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Ka-BOOM! -- Cubs 3, Rays 8

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in Recaps

This recap is going to be mercifully short, because that's about all the space it deserves.

The Cubs lost 8-3 to the Rays last night after Sean Gallagher had thrown six very good innings, allowing only one unearned run. And what's up with that? The run was unearned because Derrek Lee couldn't handle a ground ball that he could normally field in his sleep.

I'm worried about D-Lee. He doesn't look himself either in the field or at bat.

Carlos Marmol wasn't himself last night -- he threw only seven strikes out of twenty pitches and two of those non-strikes hit batters. He had hit two batters in 43 innings (162 batters faced) before last night; now he's doubled that total by facing four hitters. Scott Eyre put the game away by allowing the grand slam to Carl Crawford, and then giving up three more hard-hit extra-base hits. During all of that Eric Hinske stole third base.

Ugh. This is getting nasty and I may have to clean off my keyboard after typing all of this. Suffice to say that the Cubs have now lost nine straight games in the state of Florida (this series, three last September to the Marlins, and three in May 2006 to the Marlins) -- this does not bode well for the Marlins series coming up next month -- and they should be glad to say goodbye to artificial turf for this season.

That said, this was not the pushover (Devil) Rays team of the past, even the one managed by Lou Piniella to its up-to-now best record ever in 2004, 70 wins. This Tampa team has already broken the franchise record for wins before the All-Star break -- nearly a month before the All-Star break. Just as the Cubs have been terrific at home (29-8), so have the Rays (29-11). They have swept two other first-place teams in their goofy dome: the Red Sox in April and the Angels in May.

Feel better now? You should. The Cubs will be home in just a few hours to play the White Sox, in a series that, perhaps for the first time since interleague play began, has real meaning, real playoff implications. The game thread will be up in about three hours. To transition from this post to that series, here are Mike's thoughts:

It's a joke!

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Well,

time to put this behind us but I’m really worried about the night game/day game long flight home. The Sox just have to drive across town. We looked a little tired and that may be DLee’s problem. We haven’t been on the road that much and this goofy trip through Cooperstown had to tire out the players. I’m hoping for 2 of 3 this weekend.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jun 20, 2008 8:21 AM CDT   0 recs

Maybe the short turnaround...

... will allow the Cubs to quickly forget the debacle by the bay and win this series.

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

by Al on Jun 20, 2008 8:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It has to be a good feeling

as a player to get right back out there, in the comfort of your own home, and do something to get back on track. I hope they go out there like men on a mission. I want to go home from work happy today!!!

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Jun 20, 2008 8:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

iblamethefamegame.com?

"Let's not get too giggly." ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jun 20, 2008 8:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

:-)

"Let's not get too giggly." ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jun 20, 2008 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

With that out of the way...

Swept by a good team, on the road, playing AL rules down a top bat. It happens. The window is closed and I can’t even see the ledge from here.

Time to make hay while the Sox bats of Thome/Konerko are benched and Dye’s, Swisher’s & Quentin’s are napping. So the White Sox swept Pittsburgh, doesn’t everyone these days? Here’s hoping we see the hittable White Sox pitchers, rather than those with “no-hitter” stuff.

by N Oakley on Jun 20, 2008 8:21 AM CDT   0 recs

0-3 in games attended

Once I found the schedule had the Cubs coming to my backyard I collected the series and couldn’t wait. OooFF I’m glad the Cubs are headed back home! I came into work today and every broom in the plant was awaiting me in my cubicle. I had a good laugh as well as the people responsible. Yes there are living and breathing Rays fans and of course they had to stick to me.

The Cubs had a bad series.

The Rays are a good team especially if you give them extra out and walks and HBP…

I hope the Cubs rebound today quickly and regain the swagger they had prior to landing in Tampa.

The Cubs will be great in 2008!

by Scott G F on Jun 20, 2008 8:32 AM CDT   0 recs

Rays

Give them some credit. They have a darn good team. Marmol blew it, however.

"Baseball is 90% mental -- the other half is physical."

by thekever on Jun 20, 2008 8:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

marmol made me sick.

I love the dude, but please, never again.

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 9:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

White Castle

will tend to do that.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 9:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Marmol

had a bad game after how many good and great ones? Let’s give him a break, he has been pitching his heart out all season and no one has a good game every time out. No one, not Sandy Koufax, not Randy Johnson, not Fergie Jenkins, it just doesn’t happen. If it bothers folks to discover that Carlos is human then they need to readjust their reality.

by bubbamike the one and only on Jun 20, 2008 10:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that sucks.

i was able to ask my braves coworkers if they had any brooms. sure hurts when the shoe is on the other foot.

by cubbiefanTN on Jun 20, 2008 8:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not worried yet

We were never going to make it through the year without losing 3+ games in a row, so this blip was inevitable at some point.

This week we played a hot-team in their home park. We lost 2 one-run games which is a little unlucky, and we’re carrying a few injuries (of varying severity) that make the team look and play a little tired.

Remember though – the team is 45-28 (17 games over .500), we are 3.5 games ahead of the Cards, and 5.5 games ahead of the Brewers. If you had been offered this position at the start of the year you would have been delighted. So until something major happens to shift my optimism, I am going to remain delighted.

by MadHatterBlues on Jun 20, 2008 8:33 AM CDT   0 recs

I'm not worried about the team yet, but I am worried about Lee

I know he went 3-4 last night, but it was the softest 3-4 I’ve ever seen. When it really mattered he struck out on a terrible swing and looked just awful doing it. You can see the frustration affecting him – I’ve never seen him slam his bat down so many times. I just hope it’s nothing serious.

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Jun 20, 2008 8:35 AM CDT   0 recs

I think Lee is okay.

I believe he is hitting close to .380 over the past week and is heating up He probably just seems way off after that really hot start.

by N Oakley on Jun 20, 2008 8:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's a weak .381

since he is slugging .476, that’s 8 hits, 7 of which are singles. I think it is a good sign that his hits were going to right field. If memory serves, that is usually what derrek does when he is trying to get his swing back

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 8:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's absolutely right.

He started doing that late in spring training, and that’s one reason he got off to a good start.

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

by Al on Jun 20, 2008 8:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Lee is still making contact & 381 aint bad.

We hav a third baseman who has disappeared.

by cubbierc on Jun 20, 2008 10:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Good point

Ramirez:

Last 7 days – .185/.185/.296 OPS – .481

Last 14 days – .217/.308/.304 OPS – .612

He needs to pick it back up a bit.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 11:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He did

just that today big time.

by sue369 on Jun 20, 2008 9:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, and all of a sudden the Brewers

are coming back into the picture. The “Stros have been miserable lately and the Brewers miight have some things figured out. When it’s all said and done they may still be our biggest challenge.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jun 20, 2008 9:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the brewers are the only team in the division winning

everyone else just got swept. The Cubs, Cardinals, and Pirates have lost 3 in a row. The Reds have lost 5 in a row and the Astros have lost 8 in a row.

---AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Jun 20, 2008 9:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep, the Brew Crew have won four straight.

Fortunately, they’re still 5.5 back.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 20, 2008 9:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Just gotta win.

I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling, so why don't we just ignore each other til we go away.

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 20, 2008 9:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We can do that.

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

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 9:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agree

I still think the Cardinals are winning w/smoke and mirrors. Waiting for the wheels to fall off. I AM still concerned about the Brewers though.

by jbgindy on Jun 20, 2008 9:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Did anyone else see

Prince Fielder’s inside the park homerun on ESPN? They showed his one from last year and timed him around the bases. He cut a full second of his time for this year’s inside the park job. Maybe the veggies are working ;)

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 9:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Was last year's at Miller?

I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling, so why don't we just ignore each other til we go away.

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 20, 2008 9:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't know for sure

He was in a different color uni, but they didn’t show the field at all

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

13 Ks and 2 BBs for Cubs batters

That was awful.

"I don't think anybody's paying attention to the Cubs." - Prince Fielder

by jasoniniowa on Jun 20, 2008 8:44 AM CDT   0 recs

I'm really worried about this series

I was at the cell the other night and their bats are hot. Dye has hit about three homers in three days. Those balls were flying out of the park. They even rallied back from a 6 run deficit. I am also concerned about Ted Lilly. He has looked uneven in his last few starts. I had a bad feeling about the Tampa Bay series and I have the same feeling about the sox. I hope I am wrong.

by mgfabc on Jun 20, 2008 8:51 AM CDT   0 recs

As we well know...

... the Pirates pitching staff isn’t very good. That’s who the Sox hitters were facing the last three days. In fact, Ted Lilly has gone at least six innings in 10 of his last 12 starts. In his last 11 starts he is 7-2 with a 3.53 ERA and 24 BB and 69 K in 63 innings. He’ll be just fine.

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

by Al on Jun 20, 2008 8:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

As weird as this is to say...

Marquis hasn’t been bad the last couple either. I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but I seem to recall thinking he was doing an out of body thing lately. We could be okay, particularly since the showdown starts at home.

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

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 9:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Marquis

has won his last 4 starts and has a 1.96 era in his last three. He is pitching quite well right now.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 9:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You are correct!

Marquis’ last six starts—4-0, 3.09 ERA.

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

by Al on Jun 20, 2008 9:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

All I'm asking for is the title of your game recap to once again be "A Marquis Performance"

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Jun 20, 2008 9:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I've had...

... “A Marquis Experience” and “A Marquis Performance”. Got to think of something different!

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

by Al on Jun 20, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Beat me to it...

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on Jun 20, 2008 9:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How about "Holy Crap, Marquis Pitched Good Again." ???

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Jun 20, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He will not Marquit!

Marquis to my Heart

The Marquis to Victory

I’ll stop now.

I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling, so why don't we just ignore each other til we go away.

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 20, 2008 10:12 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"A Marquis Mark of Excellence"

sponsored by Calvin Klein of course…

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

by ballhawk on Jun 20, 2008 10:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

got my vote

by Emelie on Jun 20, 2008 10:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Marquis-sy does it

The marquis says “WIN”

Marquis mark and his funky bunch…

lol

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on Jun 20, 2008 10:13 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Marquis Mark takes it.

He’s got such good vibration.

I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling, so why don't we just ignore each other til we go away.

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 20, 2008 10:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's been done

A Marquis Performance

"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella

by Lou In Blue on Jun 20, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cool! Thanks for the stats!

I just remember games and knowing when I’m scared! I’m usually listening at work, no scorebook unless I’m at the game. ;)

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

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 9:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It is what it is

Rays in the toughest division in MLB 43 – 29

Cubs in the easy division in MLB 45 – 28

Our team looked slow compared to the young Rays…... We have some cracks

in our armour

by nimblenikelfoos on Jun 20, 2008 8:54 AM CDT   0 recs

Easy division?

How do you determine this? IMO it’s the NL West would take that title…. AZ winning that division with a record that would put them in 3rd and 5 games back of the Cubs

by cubbiefanTN on Jun 20, 2008 8:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not sure the Central qualifies as easy

Cubs have the best record in baseball, Cards are in the top 5, and the Brewers are 6 games over .500.

by jbgindy on Jun 20, 2008 9:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

uh

the NL central is not an easy division, and the Rays have a moribund Yankees in their div.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jun 20, 2008 9:29 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

40-33

Whoever said you couldn't mix business and pleasure never owned a putt putt course. --Andy Bernard

by carmen_fanzone on Jun 20, 2008 10:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The AL East

looks like a very tough decision when you look at their records. 4 or 5 teams are over .500,

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 10:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No kidding.

Poor, poor Cardinals.

I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling, so why don't we just ignore each other til we go away.

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 20, 2008 10:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Tampa

is 43-29

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 10:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

right my bad

trasnposed the numbers there a bit, still 40-33 aint bad

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jun 20, 2008 2:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't care,

when you sign Ponson, you’re moribund.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jun 20, 2008 10:03 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Besides the injuries we're aware of,

my concern is with Marmol. What the hell was that last night? Anyone can and does have a bad game, but it’s not like he was getting smacked around. He completely lost it. It’s as if I was put on the mound. That’s frightening. Has there been any explaination at all as to his wildness?

I do buy the fatigue factor that’s been mentioned, but I’m worried, too. I’d told my wife on Wednesday afternoon that I had a bad feeling about the Rays series and the recent injuries. Now, going into the Crosstown series, I’m really concerned. I’m not a ledge jumper, so I’m still chillin’ and enjoying our success, but damn if I ain’t afraid of just about everything right now. I’m on eggshells.

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

by Kegler on Jun 20, 2008 8:55 AM CDT   0 recs

Your answer is in your post.

“Anyone can and does have a bad game”. He did.

You know, maybe Lou using him a lot is a GOOD idea. He hadn’t thrown since Sunday. Maybe he was rusty.

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

by Al on Jun 20, 2008 8:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, maybe.

But that was beyond bad. I expected to get online today and read about Marmol’s elbow or shoulder, too. I’m relieved that there isn’t any news of that sort. I think you’re right about Marmol (and some other pitchers around the league) needing regular work to stay sharp. Having a few days off between appearances can’t make it any easier.

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

by Kegler on Jun 20, 2008 9:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I had the same thought last night.

Maybe one of the perhaps bizarre side effects of Lou (arguably) overusing Marmol is that, when Carlos has an extended period of rest like he did this past week, he’s going to be wild in his first appearance or two.

OR maybe Lou knows something we don’t—that is, if he doesn’t use Marmol regularly, Carlos is going to lose the strike zone as he did last night. Marmol has some pretty violent mechanics and he strikes me as one of those pitchers who “lives on the edge”, so to speak – and that edginess is a big part of what’s made him so successful.

I’m just kinda thinkin’ out loud here, but I wonder whether this might not be another perspective on the whole “overuse of Marmol” debate.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 20, 2008 9:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think we discovered something that Lou knew that we didn't

like you said, Marmol’s mechanics are a little wild and it looks like he may have a tendency to let his front shoulder fly open. Marmol probably needs repetition to stay sharp. My opinion of Marmol’s overuse is starting to change. I think he has to pitch the 100 innings to remain White Castle.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 9:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It would seem that might be the case.

Let’s see how Lou uses him this weekend. He threw 20 pitches yesterday. Will he come back with him today if needed?

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

by Al on Jun 20, 2008 9:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

fides quaerens intellectum

What we know: Marmol couldn’t find the strike zone – even his strike calls were off the plate. Lou’s pushing Z to 131 pitches had a harsh effect on Z’s shoulder.
What one might assume: Marmol is finally breaking down from overuse just as Z broke down.
What Cub fans decide must be the case: Lou needs to use Marmol more.

by DGU on Jun 20, 2008 9:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I just don't get from A to B.

Marmol was on track to replicate his IP from last year.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jun 20, 2008 9:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

I don’t get to the same conclusion from the facts presented. Pitchers are all different, what is overuse for one may not be overuse of another.

Marmol is capable of pitching 100+ innings in a season, he did it last year and is on pace for the same this year.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 9:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs