Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Braves Saturday Game ThreadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2015-07-19T08:00:00-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/87007802015-07-19T08:00:00-05:002015-07-19T08:00:00-05:00Cubs 4, Braves 0: Almost Famous
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<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs shut out the Braves, their 12th blanking of the year. But that wasn't the story of the game.</p> <p id="e5jIxx">It's often said that if you watch baseball long enough, you will see something you have never seen before.</p>
<p id="HCsNdj">That was the case midway through <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2015_07_18_chnmlb_atlmlb_1">the Cubs' 4-0 win over the Braves</a> Saturday night.</p>
<p id="uBOmk1"><span>Jon Lester</span> was cruising through the Atlanta lineup, working on a one-hit shutout as the seventh inning began. Only then, he wasn't.</p>
<p id="Ppyv2L">Jack Wilkinson, a long-time Atlanta sportswriter serving as official scorer for the game, changed a scoring decision he'd made in the first inning on a <span>Nick Markakis</span> ground ball that got past <span>Kris Bryant</span> into left field. There were two out in the inning at the time. While the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> were batting in the seventh, Wilkinson changed this call to "E-5," and presto! Lester's now working on a no-hitter, because he'd allowed no other hits and just two other baserunners (a walk, and a hit batter).</p>
<p id="POlYdp">I've seen scoring decisions changed during games before, maybe an inning or two later. I've heard about scoring decisions changed when games are over, often reducing pitchers' ERAs.</p>
<p id="d0kZvl">But I've never seen one that created an instant no-hit bid with the pitcher suddenly needing to record only nine outs to get it. I have watched this play several times and every time I look again, I think, "Hit." Bryant waved at it, but never appeared to touch it. <a href="http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/8878972/v267897083/?cid=atl">Here, have a look</a> (at the time I wrote this recap, MLB wasn't allowing an embed of the video). You make the call -- vote in the poll.</p>
<p id="F2T5Er"><a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=350718115">Here is what Wilkinson said</a> about his changed call:</p>
<blockquote><p id="YFbao6">“I just wanted to make the right call,” Wilkinson said. “It wasn’t like I was thinking or even saying to myself, ‘My God, this guy’s got a no-hitter going. I could have blown this for him.’”</p></blockquote>
<p id="mLpa6k">The article says Wilkinson didn't even realize it would have created a no-hitter. Maybe, but if he had been that concerned about it, why did he wait six innings before changing the call?</p>
<p id="o859YE">Anyway, Lester went out for the seventh with a no-hitter going, but had no idea it was happening at the time:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" id="NFJqUq"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a> Lester didn't know he had a no-no until he was on deck to bat in 8th and looked at scoreboard</p>— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/622604122987057153">July 19, 2015</a> </blockquote>
<p id="OD3nYW"><script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p id="PnQ5iC">He retired all three batters in that seventh inning without incident, and was sitting at 97 pitches beginning the eighth, six outs to go for his second career no-no (the other: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS200805190.shtml" target="_blank">May 19, 2008</a> against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a>).</p>
<p id="0khCSs">You could have guessed who the villain would be, right? <span>A.J. Pierzynski</span> lined Lester's second pitch of the eighth inning into right field, a clean single. They say official scorers like the first hit of the game to be clean, so there's no question about it, particularly late in the game. Lester retired the next hitter, but when <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> also singled, putting the tying run on base, Joe Maddon lifted him, 110 pitches into his best outing as a Cub -- whether the first hit was in the first inning or the eighth.</p>
<p id="74pKvp">About that out recorded after A.J.'s single, it was on a really nice running catch by <span>Dexter Fowler</span> on a ball hit by <span>Juan Uribe</span> that appeared headed to the gap for extra bases -- the kind of play that people would have talked about for a very long time if the no-hitter had been intact. Many no-nos have excellent defensive plays like that one.</p>
<p id="7PUo2U">Truth be told, Lester has been looking like the pitcher the Cubs hoped they were getting last offseason since the middle of June. Apart from a clunker against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, he's been excellent over his last seven starts covering 45⅔ innings. He's posted a 1.97 ERA and 0.854 WHIP over that span, with just one home run allowed and 46 strikeouts. That's really good and gives the Cubs three excellent starters at the top of their rotation. Keep up the good work, Jon.</p>
<p id="M17Dgp"><span>Hector Rondon</span> retired the only two batters he faced to finish the eighth without the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> scoring. <span>Jason Motte</span>, who entered the game in the ninth after the Cubs had scored a pair to put him out of a save situation, issued a two-out walk but otherwise completed the victory without incident.</p>
<p id="yEztbx">The Cubs' offense struggled to get going, again. Bryant singled with two out in the third and took third when an attempted pickoff throw went wild. <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> singled him in for a 1-0 Cubs lead, which they extended to 2-0 in the fourth on a double by <span>Chris Denorfia</span> and single by <span>Starlin Castro</span>.</p>
<p id="EPQgij">This one could have been the Cubs' fourth straight game of three or fewer runs, but they took advantage of some sloppy Atlanta defense in the ninth to score a pair. Uribe's wild throw on a potential double-play ball by Bryant allowed Fowler to score, and Bryant took third, where he scored on another single by Rizzo. The Cubs did leave nine men on base, so they could have scored more, but did go 3-for-5 with RISP. Baby steps, right?</p>
<p id="w8TKch">The win evened the series, and with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a>' loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>, the Cubs gained a game on them and now trail by 4½ games. They also kept their one-game lead for the second wild card spot, now ahead of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> lost Saturday and so the Cubs now lead them by two games.</p>
<p id="ozNk8M">A series win is again possible Sunday, with <span>Jake Arrieta</span> facing <span>Shelby Miller</span>. The game has a somewhat unusual starting time: 4:05 CT. The game preview will post at 2 p.m. CT.</p>
<div id="XD0xLL"><div data-anthem-component="poll:5460551"></div></div>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/7/19/8999951/cubs-braves-recap-jon-lester-aj-pierzynski-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2015-07-18T20:55:02-05:002015-07-18T20:55:02-05:00Overflow Thread 3: Cubs vs. Braves, Saturday 7/18
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<figcaption>Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/7/18/8962107/overflow-thread-3-cubs-vs-braves-saturday-7-18-6-10-ctAl Yellon2015-07-18T20:10:02-05:002015-07-18T20:10:02-05:00Overflow Thread 2: Cubs vs. Braves, Saturday 7/18
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<figcaption>Scott Cunningham/Getty Images</figcaption>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/7/18/8962115/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-braves-saturday-7-18-6-10-ctAl Yellon2015-07-18T19:10:02-05:002015-07-18T19:10:02-05:00Overflow Thread 1: Cubs vs. Braves, Saturday 7/18
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<figcaption>Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/7/18/8962141/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-braves-saturday-7-18-6-10-ctAl Yellon2015-07-18T16:00:03-05:002015-07-18T16:00:03-05:00Cubs vs. Braves Preview, Saturday 7/18, 6:10 CT
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<figcaption>Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs look to even up their series in Atlanta tonight.</p> <p>Hey, the honest truth is: I got in from Lansing about an hour before this preview was scheduled to post, was able to get the lineups in for you, but don't really have anything else to say about tonight's game. Go Cubs, and stay safe if you're in the Chicago area because strong storms could happen just about any time this evening.</p>
<p>Here are today's particulars.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
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<pre>Fowler CF, Bryant 3B, Rizzo 1B, Soler RF, Denorfia LF, Castro SS, Ross C, Lester P, Russell 2B</pre>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/JLester34">@JLester34</a> takes the mound for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a> tonight in Atlanta. Game preview: <a href="http://t.co/EhKltSstDv">http://t.co/EhKltSstDv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGo?src=hash">#LetsGo</a> <a href="http://t.co/2KjZUmbZGM">pic.twitter.com/2KjZUmbZGM</a></p>
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/622485087628603392">July 18, 2015</a>
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<p>Braves lineup:</p>
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<pre>Peterson 2B, Maybin CF, Markakis RF, Gomes LF, C. Johnson 1B, Pierzynski C, Uribe 3B, Simmons SS, Banuelos P</pre>
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<h2><i>Today's Starting Pitchers</i></h2>
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<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7790" target="newwindow"><img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3461766/GettyImages_464964726.0.jpg" alt="Jon Lester" height="480" border="1" width="320"></a><br><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7790" target="newwindow"> </a> <center>
<h2><span>Jon Lester</span></h2>
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<h2>Cubs</h2>
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<td align="center" width="10%">vs.</td>
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<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8865" target="newwindow"><img src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3882008/mannybanuelos.0.jpg" alt="Manny Banuelos" height="480" border="1" width="320"></a><br><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8865" target="newwindow">
<h2>Manny Banuelos</h2>
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<h2>Braves</h2>
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<td class="yspscores" align="center"><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp?playerId=28487" target="newwindow"><center>
<h2>vs. Atl</h2>
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<td class="yspscores" align="center">--</td>
<td class="yspscores" align="center"><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp?playerId=31123" target="newwindow">
<h2>vs. Cubs</h2>
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<p><span>Jon Lester</span> faced the Braves twice last year, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL201405270.shtml" target="_blank">May 27 while with Boston</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL201408170.shtml" target="_blank">August 17 while with Oakland</a>. Both games were in Atlanta, but are largely irrelevant because of the massive roster changes the Braves have had. The current Brave Lester has faced most is <span>Nick Markakis</span>, from their time in the A.L. East. Markakis is 17-for-73 (.233) against Lester with six doubles.</p>
<p>Really, it's just time for Lester to step up and pitch better. It's just that simple.</p>
<p><span>Manny Banuelos</span> was once a top-30 MLB prospect, but that was three years ago when he was in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> organization. He came to the Braves in a trade that sent <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carpeda01.shtml">David Carpenter</a> to New York. He seems to have found himself again, throwing quite well at Triple-A Gwinnett and very well in two big-league starts this year. He has never faced the Cubs or anyone on the current roster.</p>
<p>Incidentally, the David Carpenter who the Braves traded to the Yankees is not the same <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carpeda02.shtml" target="_blank">David Carpenter</a> who the Braves acquired about two weeks after they traded the first one last winter.</p>
<p>The first one is now on the Nationals, having been traded there by the Yankees last month. The second one, the Braves designated for assignment on Friday. Too confusing, I'm guessing.</p>
<p>Today's game is on ABC7 Chicago. <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/chc/downloads/y2015/chc_ota_schedule.pdf" target="_blank">For coverage info in other Midwest markets click here</a> (link opens .pdf).</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?ymd=20140401#date=7/18/2015">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2015_07_18_chnnmlb_atlmlb_1#game=2015_07_18_chnmlb_atlmlb_1,game_state=Live">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/CHC.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/483534/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p>Please visit our SB Nation <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> site <a target="_blank" href="http://www.talkingchop.com">Talking Chop</a>. If you do go there to interact with Braves fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p>The 2015 Game Thread procedure has changed a bit. Here's how it will work going forward.</p>
<p>You'll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).</p>
<p>At the same time, a StoryStream™ containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.</p>
<p>You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/game-threads">this section link</a>). They will also appear in the game's StoryStream™ as noted above.</p>
<p>The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p>Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/7/18/8936671/chicago-cubs-atlanta-braves-preview-saturdayAl Yellon