It Was Ted Lilly's Field: Cubs 6, Marlins 1
by Al Yellon on May 2, 2009 3:48 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintTed Lilly has been the most consistent starter the Cubs have had so far this year -- despite getting hit hard in two of his five starts. Today, he became the first Cub starter of 2009 to pitch into (and finish) the eighth inning -- and you could have made an argument for him to finish, since he threw "only" 104 pitches (76 strikes). With plate umpire Fieldin Culbreth, one of the better ball & strike umpires, calling a very good and consistent game, Lilly struck out ten, walked none, and capped his great afternoon with a two-run double off the wall in right-center field after the Marlins had intentionally walked the dangerous Aaron Miles to pitch to him.
Aaron Heilman finished the game with a flourish by striking out the side in the ninth, and the Cubs won a game 2008-style, 6-1 over the Marlins. What do I mean by "2008-style"? Last year, the Cubs specialized in being patient (they drew five walks today), didn't just rely on the home run (they had two today, but also nine other hits), everyone contributed, and when regulars were out of the lineup, the subs stepped up and had good days (Micah Hoffpauir, subbing again in RF for Milton Bradley, had two hits, a walk, and a diving catch in right field. I think he's even opened his eyes since he caught that ball).
Meanwhile, Ryan Theriot started off the day like he wanted to go cycling, homering in the first inning (in his second straight at-bat) and tripling off the right-field wall in the second. He wound up 2-for-5, and the three extra-base hits in a row gives him seven for the season. That may not seem like a lot of XBH, but he had only 24 (19 doubles, 4 triples and a HR) all of 2008. If he could have 35 or 40 XBH this year and maybe push that SLG over .400 (it sits at .457 after today's outburst), he'd be a much more useful offensive player.
Derrek Lee looked bad three times at the plate, striking out swinging, but on his other time up he hit a home run that landed on the other side of Waveland right in front of the house on the northeast corner of Waveland & Kenmore that now bears that casino ad on the roof. In the ballpark it was announced at 415 feet, but I'd guess it was closer to 450. BCB's Ballhawk, who stood on Waveland wearing his Cubs cap (keep it on, Ken, it's working) during BP, was nowhere to be seen as the ball bounced into the fenced-in yard of the house. Watching D-Lee closely today, it struck me that his entire batting stance looks different -- far more upright than usual, which might be a result of the chronic neck and back trouble he is having. The homer today was nice, and it simply put an exclamation point on a nicely executed win -- but I still think Lee probably ought to be DL'd, rather than try to grit his way through this injury, and get himself right.
Oddity: the game came within one play -- a fifth-inning grounder back to Lilly by Cameron Maybin (who had beaten out a similar grounder for the game's first hit in the third) -- of being the 10th game in major league history where one team had no assists. You'd think that would be more common, but that means no groundouts, no caught stealings, no runners thrown out on the bases. You need, in general, a flyball pitcher (which Lilly is) who gets a lot of strikeouts (which Lilly did).
It was, as Lou the Weather Forecaster said in his postgame remarks, a beautiful spring day for baseball -- 65 degrees, with, for a fairly rare occurrence this time of year in Chicago, the wind not blowing off the lake. The west wind clocked at game time at 12 MPH occasionally gusted higher, but none of the three homers (including the solo shot by the Marlins' Cody Ross) was wind-aided today. A few puffy cumulus clouds scudding on by cooled things off from time to time, but the baseball played by the Cubs was as beautiful as the weather. Jared Light, who runs the SBN University of Oregon site Addicted To Quack and who now lives and works in Chicago and has become a Cubs fan, stopped by to say hi this afternoon, as did a couple of other BCB readers. You saw what we hope we'll see going forward this season -- onward to tomorrow, let's win another series.
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TED ROCKS
Great game but whatever Theriot is eating should be fed to everyone.
FYI more pictures of Ted for the LADIES on the blog would be appreciated.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
Geez.
You got one in the preview thread and one in the recap. I can only post one per thread.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I meant generally
Too much cheesecake and not enough Ted etc.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on May 2, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Only to a guy
Actually I don’t like beefcake, I like smaller cuter cake, perhaps for the Cubs it should be strawberry shortcake
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on May 2, 2009 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Ask and you shall receive.
As long as it’s not DARRYL strawberry shortcake.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yep, I was nowhere to be seen...
…unless you happened to be looking out onto Sheffield where I was waiting for Hoffpauir to come up. With Dome swinging a hot bat, Hoff’s power, and LBR’s recent HR barrage, I figured it wasn’t worth running back over to Waveland for Lee. Obviously figured wrong. Curse you Lou and your L R L batting orders… ;-)
What’s really funny is this morning I read vivaelpujols’ excellent “Detailed statistical analysis of Derrek Lee” FanPost which convinced me even more that I was far better off playing the lefties on Sheffield than worrying about Lee going yard on Waveland. Which he did – literally. Ball landed on Waveland and took a big bounce into the back yard of the ex-Budweiser house. Hit a picnic table in the yard and some guy sitting there got it.
Moral of the story? Get in shape, ballhawk. Get in shape…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Maybe Maddux will take BP tomorrow
for old times sake and you can catch me one of his ( he did actually hit one now and again in BP ).
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on May 2, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions
No mention of Lilly's two-run double?
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
I'm an idiot
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
You said it first
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on May 2, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed?
+1?
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Hey!
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
Great game
and the game threads were so enjoyable too.
So happy that DLee hit a homer and whatever has gotten into Theriot I hope he shares with the rest of the team. Maybe it was a wakeup call for this team on Thurs. ngiht when many of their fans were in the concourse watching and cheering on the Bulls.
May seems to be good to the team so far. Hope it continues.
they said Lou talked to him about his approach
to stop trying for singles, and to put some umph into it
sounds a lot like Jim Freys talk to Ryno in 84
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
If Theriot could do half of what Ryno did in '84 (and beyond)
I’d be ecstatic.
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
I am not expecting the same results
but it is either ironic or a coincidence
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
a little of both, I'd imagine
It does add to Theriot’s versatility – defenses can’t play him to hit the other way all the time, which is good.
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
Enjoyable? Really?
I’m sad I missed the entire game…oh well! Tomorrow on the SuperStation!
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Damnit, sue.
We need ya.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Let's let the good day for Chicago continue
With Bulls and Hawks wins. Good news with Rammy, Len said he could be back tommarow.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
Strikes me as odd
that someone with no medical training who has never examined Derek Lee assumes they know better than a doctor who has examined him.
"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard
I make no assumptions.
I simply made an observation and expressed an opinion. You’re free to disagree with me.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I actually thought the same thing today
Watching him at the plate, he seemed like there was something different, not sure if something was wrong/painful causing it, or he is just changing his stance a little.
"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."
or changing cuz of pain/discomfort
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
intenitonal walk
The Marlins intentionally walked Fuku to get to Derrick Lee. That right there is a sign that the word is out that Lee is either not 100% or isn’t near the player he used to be. Hopefully he is just hurt. We have Hoff who can fill in. Missing Lee wouldn’t be the disaster like in 06.
Tomorrow
Anyone looking forward to tomorrow’s festivities more than anything they have looked forward to besides playoff games?
Jay is our Quarterback. I REPEAT JAY IS OUR QUARTERBACK. Did I mention we have a Quarterback who happens to be named Jay?.
Actually yes and no
One of my friends recently told me she will be at the game and gets to go on the field before the game/festivities and is sitting right behind the cubs bullpen for the game, so I got real sad that I wont be doing that.
"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."
oh man, what I wouldn't give to see someone like...
…Larry the Cable Guy and a bunch of his redneck pals, crash the Derby party at Churchill Downs, complete with flannel shirts, trucker foam hats, and a cooler of Old Style.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
trying to find a horse with a Cub-related name to cheer for but no luck
Best I can come up with is:
West Side Bernie — “Bernie’s”
Mr. Hot Stuff – TLR or Soto (for the ladies)
Hold Me Back – Bradley
General Quarters – General Patton
Nowhere to Hide – the entire bullpen…
Guess I’ll go with Hold Me Back
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
yep
Guy: Really? But, it’s a little bit slow out there it rained last night.
Kramer: Oh, this baby loves the slob, loves it, eats it up. Eats the slob. Born in the slob. His father was a mudda’.
Guy: His father was a mudda’?
Kramer: His mother was a mudda’.
Guy: His mother was a mudda’?
Kramer: What did I just say?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
what the hell is "the slob"
other than ……you………i guess
I kid because I care.
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on May 3, 2009 3:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Just started.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 2, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Derby results:
Win: Mine That Bird
Place: Pioneer of the Nile
Show: Musket Man
Mine That Bird put on ONE HECK of a move along the rail in the final straight.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 2, 2009 5:33 PM CDT reply actions
yep, he barely squeezed through. thought for sure there'd be some sort of crash, spinout or whatever it is that horses do.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I thought so too.
He made it through, and it was pretty much over.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 2, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
they fly
up into the wall and spray “spare parts” into the fans.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on May 2, 2009 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions
that horse was so money
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on May 3, 2009 3:58 AM CDT up reply actions
What Were the Cubs thinking?...
Jason Marquis has been great
"Chemistry is a class you take in high school or college, where you figure out two plus two is 10, or something."
- Dennis Rodman
Salary room?
and if he continues to throw this consistently Ill be fully surprised. He always had flashes of skill.
"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."
Start a post about it!
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
they were thinking
we need to dump this huge salary, and we got this guy Marshall. Sean Marshall? You might remember him. He pitched a great game into the seventh inning, something like three-hit ball, with a shutout. Then the pen blew it, but still…
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on May 2, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions
they also were thinking how CUb fans (majority)
would not stop bitching about him, and booing him (in a Cubs uniform)
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
maybe
I doubt it figured into the process much. After all, they signed Gregg.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on May 2, 2009 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions
with us moving players around the system
and the draft coming soon,
oughtn’t we decide on our 2 PTBNL?
Bulls game is about to start.
GO BULLS!
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 2, 2009 7:01 PM CDT reply actions
come on Bulls
46-38 Celtics
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Marlins win
What a celebration for Cubs fans yesterday and today! Finally, the team looks like my Cubs! They are playing as a team, the chemistry seems to be back, and Theriot is on fire and getting some much deserved credit! Theriot is consistent and gives 100% every game. Watching these last two games has even shut me up about losing DeRosa! Way to go guys and keep it up!!!!!
"Whatever you are, be a good one."
Like I said
yesterday may have been the day we’ll look back at and say “that’s when the 2009 Cubs turned it around!”
I caught part of the game on radio, and the last inning on TV. It looked like the Cubbies of last year.
Awesomesauce.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
Awesomesauce
is that served here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42hk7chbk8o
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
now I want nachos.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on May 2, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions
LMAO
5 different nachos?
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Winning Streak-O-Meter
is at 2 and counting. ledge jumpers hurry jump back in the cubbie world series wagon while you still can!!!!!!
My Cubbies are the 2009 World Series Champs!!!!!
I didn't get the players I wanted in the offseason!! Hopefully I get what I want in the Regular Season---The World Series Trophy!! Go Cubbies!!
Bulls are out
They lost to the Celtics and the refs. Blackhawks are winning in Vancouver, 5-2.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 2, 2009 10:15 PM CDT reply actions
Hawks win, 6-3
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 2, 2009 10:39 PM CDT reply actions
series tied 1-1 heading back to Madison Street, I feel good about this one
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Well at least the Hawks won, and at least the Bulls had one hell of a season
meh, and how bored am I? I’m going to be unable to make it to Chicago this summer but next summer after I graduate, I am taking a huge trip with a couple friends to Chitown, and I am looking at potential sites for THAT trip!
Sigh I guess I am nostalgic about my last Chicago trip…
Movement to make Jeff Samardzija our closer!
I ahve tickets to a game, and I wont be able to go to it (AUGH!!!)
some friends from Sweeden, Hawaii, Canada (amongst other places) are coming into town the same weekend for a Roller Derby invitational tournament. I might nee to bribe someone to text me inning by inning updates Satuirday and Sunday (June 20-21 vs Cleveland)
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
hah! I wanted to go to that series, but I think I'm going to make a Boston trip this season instead with my pap
I always hate seeing the outcome of games I could have been to but just couldn’t find a way to get there..
Movement to make Jeff Samardzija our closer!
How 'good'...
…was Hoffpauir’s diving catch?
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
not good enuff
to get a craptastic DLee to take a seat while Hoff plays first and rips the cover off the ball.
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on May 3, 2009 4:00 AM CDT up reply actions
"Clammy Sosa"
I’m watching Baystars-Dragons game in Yokohama on TV right now, but a yucky creature called Clammy Sosa is visiting the game, ate a human and stripped his clothing… is this Cubs stuff? The other side of Sammy Sosa??
and here’s some information on Baystars website….
by dragonsfanatic on May 3, 2009 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Clammy Sosa
is one of the Zooperstars. They tour minor league stadiums in the US with about a dozen costumed characters. Last year they were on the show “America’s Got Talent” and perhaps that has added to their international appeal. I find it interesting that they get approval from MLB for offical logos and such.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
Looks from their website...
… that they take famous US athletes and make them in to somewhat absurd cartoons:
It doesn’t look like they particularly play off any one aspect of the athlete’s history or personalty, and are rather naming them base one rhyme (“Yao FlaMINGo”). I"m honestly surprised Sammy got mixed in to this, as the rest of the players (with the exception of the now equally irrelevant – save for the arguably more harsh ‘roid revelations – Mark McGwire) don’t seem to be as relevant or current.
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end"
Thanks for info
Ichiro’s infield basehits are actually called “cockroach hit” here in Japan…. It is so quick and unpredictable where to go… Especially in Okinawa (tropic island) they are so big, fly and jack up people…
by dragonsfanatic on May 3, 2009 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, wait..
Did you say no walks?
"I owe [Dunston] a lot. Nobody would know how good I was at digging balls out of the dirt if it wasn't for him..." -Mark Grace
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
No walks,
And Cubs pitching struck out 13 Florida batters.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on May 3, 2009 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Speaking of Sammy Sosa...
I think today might be an early indication of whether or not the Cubs plan to retire #21 in the foreseeable future. Seeing as how 31 is being retired today for two Cubs, Fergie and Maddux, it’s been a running discussion point on whether the Cubs will raise one flag or two.
If they raise one 31 – especially if it’s on the left field flag pole – that tells me the Cubs are keeping their option open for retiring 21 someday where obviously it’d on the right field pole. If they raise two 31s – one on each pole – then I think Sammy’s toast.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
That might depend on whether any other numbers will be retired
Any recent or current Cub players who might have a shot? Zambrano, maybe, if he gets a little better than he’s been? He could yet spend his whole career with the team.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
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