8/22 Cubs@Giants 9:15pm; TV: WGN, Radio: WGN

[ryno4ever]

CHC: LHP Rich Hill (7-7, 3.73 ERA)
Hill is coming off a win against the Cardinals, in which he gave up one run on three hits over seven innings. The lefty also struck out seven. It was an encouraging performance after his previous outing against Colorado, when he was roughed up.

SF: LHP Barry Zito (9-11, 4.88 ERA)
Zito was masterful in his last outing, twirling seven innings of one-hit ball to beat the Marlins. The left-hander walked two and struck out five to win for the first time in four starts. Zito faced the Cubs one other time this season, picking up the win July 17 after allowing one earned run and striking out eight in seven innings.


The Cubs will take on the Giants in Game 2 of a three-game series Wednesday, and their favorite treat is on the menu -- a left-handed pitcher.
The Cubs are batting .417 (25-for-60) against left-handers with a .485 on-base percentage and a .633 slugging percentage since Aug. 11.

Cubs starting pitcher Rich Hill is coming off an impressive start against the Cardinals. Hill earned the win with his well-located fastball and an effective changeup and curve.

Hill is 2-1 against the Giants with a 3.33 ERA in four starts. He earned one of those wins earlier this season when he threw eight innings while giving up just two runs on July 16 at Wrigley Field.

Following the three-game series in San Francisco, the Cubs will continue their six-game swing in the West with a three-game stop in Arizona.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/giants/peegiants.jpg

[ryno4ever]

The Lineups:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Cub%20Logos/Chicago-Cubs-logo.gif

Theriot SS
DeRosa 2B
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Floyd LF
Fox RF
Kendall C
Jones CF
Hill (rich) P

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/giants/SanFrancisco_Giants.png

Davis CF
Ortmeier 1B
Winn LF
Bonds RF
Molina C
Feliz 3B
Aurilla 2B
Vizquel SS
Zito P

[ryno4ever]

It is the bottom of the first, and Hill is in a little bit of a jam, first and second, but two outs with two strikes on the hitter.

In Arizona, Milwaukee is losing 2-1 in the 4th. In St. Louis, it has been back and forth, but the Cards are winning 6-4 in the top of the 8th, as Randy Winn scores on Molina's single. Bonds to third. Giants are leading 1-0.

[ryno4ever]

Where is everyone tonight??????

[ryno4ever]

Okay, now after last night's wonderful ninth inning rally, I'm really hoping that the bats stay on the warm side.

[ryno4ever]

In St. Louis, it is the top of the 9th, Isringhausen is on the mound.... Cards are still up by 2.

[ryno4ever]

Hill strikes out the side as we head to the third inning.

[ryno4ever]

Cardinals just won.... now onto scoreboard watching for the Milwaukee game....

[ryno4ever]

Zito has good stuff tonight. It's almost like a reapeat of last night...except the pitcher has an awesome curve instead of an awesome fastball.

[ryno4ever]

Zito is perfect through the lineup for the first time. He has a perfect game...a no hitter... I SAID A NO HITTER!!!! (There, I said it, now that is supposed to ruin it, right?)

[ARamfan]

Where is everyone tonight??????

I'm here Heather. I'm just listening to the game and just logged on. I lost my dog, Midnight on Sat (15 yrs. old) and now the other dog, his partner has stopped eating, so I'm tending to her. :( Hopefully she'll start to eat. It's so amazing how close animals can be to each other.

[ARamfan]

Okay, Rammy just helped us out and I'm thrilled!!! :cool:

We are now tied, 2-2!!

[ryno4ever]

Hi, Mara! Sorry to hear about your dog! I had a Sher Pei that was like that. She went into a depression when our "mutt" died... then we got a couple of bassett hounds, and she wasn't lonely anymore... but I think the puppies ran her into the ground, as she died about a year later, too. (She was pretty old for her age, Sher Pei's don't have a really long life expectancy in comparison to other dogs, is what the vet told us!)

I'm so glad they didn't wait for the ninth inning to finally give us some excitement! Brewers tied up the game in Arizona at 2, but there are men on first and second, two outs, with the guy who hit the grand slam last night, Gross, up at the plate.

[ryno4ever]

Arizona got out of it with no damage.

[ryno4ever]

Zito's curve is just wicked!

[ryno4ever]

Hill is hanging in there with a good at bat...but swings and misses to end the inning.

[ryno4ever]

Arizona has a man on first, one out...

[ryno4ever]

Now first and third with one out...

[ryno4ever]

Arizona just took a one run lead, with two outs!
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/diamondbacks/Dbackslogo.gif

[ryno4ever]

I really hate playing the same teams the Brewers are playing back to back. We have to cheer for them for three or four days, then turn around and have them as our opponent the next few days.

[ryno4ever]

The d/backs brewers game is going into the 8th with the dbacks up by one.

[ARamfan]

Thanks for your understanding about the dogs. I'll get through it. :( I need to look at the clock and realize that it's 46 hours until I am watching the Cubbies play!! From the front row!!

We have every chance to win this game tonight. BTW, Eric said he will be listening to the game on his radio while working. He will no doubt have a lot to say when it's over.

[ryno4ever]

Come on DeRo!

[ryno4ever]

There really isn't a whole lot to talk about right now as it is really another good pitcher's duel tonight! Hill is very impressive so far! It is the fifth inning that he really tends to struggle in, so he's really doing well tonight! It's a lot like last night. Great pitching, little offense.

[ARamfan]

I really hate playing the same teams the Brewers are playing back to back. We have to cheer for them for three or four days, then turn around and have them as our opponent the next few days.

That is true! You have to understand that it's really hard for me to ever root for the D'backs! But, for tonight, I want them to win! ;)

[ryno4ever]

I'm excited that the guys play on Friday night. I'll just be getting home from work as the game starts (if we aren't too busy and I have to stick around for a bit), so I can watch for you on TV!

I was worried about being able to see the game tonight. We had some really bad thunderstorms roll through here that had some pretty wicked lightening. I thought we were going to lose power!

[ryno4ever]

The absolute worst was when the Brewers played the Cardinals! I could not believe I was rooting for the Cardinals. And now it seems as if that was the series that seemed to refuel the Retardinals and put them right back in the race.

[ryno4ever]

Braun is up for the Brewers....hold our breath!

[ryno4ever]

I'm really hoping that Fatman Fielder will have had his hearing right before we play them, so he will not be able to play in our series next weekend.

[ryno4ever]

Braun strikes out! End of the inning! Arizona still leads.

[ryno4ever]

Rammy keeps getting jammed up by the hands!

[ryno4ever]

come on cliffy!

[ryno4ever]

Zito needs to leave this game and we need to get into their bullpen, but he is only at 84 pitches

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/MusicNotes.gif

Take me out to the ballgame,
Take me out to the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks
I don't care if I EVER get back
Cause it's ROOT ROOT ROOT for the CUBBIES
If they don't win it's a shame
Cause it's ONE, TWO, THREE strikes your're out
At the Old Ball Game!

LET'S GET SOME RUNS!

[ryno4ever]

ALFANSO MAY BE BACK FOR THE MILWAUKEE SERIES NEXT WEEK! They are showing him running the bases and taking BP...he looks great! Running well, no limping, hurdling balls in his basepaths...

[ryno4ever]

We are in the top of the ninth in Arizona....with the Brewers still down by a run.

[ryno4ever]

one out in Arizona!

[ryno4ever]

Bill Hall just got a one out double...tying run is in scoring position!

[ryno4ever]

two outs in Arizona!

[ARamfan]

ALFANSO MAY BE BACK FOR THE MILWAUKEE SERIES NEXT WEEK! They are showing him running the bases and taking BP...he looks great! Running well, no limping, hurdling balls in his basepaths...

Oh, I hope he is ready! It will be great timing because he will be fresh and rested and ready to go into the post-season!! :cool:

[ryno4ever]

Bill Hall to third, JJ Hardy at the plate...a nailbiter!

[ryno4ever]

I'm still not sold on putting him back in the leadoff position. No need to put extra pressure on the use of his legs when Theriot is doing outstanding in the leadoff spot.

[ryno4ever]

ARIZONA WINS!!!!!

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/diamondbacks/Arizona_Diamondbacks6.png

First base is ours for the taking!

[ryno4ever]

Kendall gets a leadoff hit!

[ryno4ever]

JJ sacrifices Kendall to second! Perfect bunt!

[ryno4ever]

the BIG MURT!

[ARamfan]

I'm still not sold on putting him back in the leadoff position. No need to put extra pressure on the use of his legs when Theriot is doing outstanding in the leadoff spot.

I'm not either. I don't think I was ever sold on that. We're lucky to have Ryan doing so well in that as the leadoff man. BTW, D'backs win!! :D

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/players/MattMurtoncopy.png

Come on Murt...put us a game in front of Milwaukee!

[ryno4ever]

wow! I didn't realize how big that one was!

[ryno4ever]

I'm not either. I don't think I was ever sold on that. We're lucky to have Ryan doing so well in that as the leadoff man. BTW, D'backs win!! :D

Think of the protection:

Theriot
Jones
Lee
Ram
Soriano
Floyd
DeRosa
Kendall
Pitcher

[ARamfan]

Think of the protection:

Theriot
Jones
Lee
Ram
Soriano
Floyd
DeRosa
Kendall
Pitcher

That's a dream lineup! Especially as far as Aramis is concerned. Just compare that to what Rammy had to work with last season. Also, who would have thought that JJ would look good in the #2 spot? :confused:

[ryno4ever]

And, for the most part, our pitchers have been pretty well offensively, as well! Soriano said he would go anywhere in the lineup, he just wants to play. Lou is adminent about putting him back in the leadoff spot.

[ryno4ever]

Marmol is making me nervous

[ryno4ever]

damn!

[ryno4ever]

GOT HIM! 3 PUNCHOUTS!

[ryno4ever]

9th inning...DeRosa, Lee, and Big Ram!

[ARamfan]

Soriano said he would go anywhere in the lineup, he just wants to play. Lou is adminent about putting him back in the leadoff spot.

I've been hearing that all along (about Lou wanting him in the leadoff spot) and I can't say that I would agree. But, I believe Sweet Lou knows more than we do! ;)

[ryno4ever]

Zito is finally out of the game

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/players/fullj.getty73395768jd007_milwaukee_bre_5_46_54_pm. jpg This worked last night!

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/players/aramisramirez.jpg
Come on rammy!

[ryno4ever]

UGH!!!

[ryno4ever]

Not cool...another leadoff walk!

[ARamfan]

I love the graphics, but you're right about that walk. I'd rather we go into extra innings. :eek:

[ryno4ever]

I CAN'T WATCH!

[ryno4ever]

How about a mound visit to calm him down?????

[ryno4ever]

Come on Carlos! One more strike!

[ryno4ever]

Carlos just did a big jump off the field...Zambrano like emotions!!!!!

[ARamfan]

Here we go, another wild ride!! I need some Xanax now!! :rolleyes:

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/MLBExtraInnings.jpg Buckle up, we're going to extras!

[ryno4ever]

Cubs are 1-7 in extra innings, 0-2 on the road! We're due!

[ARamfan]

Take deep breaths!!!! :cool:

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/aaaassss222.gif Our angel in the outfield is back!

[ARamfan]

Heather, you beat me to it! Cornelius is on the field again tonight!!! :)

[ryno4ever]

Looking at where the third baseman is, Pie could take 3rd easily!

[ryno4ever]

Heather, you beat me to it! Cornelius is on the field again tonight!!! :)

I was actually loading up my angel as he hit that one, I was hoping that the angel would bring some luck!

[ryno4ever]

I feel a big inning coming on!

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/aaaassss222.gif Let's try this guy again!

[ryno4ever]

HE WORKED!http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/aaaassss222.gif

[ARamfan]

Is it just me, or did Cornelius mess with that ball?!! LOL :D We're winning!!

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/aaaassss222.gif COME ON JJ!

[ARamfan]

Hank White is on deck!! Welcome back! ;)

[ryno4ever]

Is it just me, or did Cornelius mess with that ball?!! LOL :D We're winning!!

I thought the same thing. That was a tailor made double play! It wasn't even hit that hard!

[ryno4ever]

Do they really think Kendall is a basestealer threat?

[ryno4ever]

Lou has now used all of his catchers! Kendall, Henry, Jake Fox, and Murton.

[ARamfan]

4-2!!!! :D

[ryno4ever]

THE SQUEEZE!!!!!!

[Doba]

Hooooray Hank!!! That was awesome.

[ryno4ever]

Come on Demp!

[ryno4ever]

Hi Doba! That was incredible!

[ryno4ever]

ON YOUR FEET CUB FANS! WE GOT ONE OUT UNTIL FIRST PLACE!

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Cubs%20Win/firstplace.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Cubs%20Win/0w.gif

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Cubs%20Win/cubs_sweep-1.gif


CUBS WIN!

SOLE POSSESSION OF FIRST PLACE!

LET'S GO FOR THE SWEEP!

[ARamfan]

I think I will be going downtown Friday night to see 'MY 1ST PLACE TEAM!' YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY YYYYYYY!

[Drew]

Love that Bill Murray graphic, Ryno.

[ryno4ever]

AWESOME! THE SQUEEZE DOES IT AGAIN!

[ryno4ever]

UGH! WGN doesn't have a post game show...so I turned it to Comcast...and the thunderstorms we had roll through here have knocked the signal to Comcast out!

[ARamfan]

Love that Bill Murray graphic, Ryno.

I agree, Drew. It's a great graphic!

[ryno4ever]

How ironic...I am watching the WGN news right now, and they are reporting that Bill Murray was given a DUI today....in a GOLF CART!