Seattle hitters pounded five other HR off Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis, and in less baseball-related news, Kosuke Fukudome was photographed next to a Las Vegas showgirl, looking extremely uncomfortable), but that note made me laugh, as did the HR itself when I saw it, which was just about the last thing I saw before going to sleep to get up for work this morning. Good thing, too.

Let's hope that what Marquis and Lilly did DOES "stay in Vegas", as the saying goes, because that's not a good sign if it doesn't. The only other Cub who pitched last night, Kevin Hart, threw a quiet scoreless inning. The linked article also says:

Manager Lou Piniella expects to use all of his bullpen over the two days in Las Vegas.

Matt Murton may be traded before tomorrow. Or not:

The Cubs don't want to rush the process, in part to make sure they get the best deal possible but also because an injury in one of the two exhibition games in Las Vegas could create a need for Murton on the roster.

Gordon Wittenmyer writes that Lou says both Sean Marshall and Carmen Pignatiello will pitch today, and I would also expect Kerry Wood to throw an inning. Meanwhile, remember Michael Wuertz? Quietly, he's had the best spring on the staff, throwing nine innings, allowing five hits and no runs, with no walks and 13 strikeouts. Lou, for his part, spent some down time "using some of the casino services:

Were the services kind to him? "The casino services were cooperative," replied Piniella, who likes to play the ponies at the sports book.

Ryan Dempster starts today against Seattle's Jarrod Washburn. The Cubs will be the "away" team today and bat first. As last night, there's radio in Chicago (WGN) and Seattle (KOMO), TV on WGN-TV and also MLB Audio and MLB.TV via MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Lilly never established his curve last night

and it was obvious he was just getting his pitches in and threw primarily fastball and change, wwith a couple cutters. No harm.

Marquis on the other hand, couldn't keep any of his pitches down which is bad and bad.

Therioot sucked dubiously Hart was very impressive.

by lemon20pie on Mar 29, 2008 8:27 AM CDT 0 recs

So what is exactly the rotation?

Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Hill, and Marquis?

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Mar 29, 2008 8:45 AM CDT 0 recs

unfortunately

yes.

by lemon20pie on Mar 29, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

I actually

talked my wife into watching the game last night. For us it was a 10:20p start here in MI. Jeez....Lilly, Marquis, TheRiot (who I love, but gack!) really made me fear for the year. It's only one exhibition game, I know. But it was only the second or third game I've seen so far this year, in its entirety. I hope to not see too many more like it.

"Just because you've had enough/ doesn't mean you wanted too much." -Dean Young

by Kegler on Mar 29, 2008 9:03 AM CDT 0 recs

They

played that game like they were in a hurry to get to the blackjack tables. Lilly threw mostly fast balls and the hitters were swinging early in the count.

Fukudome did looked embarassed.

by Rick B. on Mar 29, 2008 9:35 AM CDT 0 recs

I wanna see this pic, but...

I don't think a search for "fukudome" and "showgirl" would turn up anything safe for viewing here at work.

"These are the saddest of possible words: Tinker to Evers to Chance."

by bluebythebook on Mar 29, 2008 10:46 AM CDT up 0 recs

I hate that apartments at school

don't get WGN. The dorms do, but for some reason, apartments do not. I wish I was a freshman again.

"We are going to light up the SB Nation server farm like a Christmas tree." - cwyers

by NittanyCub on Mar 29, 2008 9:38 AM CDT 0 recs

Let's hope

this afternoon is better than last evening was for them. Yuck!!

by sue369 on Mar 29, 2008 10:20 AM CDT 0 recs

Ouch!

That game hurt last night ... and Marquis was being--once again--himself all over the place. Nice homer by Soriano; bonehead play from Cedeno; Lilly wasn't doing himself any favours, either.

Hope the Cubbies can pull their collective crap together and fashion a well deserved blue "W" today.

LRRF

GEAUX THERIOT!

by Little Rock Ryno Fan on Mar 29, 2008 10:26 AM CDT 0 recs

And BTW ...

Trading Murton? Before tomorrow? What is Sue going to do? Yikes!

GEAUX THERIOT!

by Little Rock Ryno Fan on Mar 29, 2008 10:28 AM CDT 0 recs

That might need a new name that would be worse than

Cedeno on her scale!

by LT on Mar 29, 2008 10:44 AM CDT up 0 recs

Actually I hope

he does get traded to a team that will use him. He deserves to play.

by sue369 on Mar 29, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

In Vegas yesterday.

Twelve runs scored in a short 2 hour, 7 minute game? Something wasn't right here last night.

Cub fans, as expected, outnumbered Seattle fans 4-5 to 1, maybe more. On the park itself, since there is only a small, outfield grass area, the small fans ran wild in the reserved seats, with lots of restroom breaks. The concession lines were outragous. The lines for condiments was longer than the bathroom lines. Guess they don't get many sold-out games here.
And as you may have heard before, after the game, the cabs can't come quick enough. Visitors here don't have rental cars, so there are thousands looking for cabs at the same time. You might want to do this once, then book your trip next year to mesa.
Of course, we'll be there again today. Hopefully the cubs can get their hitting on the right track!

by gp1966 on Mar 29, 2008 11:28 AM CDT 0 recs

Alfonso, Derrek, Aramis, Kosuke and friends...

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 29, 2008 11:43 AM CDT 1 recs

FWIW...

... the guy in the middle is Oscar Goodman, the mayor of Las Vegas.

You were looking right in the center of the photo, right?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 29, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

thanks!

Kosuke does look a little... uncomfortable.

"These are the saddest of possible words: Tinker to Evers to Chance."

by bluebythebook on Mar 29, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think

the one in the green is taking Andro. Nice to see they had one in Cubbie Blue!

"To know that I know what I know, and that I do not know what I do not know. That is true knowledge" - Confucious as quoted in Walden

by toaster on Mar 29, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

maybe he's uncomfortable because he's holding his bat on the wrong shoulder...

by anormal on Mar 29, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ok, I'm officially worried about Soriano...

Aramis and Dome both have their bats in the proper upright position, given their, ahem, 'surroundings', yet Soriano's bat is just hanging there. And he's next to the one in Cubbie blue!

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 29, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

LMAO

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 29, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Anyone in Vegas..

Let the players know their cars are safely in the players lot at Wrigley. Two transports arrived yesterday and unloaded their cars. Still TONS of work being done to get ready for Monday.

"To know that I know what I know, and that I do not know what I do not know. That is true knowledge" - Confucious as quoted in Walden

by toaster on Mar 29, 2008 12:42 PM CDT 0 recs

What a mess last night.

At least it was fun for the fans in attendance. I'd rather see a HRfest than a pitching duel. Thats just me though.
The title here says it all.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 1:10 PM CDT 0 recs

Fantasy lineup..

any suggestions?

C McCann
1B Garko
2B Pedoria
SS. Tulo
3B Aramis
LF Soriano
CF C. Young
RF A. Rios
OF Hawpe
UT J. Upton
Bench Felix Pie

Rotation

Peavy
Sabathia
Rich Hill
Wainwright
Jared Weaver
Phil Hughes
Joba Chamberlain
Carlos Marmol
D-Train

and Brad Lidge on the DL

I'm trying to trade for D-Lee .. for Joey Votto, Garko, and Lidge. Any suggestions?

by Unique on Mar 29, 2008 1:20 PM CDT 0 recs

if possible

I think I'd drop Marmol for Wood at the moment, for Wood will get you more points with saves. Rotation is great and if you could do that trade I would

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Mar 29, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

48 hours and counting...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 29, 2008 1:23 PM CDT 0 recs

you

going inside Monday?

"To know that I know what I know, and that I do not know what I do not know. That is true knowledge" - Confucious as quoted in Walden

by toaster on Mar 29, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

Depends on which way the wind is blowing

If that predicted 10-15 mph wind is out of the Southeast, I might be looking up at the back of Al's head the whole game. But if it's out of the Northeast, I'll probably go inside and look at the back of Braun's big head half the game. Assuming of course, I can score a bleacher.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 29, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

I cant guarantee

but as of right now we have a 4th bleacher ticket. I dotn want to get your hopes up. But if you see the #9 Hobbs jersey outside the stadium Monday come up and ask if we still have it.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

Fair enough. That's the beauty of ballhawking...

If I don't go in, I'm just as happy hanging out on the corner. Sometimes happier.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 29, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah...

I just put up on CL a "want one bleacher for face only" ad. we'll see what happens. Look forward to seeing you either way.

"To know that I know what I know, and that I do not know what I do not know. That is true knowledge" - Confucious as quoted in Walden

by toaster on Mar 29, 2008 2:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

Waiting for the

game to start on WGN and just caught the "Twist & Shout" scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I love that scene.

by sue369 on Mar 29, 2008 1:28 PM CDT 0 recs

Just

caught the end of Soul Train haha

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 1:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

wow, soriano's batting 5th today!

by anormal on Mar 29, 2008 1:44 PM CDT 0 recs

and Johnson batting lead off!

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Mar 29, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Johnson leading off against LH pitching is a good thing.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 29, 2008 2:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Full lineups

Cubs
Johnson, cf
Fukudome, rf
Lee, 1b
Ramirez, 3b
Soriano, lf
DeRosa, 2b
Soto, dh
Blanco, c
Cedeno, ss

Dempster, p

Mariners
Suzuki, cf
Lopez, 2b
Ibanez, lf
Sexson, 1b
Beltre, 3b
Wilkerson, rf
Vidro, dh
Johjima, c
Betancourt,ss

Washburn, p

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 29, 2008 1:48 PM CDT 0 recs

well

I just pray that we DON'T see that lineup ever again

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Mar 29, 2008 1:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

As do I

The second Magnum P.I. is over I'm switching to the game.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

Why?

I think it isn't bad.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 29, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

Becuase

if Johnson is leading off that means Pie didnt work out

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 1:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

...or it just means we are facing a left-handed pitcher.

by anormal on Mar 29, 2008 1:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

Then

put Dome in center and Murt...........oh, wait.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

We been though this that was never going to happen, Fukudome doesn't want to play CF that much.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 29, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

It

was a Murton joke. Sorry.
And I'm sure he'd play a game or 2 there if asked....wouldnt he?

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah

he would play a game or two here and there, but not over a fullseason every week. That would mean some weeks he might be starting 3-4 times in CF and Murton in RF. Thats why the Cubs had to go out and get somebody.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 29, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Murton

is long gone.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Murton

I'm a big fan as well I just hope we get somebody with good potential in return. I'll be rooting for Murton on another team, as long he doesn't hurt the Cubs.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 29, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pie

isn't going to play against alot of LH pitchers. Reed Johnson has a career 370 OBP against LH pitchers, and a 380 and 422 OBP against LH pitchers the last two years. It's very very very smart have him leadoff against LH pitchers. The top 6 in the line-up is really good, I wish Fukudome was second and Soriano was 5th against all pitchers.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 29, 2008 1:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Whatever works for the win.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

Why

Hows the line-up bad? I like it alot better then our opening day line-up we got a bunch of OBP at the top and our three best hitters in the middle.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 29, 2008 2:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

ok ok ok

against a LHP this lineup is stout

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

But I'd

rather see Dome and Soriano flip-flopped until Dome gets a little more consistant at the plate

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

nevermind, lol

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Mar 29, 2008 2:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

my opinions are 97% wrong.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 2:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

And The Other 3%...

...may not be right?

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 29, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

the other 3%

is when i'm drunk and cant remember what I said. I give myself the benifit in that case.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 29, 2008 2:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

MLB.TV woe

Looks like they no longer offer the old mediaplayer. The new one, as previously established, is no good. Lots of buffering and jerky pictures. If it aint broke.....arrgghhh

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Mar 29, 2008 1:52 PM CDT 0 recs