4/30 CHC @ PIT 6:05 p.m.; TV: WCIU, Radio: WGN

[ryno4ever]

Hill (3-1, 1.57)

VS

Duke (1-2, 6.92 )


Things to watch:
Aramis Ramirez is one home run away (125) from tying Andy Pafko (126) for number 13 on the All Time Cubs Home Run Leaders.

Derrek Lee is one home run away (87) from tying Randy Jackson (88) on the same list.

With a .391 batting average, Lee has the chance to post the second best batting average by a Cub in the Month of April in the last 50 years (since monthly stats are available starting in 1957).... the first place player that he has a chance of beating? Derrek Lee in April of 2005 with a .419 batting average! :D

Also to watch with Lee: he has reached base safely in his first 23 games played this season, hitting safely in 21 of those games. Since 1960, no Cub has reached base in his first 23 games of the season.... the last Cub to reach base safely in 24 games in a row was Aramis Ramirez from September 2-27. 2003.

DeRosa has a 10 game hit streak going...
Soriano has a 9 game hitting streak going

Cub relievers have stranded their last 23 inherited runners dating back to April 13, and the Cubs bullpen is the only one in the majors that hasn't recorded a win this season.

Soriano needs 1 more double to reach the 250 Double milestone

At PNC park....
Jones hits .444 with 9 at bats
Soriano hits .636 with 11 at bats (2 home runs)
Theriot hist .455 with 11 at bats

Cubs vs Zach Duke:
Cedeno bats .438 with 16 at bats
Murton bats .529 with 17 at bats (1 home run)
Soriano bats .400 witih 5 at bats

It's almost time to play ball.....

[CUBScrazy22]

Can't wait! :D

[ryno4ever]

Cubs Lineup:

Soriano LF
The Riot ss
Lee 1B
Ram 3B
The Big Murt RF
Barrett C
DeRosa 2B (or Poundarosa as my son calls him)
Pie CF
Hill P

[ryno4ever]

Lisa...you guy is on the hill... are you pumped?

[ryno4ever]

sorry, no pun intended on that one :)

[CUBScrazy22]

I love our line-up tonight! Thats how it should be every game.

[ryno4ever]

Duke is a Cub Killer, though...they have to play good ball tonight.

[CUBScrazy22]

Lisa...you guy is on the hill... are you pumped?

Of course! :D Let's hope he has his ace pitching...and takes his hat off. ;)

[ryno4ever]

Of course! :D Let's hope he has his ace pitching...and takes his hat off. ;)

LOL... it's so hot out, that he would probably have a major case of hat head!

[CUBScrazy22]

Duke is a Cub Killer, though...they have to play good ball tonight.

I remember Pat and Ron always get confused...Zach Duke or Duke Zach! Do you know when Ron comes back? I hope soon...poor guy. :(

[ryno4ever]

I think they said Ron should be back when the Cubs come home.

[CUBScrazy22]

LOL... it's so hot out, that he would probably have a major case of hat head!

Ooooh la la, hat hair totally works for him! Good thing I'm not the camrea person because all you'd be seeing is him pitching or with no hat on in the dugout.

[VanMan]

I just remembered that the game started right now, so I just turned on my radio.

[ryno4ever]

I just watched ESPN's pregame show, they are covering the Cardinals/Brewers game. It is very sad...they have Hancock's jersey hanging up in the dugout. They said Jason Isringhausen is being very protective of his bullpen pitchers protecting them from the media, and the Cardinals wouldn't let anyone in the clubhouse before the game. Even sadder, is ex-Cardinal Jeff Suppan is pitching for the Brewers tonight. Surely to be an emotional game.

[ARamfan]

Hi girls! This ought to be a good game especially with Rich pitching! :D

[ryno4ever]

Hi there, Mara!

[VanMan]

Soriano is battling with Duke, that is before he grounds to short.

[ryno4ever]

The RIOT is up.... :) I like this kid!

[VanMan]

Hi girls! This ought to be a good game especially with Rich pitching! :D
Girls? What am I, chopped liver?

[VanMan]

Sanchez just lept and caught a soft liner from Theriot.

[VanMan]

Lee just got one off the left-center fence, just missed a home run as he hit it off the taller part of the wall.

[ryno4ever]

Off the walll... I can't wait until Pat can say.... "It's Outta Here!"

[VanMan]

Ramirez gets an RBI single to left to drive in Lee. It's 1-0 Cubs already!

[VanMan]

Pat just said this is the best time to get Duke. He's vulnerable in the first.

[ryno4ever]

Girls? What am I, chopped liver?

Sorry! Hi, Van Man, I wasn't paying attention as to who was on the thread until I saw your Soriano update!

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Nice to see the bats coming alive. This is the team that wins!!

[VanMan]

Murton grounds out to Duke to retire the side.

Middle 1st, Cubs 1, Pirates coming up

[ryno4ever]

King of the Hill time!

[ryno4ever]

Here's a bit of in between innings trivia.... of the 111 runs scored by the Cubs in April so far, 21 have been scored in the first inning!

[ARamfan]

Girls? What am I, chopped liver?

No, of course not! You showed up while I was busy typing my post. Glad to see you VanMan! :)

[ryno4ever]

I never thought that the majority of the Cubs runs would come through playing small ball!

[ryno4ever]

Let's not walk the leadoff hitter, Hill!!!!!

[VanMan]

Duffy flies out to Pie to start the bottom of the first.

[ARamfan]

Isn't it strange to see all of those empty seats in the background? Quite a bit different than a game at Wrigley.

[VanMan]

Wilson flies to Soriano off a 3-1 pitch. Two out.

[VanMan]

I wouldn't know about the empty seats. I don't get WCIU.

[CUBScrazy22]

Freddy Sanchez infield hit.

[VanMan]

Sanchez grounds to Theriot, but he can't make the play. Infield hit with two out.

[CUBScrazy22]

After 1: Cubs 1, Pirates 0.

[VanMan]

Bay pops out to the shallow outfield. No damage off the two-out infield single.

End 1st, Cubs 1, Pirates 0

[ryno4ever]

I can't watch the game either.... blacked out on mlb.tv, and dont' get WCIU.
I have the Cardinals game on my mlb.tv and WGN radio going for the Cubs.

[VanMan]

Barrett leading off the second, trying to improve on his 0-for-10 against Duke.

[VanMan]

Barrett strikes out on a 3-2 change. One out.

[CUBScrazy22]

Barrett strikes out. 1 out in the top of the 2nd.

[ARamfan]

I've got it on mlb.tv. I think I've been able to get every game on mlb.tv so far.

[VanMan]

DeRosa grounds out to Sanchez for the second out.

[VanMan]

I've got it on mlb.tv. I think I've been able to get every game on mlb.tv so far.
That's because you're in Arizona, out of the Cubs' market.

[VanMan]

Pie singles to left. Two out and Hill coming up.

[CUBScrazy22]

Glad Felix is okay after fouling it off his leg.

[VanMan]

Hill hits one down the left-field line. Pie reaches third, Hill tried for second. The throw to second is dropped by Sanchez. Pie scores on the play. Hill is OK after the slide. 2-0 Cubs!

[ryno4ever]

for those wondering... Milwaukee is up 2-0 in the first inning. Kip Wells is struggling to find the strike zone for the Cardinals.

[CUBScrazy22]

WWWOOOOOOOO WWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO! That's my boy! 2-0, Rich Hill doubles to bring in Pie. :D

[VanMan]

Soriano just got a bast hit to left on one hop. Hill can't get a good jump and holds at third. He's doubled over at third, and pointed back at second. He may have hurt something there. First and third with Theriot up.

[VanMan]

Theriot grounds to Bautista to end the inning. Another run on three hits and an error, two left.

Middle 2, Cubs 2, Pirates 0

Anyone OK if we start to build a picket fence on the scoreboard?

[ARamfan]

WWWOOOOOOOO WWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOO! That's my boy! 2-0, Rich Hill doubles to bring in Pie. :D

Yeah! How about that Rich Hill! :D

[VanMan]

Doumit got hit on a 3-2 pitch. Not a good way to start. Let's hope it wasn't an afteraffect of the slide at second.

[VanMan]

Bautista pops to Pie in shallow center. One down, Doumit remains at first.

[VanMan]

Doumit stole second on a 2-2 pitch that missed the zone to LaRoche.

[VanMan]

LaRoche got fooled big time on the next pitch, swung and missed, strike three. Two down.

[CUBScrazy22]

That ptich was a beauty.

[bringbacktuffy]

I was questioning whether or not hill had his stuff tonight but he dropped the hammer on that K whats up everybody?

[ryno4ever]

Hi tuffy!

[ryno4ever]

I wish I could watch this game!!!!!!

[VanMan]

Paulino grounds to Ramirez weakly, the HBP doesn't come back to haunt Hill.

End 2nd, Cubs 2, Pirates 0

[VanMan]

I wish I could watch this game!!!!!!
Listening to Pat and Dave is just as good.

[bringbacktuffy]

that was a good, non highlight reel play by aram, catching and throwing on the move. solid, his defense has really improved, i dont care what anyone says

[ryno4ever]

Well.... listening to Pat.... Dave Otto kinda makes me sleepy!

[bringbacktuffy]

Listening to Pat and Dave is just as good.

Somehow I doubt that

[VanMan]

Lee grounds to short, Wilson able to throw him out on the first pitch.

[ryno4ever]

another "just missed" home run! UGH

[bringbacktuffy]

Aram hammered that ball!!

[VanMan]

Ramirez hits one to left-center that bounces over the wall for a rule-book double. In another park, that'd be a homer. Dave just said Ramirez is locked into the low pitch nowadays.

[CUBScrazy22]

I wish I could watch this game!!!!!!

They all look great tonight! The tans are coming in now that its getting warmer. :D

[ryno4ever]

LOL, Lisa!

[VanMan]

Murton, coming in 9-for-17 against Duke, chopped to Wilson, who is able to bare-hand and throw out Murton while Ramirez advanced to third.

[VanMan]

Barrett nearly got a hit down the left-field line, but hooked foul. That would have broken his schnide against Duke.

[VanMan]

Barrett worked the count full. Then he pops to shallow center. Duffy is able to retire him. Ramirez's double goes arry.

Middle 3rd, Cubs 2, Pirates 0

[ryno4ever]

i hate when they leave a man 90 feet from home plate!!!!! :(

[VanMan]

i hate when they leave a man 90 feet from home plate!!!!! :(
I hear ya. Let's hope Hill can continue his good pitching.

[VanMan]

Duke leads off the bottom of the third. Theriot fields a hopper over Hill to retire the opposing pitcher.

[VanMan]

Duffy stuck out on a beautiful curve ball swinging.

[bringbacktuffy]

you know, I'm actually rooting for the cards tonight.

[VanMan]

Wilson hits a solid single to left. One on, two out, Sanchez coming up.

[ARamfan]

you know, I'm actually rooting for the cards tonight.

I know what you mean. Me too! ;)

[VanMan]

Sanchez grounds up the middle, fielded by DeRosa, who steps on second for the U4 FC.

End 3rd, Cubs 2, Pirates 0

[CUBScrazy22]

Heather, DeRosa looks like he got a haircut and is looking a little more Todd Walker than Ben Affleck tonight, in my opinion.

Len said that Ted Lilly used one of DeRosa's bats today during BP and broke it.

[Drockvb]

I wish we could swindle Jack Wilson away from the Pirates. :D

[VanMan]

DeRosa leads off the 4th. Wilson fields a ground to retire DeRosa with another bare-hand pick-up.

[ryno4ever]

you know, I'm actually rooting for the cards tonight.

I think just about everyone in baseball is...but they aren't playing very well tonight, which is understood. Kip Wells (cards pitcher) even balked in a run. They are down 3-1 in the top of the 3rd. Spezio was originally in the starting lineup, but right before the game told LaRussa he wasn't ready. It is a very somber atmosphere in Milwaukee tonight.

Gosh, I never EVER thought I would say I was rooting for the Cardinals! I even rooted against them in the World Series... but tonight, I am rooting for the Cardinals.

[ryno4ever]

Heather, DeRosa looks like he got a haircut and is looking a little more Todd Walker than Ben Affleck tonight, in my opinion.

Len said that Ted Lilly used one of DeRosa's bats today during BP and broke it.

That's not nice to tell me now.... I can't see the tv!!!!! I'll watch the replay once the game is over!:p

[VanMan]

Pie grounds out to LaRoche.

[VanMan]

Hill strikes out to end the inning.

Middle 4th, Cubs 2, Pirates 0

[ryno4ever]

Congrats Van... that was your 1000th post! YEAH!!!!!!!

[ARamfan]

Congrats, VanMan! You made it to MVP! :cool:

[VanMan]

Bay grounded out to Theriot, then Doumit doubles to left.

[ryno4ever]

doumitt is hitting us hard tonight!

[VanMan]

Congrats, VanMan! You made it to MVP! :cool:
I didn't notice that!

[ryno4ever]

Fielder just hit a homer off Kip Wells... Brewers up 4-1

[VanMan]

Bautista pops to DeRosa in shallow right for the second out. Doumit stays at second.

[VanMan]

LaRoche hits a basehit to right field to drive in Doumit. Cubs now up only 2-1.

[ryno4ever]

Let's get that run back...and some!

[CUBScrazy22]

That's not nice to tell me now.... I can't see the tv!!!!! I'll watch the replay once the game is over!:p

Didn't want to keep you in suspense. ;)

[VanMan]

Paulino grounds out to retire the side.

End 4th, Cubs 2, Pirates 1

[CUBScrazy22]

Hopefully Rich got it out of his system.

[VanMan]

Alfonso just struck out to start the 5th.

[ryno4ever]

We need a momentum changer right about now.

[VanMan]

Theriot walks on a 3-1 pitch. One on, one out for Lee.

[ryno4ever]

A walk might do it...did I mention I like this kid (The RIOT?)

[VanMan]

Lee grounds to Duke. They try to turn two, but Theriot beat the throw to second. Lee is out 1-4-3.

[VanMan]

A walk might do it...did I mention I like this kid (The RIOT?)
I think you did... several times!

[VanMan]

Ramirez grounds to Wilson to retire the side. Cubs get a walk and nothing else.

Middle 5th, Cubs 2, Pirates 0

[ARamfan]

A walk might do it...did I mention I like this kid (The RIOT?)

Is he going to be your boy now, Heather? :D

[VanMan]

Duke starts the bottom of the 5th. He struck out swinging.

[VanMan]

Duffy grounds to Hill for the second out.

[VanMan]

Wilson, 1-for-2 entering the AB, lines to Ramirez right at his shins to retire the side, 1-2-3.

End 5th, Cubs 2, Pirates 1

[VanMan]

This game has gone a bit quick. Only 1 hour and 15 minutes go to through five innings.

[VanMan]

Top of the sixth, Murton leading off. He grounds into the hole, but Wilson is able to glove, throw and get Murton.

[CUBScrazy22]

Great catch by your guy, Mara! :D

[VanMan]

Barrett grounds to Wilson for the second out. He's been pretty busy tonight.

[CUBScrazy22]

I hate quick ball games, but at least we're winning!

[VanMan]

And then DeRosa lines to Doumit. A bit of a pitcher's duel brewing now through 5 1/2.

Middle 6th, Cubs 2, Pirates 1

[VanMan]

Sanchez leads off the bottom of the sixth. He lines a base hit to right field, one on for Bay.

[ARamfan]

Great catch by your guy, Mara! :D

Thanks. He just gets better and better! It would be nice to see him get a gold glove this year. :cool: (I'm assuming he'll be deserving of it).

[VanMan]

Bay lines softly to DeRosa. An attempt to double off Sanches is not in time.

[VanMan]

Doumit grounds to Ramirez, to DeRosa for one, to Lee for two to end the inning on the around-the-horn DP!

End 6th, Cubs 2, Pirates 1

[ryno4ever]

Is he going to be your boy now, Heather? :D

hmmmm, it's a tossup, but he's one of my top picks! I don't remember when they showed him (spring training, maybe), he had his son in the dugout with him, and he is a mini-Ryan! Too adorable!

[VanMan]

Pie to lead off the 7th. He bunts, Bautista able to glove it and throw out Pie.

[VanMan]

Hill strikes out swinging on a low-outside curve. Soriano up next with two out.

[VanMan]

Soriano smokes a two-out single up the middle.

[VanMan]

Theriot coaxes a two-out walk. Now first and second, two out for Lee.

[ryno4ever]

I'd love to see Lee knock one out RIGHT NOW!

[VanMan]

Lee bounced to Wilson at short up the middle, tried to throw to first, but LaRoche can't handle it. Everyone safe! Bases loaded for Ramirez!!!!

[VanMan]

Duke is through, but is responsible for all three runners. Jonah Bayliss is coming in from the Pirate pen.

[ARamfan]

Lee bounced to Wilson at short up the middle, tried to throw to first, but LaRoche can't handle it. Everyone safe! Bases loaded for Ramirez!!!!

This is looking promising since Rammy usually does really well against his former team.

[VanMan]

Ramirez greets the new pitcher looking to add an insurance tally. Swings at a curve and missed. He fouled one away, 0-2. He takes a high fastball for a ball, 1-2. Another foul. Low to make it 2-2. The next pitch is popped to shallow left to Bay. They leave 'em loaded.

Middle 7th, Cubs 2, Pirates 1

I hope that doesn't come back to haunt us late.

[VanMan]

Bautista leads off the bottom of the 7th. He works the count full. He then coaxes a walk. Ohman and Howry (it sounded like) now get moving in the pen.

[VanMan]

LaRoche swings and misses at strike three on a breaking ball! One out!

[VanMan]

Paulino flies to left center, Soriano can't get it, a run-scoring double to tie the game at two.

[ARamfan]

Bautista leads off the bottom of the 7th. He works the count full. He then coaxes a walk. Ohman and Howry (it sounded like) now get moving in the pen.

I thought they said Wuertz and Ohman. And Howry available. What are the chances we'll just see Wuertz and Dempster? Ohman still scares me. :eek:

[VanMan]

Brad Eldred pinch hits for Bayliss. He swings and misses on a 1-2 to strike out. Two down for Duffy with a runner on second. Wuertz and Ohman are ready in the pen.

[ryno4ever]

I hope that doesn't come back to haunt us late.

Ummmmm, yep.:eek:

[VanMan]

I thought they said Wuertz and Ohman. And Howry available. What are the chances we'll just see Wuertz and Dempster? Ohman still scares me. :eek:
Well, I have the TV on ABC, Dancing with the Stars, so I might've misheard.

[ryno4ever]

Ohman and Wuertz are both ready in the pen if needed.... yep, Ohman is pretty scary... OHHHH MAN!

[VanMan]

Duffy worked the count full after going 1-2. He then takes a curve for a called strike three to end the inning with no further damage.

End 7th, Cubs 2, Pirates 2

[VanMan]

Ohman and Wuertz are both ready in the pen if needed.... yep, Ohman is pretty scary... OHHHH MAN!
Yeah, why do we have a relief pitcher whose name can be spelled "Oh, MAN!!!"?

[VanMan]

Murton to lead off the 8th, and he'll face Matt Capps. He chops slowly to Bautista, who gloves and throws to LaRoche to retire him.

[VanMan]

Barrett lines a base hit with one out for DeRosa.

[VanMan]

DeRosa hits one off Capps, over to Sanchez, who's able to flip it LaRoche to get him in time. Two down. Barrett over to second.

[VanMan]

Pie grounds to Sanchez to end the inning. No runs, one hit, one left.

Middle 8th, Cubs 2, Pirates 2

[VanMan]

Wuertz comes in to pitch, Jones on a double switch goes to right field for Murton. Hill gets a no decision tonight.

[VanMan]

Wilson up, who bounces back to Wuertz for the first out.

[VanMan]

Only 11,437 paid tonight at PNC Park.

[VanMan]

Sanchez flies deep to left, but Soriano is able to make the catch against the wall for the second out.

[VanMan]

Bay hits a home run over Jones. Pirates take the lead 3-2! If Ronnie was on the radio, we'd hear a "Gosh!" right now.

[VanMan]

Doumit nearly goes back-to-back, but Jones flags it down on the warning track.

End 8th, Pirates 3, Cubs 2

Due up: Jacque Jones, Alfonso Soriano and Ryan Theriot.

[ARamfan]

Only 11,437 paid tonight at PNC Park.

Like I said in the beginning of this thread, the place looked empty. You could see a LOT of empty green seats when the camera panned the audience.

[VanMan]

Jones comes up against Solomon Torrez. He's squandered three saves in 10 chances.

[CUBScrazy22]

Well, I have the TV on ABC, Dancing with the Stars, so I might've misheard.

I'm flipping between that and the game. I'd like to see Billy Ray or Apollo win it.

[VanMan]

Jones bounces to Wilson for the first out.

[ryno4ever]

rally cap time! uggggggggggggggggggggggg

[ryno4ever]

Come on Fonzi...time for a homer!

[VanMan]

Soriano flies to center, Duffy squeezes it for the second out.

[ryno4ever]

down to the last out.... our winning streak may be over, thanks to the bullpen

[VanMan]

Theriot is the last chance currently for the Cubs, but Lee is on deck.

[VanMan]

Theriot walks! Lee gets a chance to bat!

[ryno4ever]

please hit a homer...please hit a homer... please hit a homer

[ryno4ever]

ho hum

[CUBScrazy22]

0-6 now in 1 run games. :(

Final: Cubs 2, Pirates 3.

[VanMan]

Lee drives to right center, but Duffy is able to haul in the ball to end the game. :(

Final score, Pirates 3, Cubs 2

W - Capps (2-0)
L - Wuertz (0-1)
S - Torres (8)

[Drockvb]

0-6 now in 1 run games. :(

not good. This has been the trend for about 2 years now.

[CUBScrazy22]

I feel sick...it's either eating too many chocolate doughnuts after dinner or this loss.

[ARamfan]

It's a shame for Hill. :(

[ryno4ever]

The Bullpen.....<sighs>

[CUBScrazy22]

It's a shame for Hill. :(

I hate it when well-pitched games end in no decisions, but on the bright side, he didn't get the loss.

[VanMan]

I think the key to the game was the fact that Ramirez couldn't get an RBI with the bases loaded. Of course, there were two out, but you have to get that clutch run to win the game. And then, Wuertz just had the one mistake in the 8th that lost it.

[bringbacktuffy]

Wuertz was lucky that the bucs didnt go back to back to back. he was hanging sliders left and right, Bay just happened to hit one harder than anyone else. But yes, once again, the lack of clutch hitting killed us again. When the staff only gives up 3 runs, you cant put the blame solely on them. The offense could have put it out of reach in the first, second and the 7th, and so on.

[Bockstock]

It's a shame for Hill. :(

Hill did walk the leadoff guy in the 7th

not too many good things can come of that

[CubsFan23]

Hill did walk the leadoff guy in the 7th

not too many good things can come of that

Although it was his only walk of the game, which is encouraging. But as you said leadoff walks always have a way of coming back to haunt you.

[Bockstock]

Although it was his only walk of the game, which is encouraging. But as you said leadoff walks always have a way of coming back to haunt you.

I couldn't watch the game because of where I live, but I also don't understand why didn't Lou bring in a righty to face Paulino.

Oh well, still got a chance to take 2/3