Milton Bradley delivered his first Cub hit of the season, a home run, in the 4th to make it a 2-1 game. Koyie Hill launched a go ahead long ball in the 6th to make it 3-2, and the Cubs were looking good.
Going to the bottom of the 9th, the Cubs were on the verge of a victory. However, Kevin Gregg blew the save by allowing a double to tie the game. Then there were guys on the corners, 1 out, and there was a ground ball hit to third. It appeared Theriot could have turned an inning ending double play, but instead he tried to throw the guy out at home plate. Rickie Weeks was called safe on a close play and the Brewers won the game. Koyie Hill slammed the ball down and yelled at home plate umpire Jim Reynolds, but the call obviously was not changed.
I'm not feeling too good about our bullpen situation right now. Kevin Gregg has not impressed me in either save chance, even though he did have a great spring. Carlos Marmol is actually very wild and inconsistent. He has nasty stuff but when he starts pitching poorly, he's nowhere near the plate. Aaron Heilman is not the greatest setup man in the world, and I don't have a lot of faith in Neal Cotts as our only lefty in the pen. David Patton has never piched higher than Class A until now, and Angel Guzman has had injury problems and isn't proven in the majors either. Luis Vizcaino isn't exactly a lights out guy... at all! And by the way, Samardzija had a bad spring and pitched poorly in his first outing at AAA this year. What a mess!
The other thing today was obviously Theriot's glove. He made a costly error in the first inning, and made a decision that cost the Cubs the game in the 9th. The-Riot is not the best defensive short stop in the world, but I'm still a big fan. However, it did kind of remind me of Ronny Cedeno playing short today.
Game Highlight: Koyie Hill's go ahead two run homer in the 6th. Henry, who?
My Player of the Game: Bradley for his first home run and first hit of the season.
Up Next: Game 2 of the series tomorrow night at 6:00 PM CT on CSN and WGN Radio. Zambrano VS Dave Bush.
Frustrating game! So here's a few more thoughts:
- If the Cubs make a big trade, it should be for a lights out closer not a starter.
- Even if they can't get a lights out closer, we need to bring in some solid relief help.
- Derrek Lee should not be hitting 3rd.
- Milton Bradley is hitting under .100 and needs to get his bat going. Even though I gave him the player of the game for his home run today, he still didn't have a great game.
- Rich Harden didn't do that poorly, just made one mistake and had some bad defense behind him.
- The Cubs batting order should be as follows: Soriano, Theriot, Ramirez, Bradley, Soto (when back), Fontenot, Lee, Kosuke. I still really like Lee, but I think he would make the lineup better at the bottom.
- Lou didn't manage very well today.
We'll try again tomorrow night!
DLEE LOOKS HORRIBLE!!!! They need to put him on the bench.
ReplyDeleteRich Harden gave up a home run to Corey Hart but before he did that he staruck him out with the ball down the plated but the ump missed that. When the heat comes the bats will start getting hot. Closersd that might be available at the deadline are Huston Street George Sherill Francisco Cordero Jose Valverde Bobby Jenks, those are some names.
ReplyDeleteCotts suck
Marshall didnt throw all season
Gregg more of a set up man not closer
Heilman did fine
Vizcaino did better than all spring
Tanner... I wouldn't put Lee on the bench just yet. Remember it's only 4 games so far.
ReplyDeleteWaldo-
*Harden did do fine.
**good list of closers. I'd sure like to add Valverde or Street or any of them.
***Just because Heilman and Vizcaiono did fine in 1 game doesn't mean we should feel that great with them as our setup men.
**** What does Marshall not throwing all season have to do with anything?
he is a starter and not a relief, he did not get alot of time to warm up. I wish that lee could play the Field and Hoff hit. You cant take lee out because he saves so much errors for his fielsers.
ReplyDeleteDont forget about Kerry Wood, just have to mention him.
Harden look healthu and pitch hard and fast, if he can do that all season he will be a 15 gsme winner, all star over 200 K's and an era in the 2's.