8/7 CHC @ HOU 7:05 p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: WGN

[VanMan]

Well, the Cubs are making things difficult so far for Woody Williams. Theriot walked on four pitches, Fontenot had a broken bat Texas Leaguer, Lee walked on four pitches, Floyd almost hit a grand slam into the Crawford boxes before walking on a full-count slider. It's 1-0 already, and we haven't had a hard-hit ball in play.

[VanMan]

DeRosa's up now, took the first two for strikes, then fouled one back. He's dangerous with bases loaded, batting around .452 with about 10 slams or so (I didn't catch all the graphic). He fouled one off his back knee, still 0-2. Williams puts one in the dirt, Ausmus blocks one off to the first-base side, all runners hold. DeRosa bounces one foul past third. Curve misses away, 2-2. Williams already has 25 pitches. Fastball waved at and missed for the first out.

[VanMan]

Jones swings at a hanging first pitch and softly lines it to Bruntlett for the second out.

[VanMan]

Kendall takes a breaker away for a strike. He's had an over .500 average vs. Williams. Takes a fastball inside, 1-1. He's .352 with a slam in his career with the sacks juiced. Another fastball inside, 2-1. Williams already has 30 pitches. Patterson is next. Fastball down the middle, 2-2. Kendall fouls one back out of play. Fastball in the dirt backhanded by Ausmus. Everyone will be moving on the pitch, full count. Ausmus and Williams discussing the strategy on the next pitch. Fastball inside is pulled foul, that could've been ball four. A flare to right, Berkman is there for the catch. One run, one hit, three walks, and the bases remain loaded.

Middle 1st, Cubs 1, Astros coming up

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

30+ pitches, 3 walks and 1 run!!! That is exactly how this team beats themselves. Lack of timely hitting, leaving runners in scoring position early in the game when you should be giving your pitcher a comfortable 3-4 run lead.

[VanMan]

Marshall toes the slab for the Cubs, his first pitch to Biggio is a ball low and away. A roller to third, DeRosa is there and makes the throw to first for the first out.

[VanMan]

Loretta is next, Marshall gets the first pitch over for a strike. Curve is upstairs, 1-1. Loretta golfs one foul to the right. Sinking fastball is high and away, 2-2. Another grounder to DeRosa, over to Lee for out number two.

[VanMan]

Berkman steps in. Marshall throws a fastball in the dirt, ball one. Off-speed pitch is swung on and missed, 1-1. Fly ball to center, Jones charges, then stops and is camped under it for the catch. Three up, three down for Marshall.

End 1st, Cubs 1, Astros 0

[CubsFan23]

That is a good sign a 1-2-3 inning for Marshall.

[CubsFan23]

Come on EPATT, show why they called you up.

[VanMan]

Patterson takes the first pitch for a ball, then fouls the next pitch. A fastball catches the knees for strike two. Change up is high, 2-2. A flare to left over the shortstop lands for E-Patt's first career base hit. It may look like a wounded duck in real life, but it'll look like a line-drive in the box score.

Marshall follows with a sacrifice bunt.

[CubsFan23]

Single for EPATT.

[VanMan]

Theriot with E-Patt in scoring position pops up in the infield, Loretta comes over to make the catch, two down.

[VanMan]

Fontenot takes a curveball inside, ball one. Font steps out while waiting for the 1-0 offering. Dribbler to Loretta to end the inning. One hit, one left.

Middle 2nd, Cubs 1, Astros 0

[CubsFan23]

Come on Woody threw 35 pitches in that first inning, why is Theriot swinging at the first freaking pitch.

[CubsFan23]

The guys are overeager only 9 pitches that inning with one hit. That is not patient hitting.

[VanMan]

El Caballo takes the first pitch low. A fastball is over the plate for strike one. Another pitch low, 2-1. A flare to right, Floyd comes in but has to play it on a bounce, base hit for Carlos Lee.

[CubsFan23]

Wiggington hits into a DP.

[VanMan]

Wigginton pops the first pitch behind the Astro dugout, Lee gives it a look but lets it go out of play. Ground ball to Theriot, over to Fontenot for one, relay to Lee... HE GOT 'IM! Double play! Phil Garner and Jose Cruz Sr. took a moment to discuss it, but not heatedly.

Jason Lane then gets a hold of the first pitch he sees over the railroad tracks in left for a solo homer. It's 1-1.

[ARamfan]

At least there were no Astros on base.

[VanMan]

Bruntlett takes the first two pitches out of the zone for balls. Fastball is over for strike one. Fouled off the screen, 2-2. Comebacker gets past Marshall and into center for a base hit.

[CubsFan23]

I was really praying for a SO tonight.

[CubsFan23]

Come on Sean settle down.

[VanMan]

At least there were no Astros on base.
True that.

Ausmus takes a ball low and in. Fastball over for strike one, 1-1. Curveball didn't break, stayed well outside, 2-1. They had Bruntlett picked off. Marshall throws to Lee, who tries to get Bruntlett at second, but Fontenot can't get it. Bruntlett tries to go to third, but Theriot backed up on the play. Bruntlett continues to be in the pickle as Theriot chases him to DeRosa, throws it to him, and DeRosa chases him back to Fontenot, who applies the tag. Stolen base, but retired 6-5-4.

End 2nd, Cubs 1, Astros 1

[roenick99]

Boy, aren't we lucky Bruntlett is an idiot and has the baserunning skills of the 2006 Cubs.

[VanMan]

Lee starts the third, and took two fastballs for strikes. He then takes the next two out of the zone away. Another one misses away, it's full. Fouled back to the screen. Fastball at the knees rings up Lee.

[CubsFan23]

About time a baserunning mistake went in our favor.

[VanMan]

Floyd fouls off the first pitch into the screen. Fastball away, 1-1. Grounder into the hole, Wigginton snares it, gets up, throw to Loretta, not in time! Infield single for Floyd.

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes a fastball inside, called strike one. Sinker in the dirt away, 1-1. Grounder into the hole, through into left for a base hit. Floyd advances and stays at second with one down.

[CubsFan23]

Now would be a good time for some timely hitting.

[roenick99]

So, I came on late. Is anyone else as annoyed as I am that they had the bases loaded with no outs in the first inning and couldn't score? I am pretty sure that there is nothing (short of a called third strike and swinging at the first pitch) that makes me madder. How are they 3rd in the league with RISP or something like that? Grrrr....

[CubsFan23]

JJ swings at a ball way outside and flys out.

[VanMan]

Jones takes an off-speed pitch inside, ball one. Fastball upstairs, ball two. Williams steps off the rubber and looks Floyd back to second. Jones swings and misses at a belt-high off-speed pitch, 2-1. Fouled off at the plate, 2-2. Williams spins and faints Floyd back to second. Foul ball back and to the left, out of play. Another foul ball back and out of play. Jones shoots one to left, didn't think he had it, it slices into the seats foul. Reached out on one, flies to left, Carlos Lee gets under it for the second out.

[VanMan]

Kendall takes the first pitch low and away, ball one. Another one outside, 2-0. Off-speed pitch catches the low-away corner, strike one. Sinker misses low and away, 3-1. Kendall takes a fastball away, ball four, bases loaded. Williams now up to 70 pitches on the night.

[CubsFan23]

Kendall walks bases loaded.

[CubsFan23]

Come on EPATT, let's get a bases loaded knock right here.

[VanMan]

Patterson takes a curve high, ball one. Fastball misses away, E-Patt with a good eye takes ball two. Fastball cut on and missed, 2-1. Foul off to the left, 2-2. Swing and a miss on a high fastball. No runs, two hits, a walk and the bases remain loaded again. Seven LOB so far.

Middle 3rd, Cubs 1, Astros 1

[CubsFan23]

EPATT strikes out. Bases left loaded for the second time in three innings! GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[VanMan]

Bottom third, Ausmus returns to the plate, takes a pitch low and in. Sinker catches the zone, strike one called. Fastball upstairs, 2-1. Grounder, gets under DeRosa, but Theriot is there to pick it up and throw to Lee for the out.

[VanMan]

Williams takes a strike. Another strike called on an off-speed pitch. Curve ball bounces, ball one. Curve ball misses high, 2-2. Williams swings and misses the gas, two down.

[VanMan]

Biggio takes a slider for strike one. Curve ball hangs, Biggio hits a liner toward left, but Theriot leaps and makes the snag to retire the side. A 1-2-3 inning for Marshall this time.

End 3rd, Cubs 1, Astros 1

[VanMan]

I agree with you guys. If the Cubs would've been able to get a clutch hit or two off Williams, this game would be a laugher right now. Marshall is on, Williams is struggling.

[VanMan]

Marshall takes a strike. He swings at a change and misses. High fastball checked and not offered, 1-2. Curve ball swung on and missed for the first out.

[VanMan]

Theriot takes a curve for a strike. He fouls one off to the right, 0-2. Fastball misses away, 1-2. Fastball catches the corner, called strike three.

[VanMan]

AFLAC trivia:

How many sets of brothers that have played for the Cubs can you name? (There are ten including the Pattersons.)

[CubsFan23]

Marshall has only 36 pitches in 3 innings that is excellent, minus the Lane HR.

[VanMan]

Fontenot takes the first two out of the zone, then fouls the next back and out of play. Fly ball, left-center, Lee waiting for it and makes the catch. A 1-2-3 inning for Williams, but he's now over 80 pitches through four.

Middle 4th, Cubs 1, Astros 1

[VanMan]

Marshall has only 36 pitches in 3 innings that is excellent, minus the Lane HR.
Yeah, just the one mistake. Thirty-five good pitches, one bad one.

[CubsFan23]

AFLAC trivia:

How many sets of brothers that have played for the Cubs can you name? (There are ten including the Pattersons.)


Wow good question!

[VanMan]

AFLAC answer:

Cocrans, Parrotts, Camps, Sauers, Coopers, Drakes, Breedens, Tyrones, Rueschels and Pattersons.

[VanMan]

Loretta takes a strike on the first pitch. Curve is grounded up the middle, it's slowed off the mound, Fontenot back hands it, flips it to Lee for the out.

[CubsFan23]

Williams may have found his groove with that 1-2-3 inning. I hope we do not regret leaving the basesloaded in the first and third.

[VanMan]

Berkman takes a curve inside. Tapper past the mound, Marshall can't get it, Lee fields it, flips to Marshall, who does a Texas Two-Step on the first base bag to get Berkman. He's not happy, replay makes it look close, but he drug the left foot across the bag like a WR on the sidelines.

[VanMan]

El Caballo checks and holds on a curve in the dirt. He takes a wicked cut that forced him to a knee and about 20 feet up the first-base line, 1-1. Cued to the right side, D-Lee fields it and flips to Marshall, who steps on the pillow without a problem to retire the side. Another 1-2-3 inning.

End 4th, Cubs 1, Astros 1

[CubsFan23]

Marshall looks awesome another 1-2-3 inning and only 43 pitches.

[VanMan]

Williams may have found his groove with that 1-2-3 inning. I hope we do not regret leaving the basesloaded in the first and third.
I certainly hope not. He is over 80 pitches through four, so that means he probably won't be too long for this game.

[VanMan]

D-Lee takes a strike on an off-speed pitch. He fouls one off to the right, 0-2. He swings and misses, strike out.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

I certainly hope not. He is over 80 pitches through four, so that means he probably won't be too long for this game.

His night can't be much longer. He also had a relief apperance on Sunday that last 1 inning.

[VanMan]

Floyd takes a tailing fastball for a strike. Fastball upstairs, ball one. Foul ball to the left, out of play, 1-2. Change-up is in the dirt, 2-2. Sinker misses inside and low, full count. Floyd pulls one way foul and into the third deck along the left-field line. Grounder to Loretta, takes it to the bag for the second out.

[CubsFan23]

Oh where oh where has our offense gone? We have had no offense since the end of the Philly series (where we ended the series with 3 straight games with at least 10 hits).

[Drockvb]

This team has reverted back to it's pre June ways. :mad:

[ARamfan]

Marshall looks awesome another 1-2-3 inning and only 43 pitches.

I'm glad to see this, (I had to leave to pick up my son and missed the last 20 minutes or so). Looks like he's in control. :)

[VanMan]

DeRosa, who had the last Cubs hit, takes a fastball up and away. Another fastball misses outside, 2-0. Pop foul and out of play, 2-1. That was Williams' 100th pitch. Another foul ball lined to the left. Fastball misses low and away, full count. Fly ball to right, Berkman is there to make the catch. A 1-2-3 inning for Williams, but he's thrown 102 pitches.

Middle 5th, Cubs 1, Astros 1

[CubsFan23]

Woody is at 99 pitches I would think he is done for the night after this inning. Thought they may trot him out for the 6th just to get to his spot in the order. If they do we need to take advantage of that.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Woody is at 99 pitches I would think he is done for the night after this inning. Thought they may trot him out for the 6th just to get to his spot in the order. If they do we need to take advantage of that.

Thats sad considering he shouldn't have even made it to the 4th inning.

[VanMan]

First two ptiches to Wigginton missed for balls, 2-0. Fastball is grouned to Lee, who takes it to the bag. "It had a little English on it," Len said with a fake British accent.

[CubsFan23]

Thats sad considering he shouldn't have even made it to the 4th inning.

He should not have made it out of the 1st!

[VanMan]

Lane takes a ball low. Pop foul and out of play, 1-1. Curve ball swung at weakly and missed, 1-2. Curve ball called strike three!

[Drockvb]

Thats sad considering he shouldn't have even made it to the 4th inning.

Quoted for truth!!!!

[VanMan]

Bruntlett takes an off-speed pitch for a strike. Fastball is swung and missed, 0-2. Change-up is low, 1-2. Trever Miller is warming up for the Astros. Curve is in the dirt, Bruntlett checks his swing, 2-2. Just 54 pitches for Marshall. The 55th is a curve low, full count. Grounder foul past third. One hopper to Marshall, throw to Lee ends the inning. The fourth 1-2-3 out of five innings for Marshall. Now, let's get something more on the board.

End 5th, Cubs 1, Astros 1

[VanMan]

Jones takes a strike on the inside corner. Another off-speed pitch catches the outside corner, 0-2. Fly ball to left center on a high fastball, Lane over to make the catch.

[ARamfan]

It's weird to see that the bats that were on fire, have lately seemed snuffed out. I think Sweet Lou needs to give them one of his "special" a$$ kicking pep talks! :D

[VanMan]

Kendall takes an off-speed pitch over the plate for a strike, then fouls the next pitch off, 0-2. Fisted to short, Bruntlett throws over to Loretta to retire Kendall.

[CubsFan23]

Damn Williams is in a groove. Now let's hope we can get to the bullpen. I am pretty sure Woody is done after this inning.

[Drockvb]

Anybody think we will win this one?

[VanMan]

Patterson fouls the first pitch off, 0-1. Another foul to the left, 0-2. Fastball misses high, 1-2. Fouled back off the hands. Fastball misses up and away, Tim Timmons almost rang it up, 2-2. Fouled off his front foot. 114 pitches for Williams to this point. High fastball swung and missed. That looks to be it for Williams at 115 pitches.

Middle 6th, Cubs 1, Astros 1

[CubsFan23]

I always think we will win. (But that is just me)

[VanMan]

Anybody think we will win this one?
I always think we can win games, unless we're down by 10 in the 8th.

[Drockvb]

LOL. Patterson looks like his brother swinging at that high fastball. That ball was head high. LMAO

[ARamfan]

I always think we will win. (But that is just me)

That's me too! I always know that we can score 7 runs in an inning, and that's what I hang on to. Right now there's every reason to think that we'll win this game.

[VanMan]

Ausmus takes the first pitch off the top of the wall below the yellow line. The fireworks went off prematurely, but Ausmus strides in for a double.

[Drockvb]

LOL. My heart says yes, but my mind says no.

[VanMan]

Chris Burke will pinch hit for Williams. He shows bunt. He bunts it up the third base line, Kendall picks it up and throws out Burke. Ausmus moves to third on the sacrifice.

[CubsFan23]

Time for us to strand that runner at third.

[VanMan]

Biggio, with the infield in, swings and misses a curve ball. High fastball, checked his swing, 1-1. Ground ball past Theriot into center field, that's Biggio's 3023rd hit, tying him with Lou Brock, and making the score 2-1.

[CubsFan23]

I have a few words for that none of them nice to post here!

[VanMan]

Loretta fouls the first pitch back with Biggio moving. Wood is warming up. Curve ball is grounded up the third base line, Marshall lets it go, lets it go, and it stops right on the chalk, infield single.

[Drockvb]

Game over very soon.

[CubsFan23]

Time for a visit to the mound!

[ARamfan]

LOL. My heart says yes, but my mind says no.

You said that a while back, and I've kind of adopted it. It's very wise. ;)

[VanMan]

Berkman takes a fastball low, ball one. Pop foul, Lee gives it a look, but it goes 10 rows back out of play, 1-1. Marshall steps off and Kendall calls time. Marshall feints to second, keeping Biggio close. Carlos Lee on deck. Fastball misses up and in, 2-1. Grounder past D-Lee, Floyd throws home, Biggio tries to score, throw's in time, but Biggio gets around the tag, 3-1 Astros.

[CubsFan23]

LOL. My heart says yes, but my mind says no.


And that is what makes us great Cubs fnas our Hearts always overrule our Minds!

[VanMan]

Marshall is being pulled in a double switch. Murton is going in to play left field and bat ninth, Wood is coming in to pitch and bat eighth.

[CubsFan23]

I am beginning to feel nauseous. Time for Lou to go rub belly's with the ump again.

[VanMan]

Carlos Lee takes the first Wood offering low and away. Line drive to left over Murton's head off the wall, one run scores, Berkman into third on the double by El Caballo, 4-1.

[Drockvb]

You said that a while back, and I've kind of adopted it. It's very wise. ;)

We all want them to when. :D

But sometimes they just look bad, and tonight they look bad. Too bad they aren't hitting. Marshall pitched ok tonight. But he is pitching under alot more pressure because the cubs lack of offense.

[CubsFan23]

Fortunately (or maybe it is unfortunately) I am at work and cannot truly let my anger loose.

[ARamfan]

I am beginning to feel nauseous. Time for Lou to go rub belly's with the ump again.

We're due for another eruption of Mount St. Lou! :p

[Drockvb]

The first 3 innings totally determined the outcome of tonights game.

[CubsFan23]

We have to start winning the games we are supposed to win! This is one of those games, as was last night. Our remaining schedule is stacked with losing teams we need to start taking advantage of that.

[Drockvb]

5-1 :mad:

[CubsFan23]

The first 3 innings totally determined the outcome of tonights game.


I agree! 7 LOB. Including the bases loaded twice!

[VanMan]

Wigginton takes a curve low, ball one. Another curve, swung and missed, 1-1. Curve misses away, 2-1. Slider swung and missed, 2-2. Fastball misses away, 94 mph, full count. Curve fouled off Kendall. Grounder to Theriot, had to get around Lee, can't get to it, into center field. Berkman scores, Lee holds at third, on the throw home, Wigginton advances to second, it's 5-1.

[Drockvb]

Wood's curveball has alot of life. :)

[CubsFan23]

You hear that CRASH, it is the sound of a train wreck!

[VanMan]

Lane takes the first two for balls, swings at a 93 mph heater for a strike. Curve misses high and in, 3-1. Fastball is a fly ball to right, Floyd comes in to make the catch, Lee tries to tag up, but stops halfway. Kendall can't handle the hop, Lee scrambles back.

[Drockvb]

You hear that CRASH, it is the sound of a train wreck!

Again? LOL

Nice play by Theriot BTW.

[VanMan]

Bruntlett takes a strike. Liner to Theriot, diving stab saves another two runs, but the Astros get four on six hits, two left.

End 6th, Astros 5, Cubs 1

[VanMan]

I have to wonder what happened to Marshall in that inning. They suddenly started hitting the ball when they were fooled in the first five frames.

[Drockvb]

Marshall doesn't move the ball in and out enough.

[Drockvb]

I bet Lou is going to be really mad after tonights game.

murton homer. :)

[VanMan]

Murton leads off the 7th against Dave Borkowski. Murton foul tips the first pitch into Ausmus' glove. Fastball misses low and away. Murton drives one deep to left field, Carlos Lee didn't even look as the ball hits off the bricks above the yellow line! Solo shot for Murton, it's 5-2.

[VanMan]

Theriot takes a strike. Fouled off the end of the bat, 0-2. Sinker low, 1-2. Flare to right, Berkman... lets it get by him! Theriot goes to second on a single and an error.

[CubsFan23]

Just think as it stands now Woody is in line for the win when he should have been in the showers before the Astros even came to bat!

[Drockvb]

Well nows the time for the rally.

HIT THE BALL!!!!

[CubsFan23]

Start of a rally maybe. Maybe that train is back on the tracks, Come on Cubs!

[VanMan]

Fontenot fouls the first pitch back. Check swing, foul into the Cubs dugout, 0-2. Slider catches the outside corner, called strike three, Fontenot didn't think so.

[VanMan]

Lee takes a strike down the middle. Ausmus wants to reset the signs. Fastball down the pipe, strike two. Slider in the dirt gets past Ausmus, Theriot to third.

[ARamfan]

[QUOTE=Drockvb;28816]I bet Lou is going to be really mad after tonights game.

He'd better be! :mad:

[VanMan]

The 1-2 pitch to Lee is called strike three at the knees. Two down.

[Drockvb]

WTF????

what are they looking at?

[Drockvb]

Cubs are killing themselves because they can't get the bat off of their shoulders. what the hell?

[CubsFan23]

Cubs are killing themselves because they can't get the bat off of their shoulders. what the hell?


Now they want to try and be patient. Time for that has come and gone boys.

[VanMan]

Floyd takes a fastball away, called strike one. Slider is over for strike two. Floyd calls time. Bounced foul past first. Slider misses away, 1-2. Curve misses high, 2-2. Grounder to short, over to first for the out. One run on Murton's homer, two total hits and an error, one left.

Middle 7th, Astros 5, Cubs 2

[VanMan]

Some of those called strikes were not called that way in the first inning, blue!

[CubsFan23]

He'd better be! :mad:

He better tear that clubhouse apart. Flip over the food table throw bats, whatever. He better go ballistic.

[CubsFan23]

Wow short rally! Lead off with a homer, next guy reaches second with no outs and bam nothing! This is beyond ridiculous. This is what killed us in May and April.

[Drockvb]

It's sad, but it makes me feel better to see the Manager go bolistic when the team plays like crap.

I guess (in some boot camp kinda way) it shows he cares.

[VanMan]

Wood continues in the 7th, throws the first pitch up and in to Ausmus. Next pitch is in the dirt, 2-0. Fastball is high, 3-0. Fastball is over for the automatic strike. Ground ball to Theriot, over to Lee for the first out.

[CubsFan23]

Wow Wood is still in there!

[CubsFan23]

Think of it this way if you do not do your job, your boss goes crazy. Well it should be the same way in the Majors.. In fact they should be fined for every bonehead play, baserunning mistake etc that they make IMHO.

[VanMan]

Mike Lamb pinch hitting for Borkowski, with Chad Qualls warming up for Houston. Curve ball misses high and away. Fastball fouled back, 1-1. Fastball upstairs, 2-1. Flyball to right center, Jones backpedals to make the catch. Two down.

[Drockvb]

Wow short rally! Lead off with a homer, next guy reaches second with no outs and bam nothing! This is beyond ridiculous. This is what killed us in May and April.


And the heart of the order to boot. You think the Yankees or Bo-Sox are going to stand in the batters box and watch those strikes go right by? That made me sick watching them just stand there looking at those pitches. Someone needs to remind them they only have 3 strikes to work with per AB.

[VanMan]

Biggio swings and misses a change-up. Curveball misses inside. Slider in the dirt, but Biggio swings awkardly and misses, 1-2. Fastball misses away, 2-2. Curve ball in the dirt, full count. Fastball gets Biggio on a half-swing, three up, three down.

End 7th, Astros 5, Cubs 2

[VanMan]

Qualls enters to face DeRosa, throws a curve over for strike one. DeRosa fouls one off to the right and out of play, 0-2. Milwaukee is up 1-0. Called strike three.

[VanMan]

Jones takes a fastball away, ball one. Fastball misses inside, 2-0. Two hopper to Lamb, takes it to the bag for the out.

[VanMan]

Kendall takes a fastball over the middle for a strike. Grounder to short, Bruntlett goes to Lamb for the third out. Another 1-2-3 inning against the Cubs.

Middle 8th, Astros 5, Cubs 2

[VanMan]

Mitch Robinson just said Ohman is going to Chicago to get his shoulder examined by the Cubs' team doctor, said it's been "barking."

[VanMan]

Dempster now in to pitch, he'll start the inning against Loretta. A slider is over for a strike. Loretta shoots it past Lee for a single to right.

[VanMan]

Berkman takes a slider for a strike. Swing and a miss on another slider, 0-2. Berkman steps out. Check swing, Tim Timmons said he went around, strike three.

[VanMan]

Carlos Lee takes a slider away, ball one. Slider misses away again, 2-0. Sinker misses low, 3-0. Fastball high, ball four.

[CubsFan23]

These are the type of games that rip your heart out. A struggling pitcher who gives you ample opportunities to score and you cannot take advantage, then expecting your young pitcher to somehow win the game for you with no offense.

[VanMan]

Wigginton takes a slider low and away. Curveball is flown to center, Jones under it for the second out.

[VanMan]

Lane taps to Dempster on the first pitch, over to Lee to retire the side. No runs, a hit, a walk, two left.

End 8th, Astros 5, Cubs 2

Let's hope we can get Lidge on a bad day.

[CubsFan23]

Last chance stop to nowhere! Down 5-2 to start the ninth!

[CubsFan23]

Why is Pagan trying to bunt?

[VanMan]

Lidge starts the 9th in a save situation. Angel Pagan will pinch hit for Dempster. Pagan bunts the first pitch foul. Slider over for strike two. Change up in the dirt, 1-2. Tap foul back to the screen. Another foul ball at the plate. Grounded sharply foul past first. Fastball misses away, 2-2. Another foul ball back to the left. Ninth pitch of the AB is swung on and missed, a high fastball.

[CubsFan23]

Pagan Strikes out!

[VanMan]

Murton, who homered his first time up, swings and misses the first pitch. He's 4-for-5 vs. Lidge. Fastball misses away, 1-1. Swing and a miss on a fastball, 97 mph, 1-2. Change-up chased, two down.

[CubsFan23]

Murton K's as well!

[ARamfan]

These are the type of games that rip your heart out. A struggling pitcher who gives you ample opportunities to score and you cannot take advantage, then expecting your young pitcher to somehow win the game for you with no offense.

This is what makes it really hard to take--it's so unfair! :mad:

[VanMan]

Theriot is the Cubs' last chance tonight. Fastball taken for a strike. Change-up swung and missed, 0-2. Theriot swings at a pitch that hit the dirt well into the dirt, Ausmus throws to Lane to finish the game.

Final score, Astros 5, Cubs 2

[VanMan]

Len just said that each of these first two games of the series the Cubs have struck out 13 times and were 0-for-10 with RISP. What happened to this offense?

[CubsFan23]

What the he!! was he swinging at!!!!

[Drockvb]

I know we are still in the hunt, but this team is in bad shape right now.

I wish they would have never got hot in June. All it did was get everybody's hopes up.

[Drockvb]

What the he!! was he swinging at!!!!

A dirt clog. LMAO.

They look at good pitches and swing at the crap ones. I don't get it.:confused:

[VanMan]

Several of the "good pitches" really were unhittable. I can count at least four of the called third strikes since the fourth inning that were called balls in the first three innings.

[Drockvb]

Several of the "good pitches" really were unhittable. I can count at least four of the called third strikes since the fourth inning that were called balls in the first three innings.

Thats because woody was wild and did not have command early. so the umps didn't give him the close ones.

[Drockvb]

and they looked at plenty of hittable pitches.