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Open Thread: Cubs vs. Mariners, Wednesday 6/13, 7:05 CT

By Al Yellon

I had meant to mention this yesterday, but got sidetracked and forgot; it's still relevant today, given the huge discussion we had about umpire Jim Wolf's outrageous ejection of Ted Lilly on Sunday night.

I have obtained the email address for the executive assistant to Jimmie Solomon, who is MLB's Executive VP for Baseball Operations, and listed at the top of the "Umpire Executives" list at mlb.com. His assistant's name is Michele Wilchek, and you can email her at

michele (dot) wilchek (at) mlb (dot) com

(yes, there is a dot between michele and wilchek)

At least these emails will get to someone with the authority to do something about Mr. Wolf's contemptible actions on the field in Atlanta Sunday night. Fortunately, as Bruce Miles writes, Lilly's penalty, beyond the ejection, will be only a fine, not a suspension:

Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly will be fined, but not suspended, for hitting Atlanta’s Edgar Renteria with a pitch and getting ejected in the first inning Sunday, according to Cubs general manager Jim Hendry.

The Cubs wasted no time contacting Major League Baseball and letting disciplinarian Bob Watson and umpire overseer Mike Port know they felt home-plate umpire Jim Wolf mishandled the situation.

Now, on to tonight's game, and perhaps just once, the Cubs can get through a game mishap-free. Is that too much to ask?
Today's Starting Pitchers
Sean Marshall
S. Marshall
Cubs		 vs. Miguel Batista
M. Batista
Mariners
2-2 W-L 7-4
2.08 ERA 5.48
26 SO 47
7 BB 25
2 HR 7
vs. Sea -- vs. Cubs
Marshall, of course, has never faced the Mariners, and of the current Seattle team, has faced only one player (Jose Guillen, 0-for-1) who is likely to start tonight. He has thrown well in all four of his starts since his recall on May 23. I just wish he could have a better picture taken.

The Cubs are quite familiar with Batista, who has spent most of his career in the NL, mainly with Arizona and Montreal. He's 2-2, 6.27 vs. the Cubs in 17 appearances (5 starts), and also spent the 1997 season in a Cub uniform. That year, I think I'd rather forget.

Cliff Floyd, among the current Cubs, hits him best: .400/.478/.650 in 20 career AB.

Does anyone know why the Mariners site Lookout Landing calls Batista "Beluga Tits"? That's a new one on me.

How exciting! We're on WGN tonight. That way the whole country can see the exciting juggernaut that is the 2007 Cubs! Or, you can check the Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2006 version)

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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