The Ace Is Wild
It wasn't just Carlos Zambrano being wild last night -- although that was a big part of the problem, not walks but the two times he hit Rickie Weeks, because he scored on one of them, and also got a hit and scored on that one, too.
The critical error made by Ryan Theriot, dropping a Mark DeRosa throw in the Brewers' four-run seventh inning, was the play on which the Cubs' 6-1 loss to the Brewers turned, and here I'm going to blame a guy I've praised so often -- DeRosa.
What was he thinking, making that throw? Here's the game situation: one out, runner on first, Z reaching about the end of the line. In my opinion, DeRosa had ZERO chance to throw Weeks out at second base; he should have taken the easy out at first. This would have left Weeks on second with two out, the score still 2-1, and Prince Fielder due up.
Obviously, then Fielder would have been intentionally walked, and Carlos Marmol, who was up three or four different times without getting into the game, would have come on to face Ryan Braun. Instead, Fielder singled, loading the bases, and then Braun smacked a double over Aramis Ramirez' head, scoring two runs and chasing Z in favor of Scott Eyre, who's been good lately. Not last night, though; Eyre gave up two straight hits, putting the game out of reach, but when he ended the inning with a double play ball from Johnny Estrada, Eyre's ERA actually went down to 5.14. Kerry Wood and Michael Wuertz at least didn't give up any more runs, and despite having runners in scoring position in the 8th and 9th off Derrick Turnbow and Francisco Cordero (odd to see Cordero in a non-save situation, but the Brewers have been so bad lately that Cordero hadn't thrown at all in eight days).
And that was that. Here are some numbers you wouldn't expect -- the club's record with each of the five current starting pitchers:
(The six other games were started by Angel Guzman, 1-2, and Wade Miller, 0-3.)
And that's our $90 million ace? I love Z, love his passion for the game, love his fastball, even love watching him swing the bat so hard it could have almost pushed back the wind blowing in pretty hard from center field last night. But he's got to start winning. Bruce Miles wonders, too:
Last night was coolish, with the wind blowing in, so no one was going to hit the ball out of the park (Weeks nearly did leading off the game, pushing Cliff Floyd back to the ivy to catch his fly ball, and Floyd briefly had to be checked out by the training staff), and though it was announced as another sellout of 40,512 (raising the season average to 40,079), there were blocks of empty seats in the upper deck. Some of those in attendance in the bleachers brought rather lame-worded signs trying to play off the name "Sheets" -- they were, in fact, so lame I can't even remember them to replicate them here.
I wanted to say something here about some of the name-calling that I've found (and had some emails about) in the game threads. Look. No one is saying that every single comment has to be optimistic, or ignore bad play. But as has been noted in this diary, it is impossible for even the best baseball team of every season to go 162-0. Sometimes teams are going to lose and look really bad doing it -- and the next day they could come out and look like champions. Unload your angst if you must but I will insist on this -- no insulting or name-calling of other posters here!!! If you want your opinions respected, the least you can do is respect the thoughts of others.
Thanks. Now, a couple of final thoughts of my own. Take a look at the current records of the ten (yes, TEN) teams that are still, on August 30, within 5.5 games of a playoff spot (listed in percentage order):
Not only are all those teams still within striking distance of either a division lead or the wild card lead, but from top to bottom those ten are only separated by 7.5 games. That, this late in the season, is unprecedented. It ought to make for a wild finish. In the meantime, despite yesterday's loss, the Cubs still remain 1.5 games in first place, and in case you don't have an idea of how to handle that, I'll give the final word to Mike:
(as always, click on thumbnail to view full-size in new browser window. If you are using IE, you may have to click the lower-right corner of the image in the new window to expand it to its full size; in Firefox click anywhere on the image.)
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lou
btw, isn't marmol #1 in mlb as far as inherited runners is concerned?
by rm463 on Aug 30, 2007 8:56 AM CDT 0 recs
I agree with the comment on Lou.
I also threw up a little in my mouth when Eyre came in to face what appeared to be the one lefty, let the runner score, then was left in.
I had the pleasure of sitting in front of a couple of very large, very loud, mammals in brewer gear. They must live by the motto of drink more/think less. I saw a lot of well behaved brewer fans, wish I could have sat near them.
by N Oakley on
Aug 30, 2007 9:05 AM CDT
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Yep..
By the way..Piniella needs to have that baby..
by wicubfan on
Aug 30, 2007 11:20 AM CDT
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hahahaha
by numike on
Aug 30, 2007 1:12 PM CDT
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For anyone who has visited Al, this cartoon
I bet Lou in hindsight would have taken out Z. We can all see that Marmol should have came in now.
I stated in another diary Aram is pushing a little. Rest him or get him going, we need that RBI bat.
We're seeing quite a few lefties soon, let's get that taken care of starting today.
by mrcubsfan on Aug 30, 2007 9:02 AM CDT 0 recs
Crap!
The Cubs are expected to recall LHP Will Ohman when rosters expand on Sept. 1.
Ohman complained about a "barking" shoulder when he was demoted earlier this month, but he has pitched well at Triple-A. Catcher Geovany Soto, RHP Sean Gallagher IF Ronny Cedeno, IF Eric Patterson, LHP Carmen Pignatiello and RHP Rocky Cherry are also potential candidates to join the major league roster.
=====
why?
by Chanman25 on Aug 30, 2007 9:07 AM CDT 0 recs
maybe because he will make a difference
He has 12 holds and one save...
In April he made 10 appearances, 7.2-IP 4-ER, 8 of 10 no runs, in May 12 appearances, 5.1-IP, 5-ER, 10 of 12 no runs, in June 13 appearances 12-IP, 5-ER 9 of 12 no runs, in July 10 appearances, 5.2-IP, 1-ER, 9 of 10 no runs scored...in August 2 appearances 1.1-IP 5-ER...in essence why he was sent down in that he had 5 consecutive no run appearances until those two games.
Overall he has had 37 inherented runners and 5 have scored.
Ohman is an effective LOOGY...not much more.
by Ivy Walls on
Aug 30, 2007 10:40 AM CDT
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no way...
Sorry Al - but that error is completely on Theriot. DeRosa made a good throw, and he would have been out easily if Theriot would have caught the ball.
DeRosa made the right decision; Theriot blew the play.
Again - have you actually seen the replay?
No way was that DeRosa's fault.
by big_lowitzki on Aug 30, 2007 9:08 AM CDT 0 recs
Sorry, I still disagree.
by Al on
Aug 30, 2007 9:11 AM CDT
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derosa to theriot...
by rm463 on
Aug 30, 2007 9:13 AM CDT
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totally agree..
by wicubfan on
Aug 30, 2007 11:24 AM CDT
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The sure out?
by cubsbak on
Aug 30, 2007 9:14 AM CDT
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The "sure out"...
by Al on
Aug 30, 2007 9:21 AM CDT
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Again...
The out at second shouldn't have been an issue. It was the right decision, and Theriot blew it.
by big_lowitzki on
Aug 30, 2007 9:22 AM CDT
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I watched the replay.
by Al on
Aug 30, 2007 9:27 AM CDT
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Theriot out of position
he was out of position because he was trying to get himself in position to make a quick throw to 1b
by DartmouthCubsFan on
Aug 30, 2007 9:28 AM CDT
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exactly!
by rm463 on
Aug 30, 2007 9:29 AM CDT
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Taken the force?
I still think the inning would have come out just fine under my scenario.
by Al on
Aug 30, 2007 9:29 AM CDT
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With the benefit
by cubsbak on
Aug 30, 2007 9:34 AM CDT
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No, I'm not saying that.
You're right that in 99% of similar situations, you try to get the lead runner.
by Al on
Aug 30, 2007 9:36 AM CDT
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prior to the ball being hit
theriot made the wrong decision trying to turn 2 on a play that would've been nearly impossible to turn 2 on and he dropped the ball
there are PLENTY of times during the year the DP Duo is in "DP Position" before the balls hit and they only get a force and hold the ball instead of throwing it to first
by DartmouthCubsFan on
Aug 30, 2007 9:35 AM CDT
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The-Riot
I just can't get on him too much...
Tuesday's game was much different for him.
by TheEman on
Aug 30, 2007 10:48 AM CDT
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Much better than Cedeno's 25 Es
by SackMan on
Aug 30, 2007 11:13 AM CDT
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STILL
by TCobb1911 on
Aug 30, 2007 11:13 AM CDT
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IMHO, he
by TheEman on
Aug 30, 2007 11:23 AM CDT
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But the first
by cubsbak on
Aug 30, 2007 9:24 AM CDT
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Oh, come on.
by Al on
Aug 30, 2007 9:27 AM CDT
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How many times
by cubsbak on
Aug 30, 2007 9:30 AM CDT
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hmmm
... on a routine ground ball to second base, is to throw to first.
so, you believe that it was imprudent of derosa to try and keep weeks out of scoring position in a 2-1 game?
if theiot does what any other ss would do in that situation, 99.9% of the time, the cubs would have had two outs with a runner on 1st.
by rm463 on
Aug 30, 2007 9:26 AM CDT
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You can't be series
by cubsbak on Aug 30, 2007 9:09 AM CDT 0 recs
I agree
by jbowling13 on
Aug 30, 2007 10:09 AM CDT
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Thanks Al
by Cajuncub on
Aug 30, 2007 10:47 AM CDT
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Observing Big Z implode last night...
We've got five years, what a surprise
We've got five years, my brain hurts a lot
We've got five years, that's all we've got
Don't get me wrong. I haven't given up on Z, but, man...he's got to do better. He's just got to.
If the Cubs had lost 2-1 or even 3-1, I'd say...hey, y'know, Ben Sheets is a great pitcher, he stepped up and pitched a great game for his team...kudos to him and Big Z for pitching competitively. But it seems like Big Z had a tendency to fall apart late in the games when the Cubs are trailing. (Disclaimer: I don't have time at the moment to research this impression. Maybe someone else can help me out here.)
Of course, I still must begrudgingly give props to Ben Sheets. This guy did exactly what the Brewers needed -- he played the stopper, gave them hope, provided an example of just how an ace starter can be a team leader.
Ah, well. It's on to the no-name lefty tonight. Craig Monroe, be our savior.
by dat cubfan daver on Aug 30, 2007 9:21 AM CDT 0 recs
Bowie
by ExNorthsider on
Aug 30, 2007 9:41 AM CDT
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Glad you liked it!
by dat cubfan daver on
Aug 30, 2007 9:47 AM CDT
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Totally agree
by wicubfan on
Aug 30, 2007 11:37 AM CDT
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sorry Al
DeRosa made the right play he had Weeks by 2-3 feet
Theriot made the boneheaded play by trying to turn two on a ball that was too slowly hit and too far in the hole to turn
it was a simple force play
and theriot blew it
Riot's been great all season but last night he was HORRIBLE and one of the main reasons we lost
not getting a sac bunt down with runners on 1st and 2nd and 0 out (of course why are we sac bunting with their starter on the roaps early in the game and the middle of the lineup coming up.... but thats another discussion altogether)
he also had an atrocious AB right after Soriano's ATROCIOUS AB in the 5th, where Riot grounded out on the 1st pitch he saw
in the middle innings the Cubs should have consciously been trying to work counts and get Sheets out knowing he didnt have the stamina to last 100 pitches
instead they flailed away, swinging at everything
Riot's been the hero MANY TIMES this year so its tough to get on him, but last night he was the goat
by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 30, 2007 9:22 AM CDT 0 recs
Sacrifice
by wicubfan on
Aug 30, 2007 11:44 AM CDT
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be careful
havent you heard?
Lou Pineilla is the reason this team wins
and when it doesnt win, well Jim Hendry or the players are the reason
by DartmouthCubsFan on
Aug 30, 2007 3:36 PM CDT
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Look
by cubsbak on
Aug 30, 2007 3:38 PM CDT
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what are you stalking me?
i've actively tried to ignore you
by DartmouthCubsFan on
Aug 30, 2007 3:42 PM CDT
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So
by cubsbak on
Aug 30, 2007 3:56 PM CDT
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What is going on with the Bats ???
DLee & A-Ram have not seen a pitch on the inner half of the plate in weeks.
Soriano swung at 2 balls 2 - 3 feet in front of the plate.
Hopefully they can adjust and show a little more paitence at the plate, execute those bunts and spray the ball around the entire field.
This team should be 5 games + in front right now.
Keep the faith !!!
by parrotinct on Aug 30, 2007 9:35 AM CDT 0 recs
Agree on one thing
My humble opinion is everything will work out in the long run. The bats will get hot when September comes and the players see the light at the end of the tunnel.
by mrcubsfan on
Aug 30, 2007 10:04 AM CDT
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I still think it's...
It's funny how things go about the power, or lack-of recently. Back in '04 the Cubs lead the NL, if not all of MLB, in HR's but was below avg in runs scored. In fact they were near the top in % of runs scored via the HR.
Now, the HR is missing, and there's a lot of angst. Just like the 10 game stretch a couple months or so ago that the team didn't hit a HR; they went 7-3 in that stretch. I'd like to see that right now.
As for D-Lee, I wonder about his eye-sight. He's been taking more called strike 3's than I can remember. I thought he always had a keen eye. A-Ram's contact numbers are still pretty good and remember he's playing with 2 ailments and will continue to be a bit below 100% until late October...
by blackhawk24 on
Aug 30, 2007 10:40 AM CDT
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By the way
by jazzypete on Aug 30, 2007 9:58 AM CDT 0 recs
that ab...
by rm463 on
Aug 30, 2007 10:00 AM CDT
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his AB against SHouse was just as AB
second picth: FB low and away, ball 2
third pitch: FB low and away (would've been Ball 3), Soriano weekly grounds out to short trying to pull the ball and almost an inning-ending DP
to be up 2-0 in the count with 2 on and to swing at the same exact pitch you've seen twice thats out of the zone... is frustrating to watch
this is what we get with Sori though, flashes of brilliance in extended hot streaks, but he's always been exploited by breaking balls and top-flight pitching
when runners are on he gets pitched around and often gets himself out
by DartmouthCubsFan on
Aug 30, 2007 10:11 AM CDT
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That pitch looked like it bounced
And don't worry... he heard the boo birds big time after that hideous AB.
by SackMan on
Aug 30, 2007 10:24 AM CDT
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It Was Awful
by 08Cubs on
Aug 30, 2007 3:21 PM CDT
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I've attended so many of Big Z's starts
And, I've been let down so many friggin times. Last night, due to the serious implications of this game, was the biggest let down so far.
And let me just crow: that even though we're in a race, there's still a bunch of drunk frat boy retards in the stands near me, who have absolutely no passion for the game whatsoever. really pisses me off.
by SackMan on Aug 30, 2007 10:22 AM CDT 0 recs
I have to say...
by Al on
Aug 30, 2007 10:29 AM CDT
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I wish there was a security checkpoint for DFB
Oh... and another checkpoint for families with 5 kids from Rockford, who have to constantly get up out of their seats and purchase more food and drinks every inning... then never learn the courtesy of when to enter or exit the row.
by SackMan on
Aug 30, 2007 10:38 AM CDT
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haha..couldn't agree more..
by wicubfan on
Aug 30, 2007 11:52 AM CDT
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When to enter or exit the row ....
My experience is that MOST of the folks showing up these days have little or no concept of good fan etiquette.
Even worse is that the overwhelming majority really have no desire to acquire any knowledge of how to behave, either -- just try politely pointing out something and see what kind of reaction it brings !!!
No wonder glass beer bottles are no longer handed to spectators -- they'd become weapons ....
by wrigley1 on
Aug 30, 2007 2:49 PM CDT
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Agreed 100%
I've been sitting down in the 100s on the aisle the last couple of nights, and it has literally been impossible to see half the game over the vendors and people standing up and moving during the game. I'm happily going back to my regular seat in the terraces tonight, because at least the view stays unobstructed for the whole game.
I really wish management would try to do at least something to try to encourage more polite behavior, but they are more interested in selling beer and casual fans than they are in people who really want to actually watch the baseball.
by 08Cubs on
Aug 30, 2007 3:26 PM CDT
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How about a BCB etiquette T-Shirt
- Return to your seat only after an at-bat or during an inning.
- Don't stand up during an at-bat.
- Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through a ballgame.
- Don't throw stuff on the field - Ever! Have some self respect.
- Verbal abuse to the other team is encouraged, but leave profanity and the ballplayer's momma out of it.
- The game happens on the field. Pay attention to it or you might get a foul ball upside the head.
by NO100 on
Aug 30, 2007 3:56 PM CDT
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Leadoff
When are fragile egos (Soriano wants to leadoff, Zambrano will throw a tantrum if Lou takes him out) going to stop being the priority on this team?
by psennett on Aug 30, 2007 10:25 AM CDT 0 recs
Oh... and for all the positives Kendall brings
A. gonna nail a runner, or
B: make them hesitate to run on him in the future.
Just don't throw. OK. They all end up in CF anyway.
by SackMan on Aug 30, 2007 10:28 AM CDT 0 recs
Players who fail to read BCB threads...
Dropped balls at second, hit by pitches, swinging at 55 ft pitches notwithstanding, I thought the critical moment of last night's game happened early on when Theriot couldn't get the sac bunt down with Soriano and Z on base.
If successful, then it's 2nd and 3rd with one out, and Lee's base hit easily scores Z and probably Soriano (even with the bum leg). Instead we're left with bases loaded and eventually no runs.
Made me think of yesterday's (?) thread about bunts and whether players actually practice bunting or not.
by ballhawk on Aug 30, 2007 10:35 AM CDT 0 recs
Bunting "practice"
While they were all able to get their bunts down, I found it interesting that not a single player squared around. They all did that awkward lean-over-from-the-waist, twist-the-hips, move-hand-up-the-bat stance. Looked kind of lackadaisical to me.
So to whoever raised the question yesterday - yes, they do practice their bunts, but it sure ain't pretty.
[I just got out my Eric Karros game used bat and tried that stance. Ouch! - I think I pulled something...]
by ballhawk on
Aug 30, 2007 10:37 AM CDT
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It pains me to watch guys stab at the pitch
You're supposed to "catch" the pitch with the bat, and deaden the ball.
by SackMan on
Aug 30, 2007 10:45 AM CDT
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They never read our BCB 10 Commandments
by SackMan on
Aug 30, 2007 10:39 AM CDT
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i believe...
it is the same inning soriano was called safe at 3b
by rm463 on
Aug 30, 2007 10:40 AM CDT
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oops - you're right
Yes, Fred McGriff can come too...
http://espn.go.com/page2/s/caple/030709.html
by ballhawk on
Aug 30, 2007 11:04 AM CDT
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Let's trade them all!
Trade Soriano for Corey Patterson and Cezar Izturis!
Drop Ramirez down to the 8-hole and bring up someone from Boise!
Deport Zambrano!!!
Castrate Theriot!!!! (And DeRosa too, since we can't agree on whose fault it was!)
Lee apathetic??? Jesum H. Christmas, are we reading minds now?
I mean, I'm sorry he isn't nailing himself to a cross to satisfy your rage, but, really, get over yourselves.
by lancaster99 on Aug 30, 2007 10:37 AM CDT 0 recs
doctor, heal thyself
good point, but can you read his mind and determine that he's not apathetic?
by rm463 on Aug 30, 200



