Derailed: Cubs 5, Nationals 13
Here's the best way to sum up today's 13-5 Cub loss to the Nationals: it should have kept raining, which it was for about an hour between 12 and 1 this afternoon, delaying the start of the game to 2:20.
Then we would have been spared watching the Cubs quickly run off the rails -- all due to a complete bullpen meltdown. Although four of today's runs were charged to Jason Marquis, only two of them scored while he was actually still in the game.
The rest scored on Willie Harris' first career grand slam off Neal Cotts.
Wait, did I really type that? "Willie Harris' first career grand slam." Yeah, I guess I really did type it, because it really did happen.
Wait, I'm not done: Harris hit another homer off Chad Gaudin in the ninth inning, putting an already ridiculous 10-5 game out of reach when the Nats scored three runs off Gaudin after two were out and no one on base, after they had scored three of Gaudin in the eighth inning.
Have you had enough? I pretty much have. This was the worst Cub loss of the year, worse than this one or this one or even this one, and the latter two of those were consecutive.
If only it had started raining after the fifth; Marquis was sailing and a slick double steal executed in the first inning by Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano and two homers, by Lee (his first HR since July 27) and Mark DeRosa (setting a new career RBI high for him at 75), had given the Cubs a 4-0 lead and it looked like it was going to be a no-brainer.
Well, it was, for the Nats -- who had exactly one fan in attendance, or at least I saw only one person wearing any sort of Nats clothes, a man wearing a red Nats cap, and I didn't see him till after the game, on Waveland waiting for one of the tour buses. It was a complete bullpen failure, from Neal Cotts to Bob Howry to Gaudin. The Cubs, presumably, learned the lesson today (if they didn't know this already), that they can't take anyone lightly, even a team that came into the game 38 games under .500. For a similar loss by a first-place team, check out this 1962 Dodgers/Mets game, played on almost an identical date that year, August 24, when the 83-45 (precisely the reverse of this year's Nats' record coming into today's game), first-place Dodgers lost to the Mets, whose win brought them to 63 games under .500, 50 games out of first place.
It happens. I doubt it'll happen again. I've had enough of talking about this one; heading out for the evening. Suggest you do the same. Till tomorrow.
0 recs |
212
comments
Read Related
Comments
Awful game...
but….
I did catch a foul ball today back behind the plate off of one the Nats.
First one ever. Stinks it had to be during this game
by MillsChC on Aug 22, 2008 6:02 PM CDT 0 recs
well it seems that every time you catch a foul ball, the Cubs get slaughtered.
cut it out!!
we can blame this loss on you. :-)
THIS IS OUR CENTURY!!
by LAcarl519 on
Aug 22, 2008 6:57 PM CDT
up
0 recs
All I know...
Is that when I left my office to go to a meeting, the Cubs were up 5-0. I can’t believe you guys blew the lead in my absence. You all should run laps.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
by Ross on Aug 22, 2008 6:02 PM CDT 0 recs
You should run laps for not knowing the true score
The game was never 5-0. So there.
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Aug 22, 2008 6:18 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Fine...
You are right. I’ll run a lap for they typo. You have to run a dozen and take personal responsibility for the bullpen.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
by Ross on
Aug 22, 2008 10:51 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Well
it sucked. Worst loss of the year. Not much more to add than to win the series.
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 Aug 22, 2008 6:03 PM CDT 0 recs
Aneb!
It only counts as one loss, but what a way to blow it bullpen, let’s get them on the weekend for our 8th consecutive series win…Go Cubs Go!
Mike+Milton+Eamus Catuli = AC000000
by Cub's Paperboy on Aug 22, 2008 6:09 PM CDT 0 recs
Late Lou
I don’t know if it would have made a difference, but Lou was late in yanking Marquis by about two batters. He didn’t have anyone warming up, though, so there’s only so much you can do to stall for time. Marquis was throwing some real meat pitches the inning before that, but the Nats kept hitting them right at people.
Don’t know if you could see from the stands, but the eephus pitch Cotts threw to Harris was Grooved, as in “I gotta throw a strike no matter what” pitch.
Pie, Fontenot, Theriot and Soto up the middle ... yippie oh, oh, oh!
by SpudV on Aug 22, 2008 6:14 PM CDT 0 recs
With the wind..............
…………….blowing out as it was, “ball four” was the last thing a manager wanted to see today.
Unfortunately that’s exactly what Marquis did in the 6th. With a 4-run lead he should have been attacking the hitters, but instead he started nibbling.
I’m not saying this game could have ended as a 4-0 Cubs victory, but the 3 free passes in the 6th all crossed the plate, accounting for half of the Nats tallies in that frame.
"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns
by tville on
Aug 22, 2008 7:37 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I'm bummed and in a bad mood
if it weren’t for my game thread pals I’d be in an even worse mood (thanks, guys!). One giant UGH. Can’t wait for our next win to wash the dirt and stink away.
Time to burn through some netflix. And I think I really will take a bath before bed tonight.
Oh, and… Go Cubs!
by Emelie on Aug 22, 2008 6:15 PM CDT 0 recs
A bath and then bed....
thanks for the visual. I feel better already.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
by tucsoncubsfan on
Aug 22, 2008 6:24 PM CDT
up
0 recs
+1
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 6:56 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Wish we lived
closer then we could go for a drink and cheer up. Hang in there Em. It will get better.
by sue369 on
Aug 22, 2008 6:29 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Everyone in the tri-state area to Emelie's for drinks!
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 7:11 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Careful - I can get there in an hour
And I like Scotch!
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 7:15 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Hopefully the bullpen got it out of their system
Because they ALL sucked today.
Oh well, one game. If we lost 5-4, I would probably feel worse.
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on Aug 22, 2008 6:19 PM CDT 0 recs
I always feel worse
after a 2-1 loss like we had earlier this week than after a game like today. We’ll win the next two.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
by tucsoncubsfan on
Aug 22, 2008 6:23 PM CDT
up
0 recs
It happens
One game doesn’t make a season. I think by the end of the year we’ll all look back at this one and shake our heads.
Washington came in slumping, while our bullpen was solid. Something had to give, as they say.
Win the next two, take the series, and we’ll all be happy. With Dempster and Harden starting the next two, I’ll take my chances.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on Aug 22, 2008 6:20 PM CDT 0 recs
At least the pitchers
all crapped on the same day instead of taking turns and now have it out of their systems. They’ll rebound tomorrow.
by sue369 on Aug 22, 2008 6:20 PM CDT 0 recs
Exactly Sue
I’m already over it (almost).
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Aug 22, 2008 6:21 PM CDT
up
0 recs
excellent point.
i like the way you think, too.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on
Aug 22, 2008 6:26 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Great thinking!
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Aug 22, 2008 8:26 PM CDT
up
0 recs
The Cubs have lost 50 games this season -- OMG!
Everyone else in the NL has lost at least 55.
There – feel better now?
Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on Aug 22, 2008 6:25 PM CDT 0 recs
oh nielsen...
u know just what to say!!! lol
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." --Alvin Dark
by preachermancubsfan on
Aug 22, 2008 7:10 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Tomorrow is a noon game so it can be quickly erased from our memories
"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.
by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 22, 2008 6:30 PM CDT 0 recs
Indeed
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 6:57 PM CDT
up
0 recs
a guilt free noon game... hooray!
past several weeks I’ve stolen time to watch the Cubs. Not tomorrow!
by Emelie on
Aug 22, 2008 7:11 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Seems the ladies like the nooners.
Ok, I’ll stop now . . .
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 7:13 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Bad for starting
or stopping?
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 7:28 PM CDT
up
0 recs
shame on you sb
"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.
by Madison Cub Fan on
Aug 22, 2008 7:36 PM CDT
up
0 recs
You deny it, then?
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 7:43 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I suppose if Geo is starting......
Im ok w/ one :)
"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.
by Madison Cub Fan on
Aug 22, 2008 7:56 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Oh, boy
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 9:09 PM CDT
up
0 recs
you asked *rolling my eyes*
"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.
by Madison Cub Fan on
Aug 22, 2008 9:29 PM CDT
up
0 recs
No game for us outside of Chicago
It’s in the Fox blackout.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on
Aug 22, 2008 7:14 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I assume since the Cubs play at 10am (left coast time)
we can watch tomorrow’s game on mlb.com, right?
THIS IS OUR CENTURY!!
by LAcarl519 on
Aug 22, 2008 7:40 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Blacked out on EI,
but MLB.TV has been showing the early Sat. games for the last 3-4 weeks.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Aug 22, 2008 8:27 PM CDT
up
0 recs
toast 2........
we the fans all getting waxed tonight like our team did and tune in for a “real game” tomorrow. go cubbies
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on Aug 22, 2008 6:55 PM CDT 0 recs
On to a winning streak that begins tomorrow.
This team has been in a funk for all four games at home. We have been lucky to be playing mediocre teams and be able to split 2-2. Now let’s hope the Cubs can finish the home stand strong and move to 30 games over .500!!
The Cubs have a target on their back and these weak teams want to beat up on them. Time for the Cubs to dig deep and stay focused. No one is going to hand it to them.
THIS IS OUR CENTURY!!
by LAcarl519 on Aug 22, 2008 7:04 PM CDT 0 recs
Took my parents to Wrigley for this...
they were in town for the day, traveling to St. Louis tomorrow, and my Mom said two things to me during the ninth inning that summed it up nicely:
1) “Let’s just stay for this ninth inning. I’d hate to miss the greatest comeback ever.” (a true optimist)
2) (said after the last out) “Well, the good news is, the Nationals are still awful, and the Cubs are still great.”
Thanks, Mom. :)
"Why does that man drop his club before he runs? I would bring it with me." ~Stewie Griffin
by Goodie1969 on Aug 22, 2008 7:09 PM CDT 0 recs
she's great
“The Nationals are still awful, and the Cubs are still great…” What a Mom!
by Emelie on
Aug 22, 2008 7:13 PM CDT
up
0 recs
The Nats are NOT the worst team in the NL
This line-up has some punch. The Padres are fielding the worst line-up in baseball — next to the Reds.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 22, 2008 7:12 PM CDT 0 recs
I think the Mariners might have something to say about that!
…they are most certainly in the team photo for the worst team in the majors.
"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08
by JB 23 on
Aug 22, 2008 7:36 PM CDT
up
0 recs
The Nats really had only one good player in the lineup today...
… Zimmerman.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT
up
0 recs
And he didn't get a hit!
"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns
by tville on
Aug 23, 2008 7:13 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Not a bad thing...
…to get your ass handed to you every now and then. It really helps to remind you, you don’t just show up and win.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on Aug 22, 2008 7:12 PM CDT 0 recs
I hadn't thought of it that way...
… but you’re absolutely right. I expect the Cubs to come out of the gate tomorrow eager for revenge.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Aug 22, 2008 9:45 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Yeah a little
over confident, little to much strut, maybe. This happens in 162 games, few games out of the year come into the game out of focus and get your hat handed to you.
I’ll take my chances with Demp throwing tomorrow.
Go Cubs.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
by Grockcubs on Aug 22, 2008 7:21 PM CDT 0 recs
OT: Damn cat is *still* in affection mode
going on hour 6… sheesh! He’s one aggressive mofo. Not that I don’t love the love but… dang! The love bucket’s overflowing, category 5…
FWIW, he’s a new cat… just hit year 1 and still very much in kitten mode…
by Emelie on Aug 22, 2008 7:35 PM CDT 0 recs
I have two to keep each other company
the other one’s far more laid back (although he’s the one that steals my jewelry). They are different breeds but born just days apart and quite close. Both a handful.
by Emelie on
Aug 22, 2008 7:41 PM CDT
up
0 recs
they are
and as much as I complain, they are charmers :D At some point they’ll calm down.
by Emelie on
Aug 22, 2008 7:58 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Hide your new phone....
He’s just buttering you up to get to it when you’re not looking….
The only stats I care about are the ones on the back of a baseball card
by carmen_fanzone on
Aug 22, 2008 7:45 PM CDT
up
0 recs
The day wasn't a total loss (for me)
Got my Mitchell and Ness 1969 Ernie Banks Road jersey today that I won on Ebay for….
40 Bucks!!! It’s rocks the party that rocks the party. Has the old Cubs logo on one sleeve and the “100 year anniversary” of MLB patch on the other. I might wear it to bed.
The only stats I care about are the ones on the back of a baseball card
by carmen_fanzone on Aug 22, 2008 7:50 PM CDT 0 recs
$40! Nice
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Aug 22, 2008 9:09 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Sweet deal!
I paid just over $100 for a Billy Williams a few years ago!
"Eighty-five percent of the world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here." - Lee Elia, 1983
"The only thing that bothers me is that I would never want to destroy the love and what the fans of Chicago are to the Chicago Cubs. I mean, God knows. If there's one pure thing in baseball, it is the fans of Chicago." - Lee Elia, 2008
by CaughtInTheVines on
Aug 22, 2008 10:54 PM CDT
up
0 recs
You know, I should be surprised
but I’m not. Someone cadillac’d a ball they thought was gone today. It didn’t cost the Cubs the game, but it ran them out of an inning. Of course, it wasn’t Soriano, or Ramirez, so there’s no mention of it in the recap. This is exactly what I was talking about last week, until my argument got sidetrack with milquetoast claims about semantics and logic. But here’s the point: certain players get a pass, no matter what they do. Case in point: Mark Derosa, who, somehow, on a ball of the wall, to damn near dead CF, gets thrown out at second base. Unsurprisingly, there’s no mention in the recap. Once again, before all the strawman artists take their shots, I DO NOT THINK THIS COST THE CUBS THE GAME. I just think it’s no surprise that Derosa’s not called out for his actions, while Soriano was. Mark Derosa tanked it, and he gets a pass and that’s complete and utter bullshit. If you’re going to call out one player for it, you should call out every player that does it, but you don’t, and that’s wrong.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on Aug 22, 2008 7:57 PM CDT 0 recs
From my seat
it looked like that ball hit the wall in left center on a rope and ricocheted right to the fielder. DeRosa shouldn’t have even tried for second IMO, it looked like a loud, long single. His boneheaded move on that play was trying for second at all, not dogging it out of the box. Granted I haven’t seen any replays on it so that’s just my memory but it looked to me like he got greedy…
"Why does that man drop his club before he runs? I would bring it with me." ~Stewie Griffin
by Goodie1969 on
Aug 22, 2008 8:06 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Looked on TV like he jogged.
In either case, if it were Soriano, he’d be raked over the coals. If he jogged, he’d be called lazy, or a showboater; if he ran for the extra base, he’d be decried for getting greedy. Derosa gets by, just like so many other Cub players get by. It’s not right and I’m tired of seeing it.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
Aug 22, 2008 8:11 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Fair enough
"Why does that man drop his club before he runs? I would bring it with me." ~Stewie Griffin
by Goodie1969 on
Aug 22, 2008 8:12 PM CDT
up
0 recs
gary when you stop enjoying blogs
and start discussing more what was written then the games themselves? Do you do this on all the blogs you frequent?
"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.
by Madison Cub Fan on
Aug 22, 2008 8:18 PM CDT
up
0 recs


