8/24 CHC @ ARI, 8:40 p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: WGN

[VanMan]

This is a bit late in the game, but I figured there had to be a thread to react to what's gone on so far.

First, the Cubs got on the board quickly against Owings. Lots of good hits after Theriot's lead-off walk. The two checked-swings that went our way helped, too.

Secondly, I don't think we should throw Owings any strikes. The guy can mash like a regular hitter.

Thirdly, we got another break with the play at the plate. Looking at the replay, it seemed to me, he got his foot through Kendall's legs, but the ump said otherwise.

Now it's the top of the sixth, Jones had doubled, Lee hit a fly ball to deep center that allowed Jones to tag up and go to third, then A-Ram drove him in on a sac fly to left. It's 3-1 now with two gone.

[VanMan]

Floyd ended the inning with a soft come-back grounder to Owings.

[ryno4ever]

Thanks for getting this up and going. When I first got on, I was the only one here, waiting like a little kid for her neighbors to come out to play!

[ryno4ever]

Did you hear that Vargas got pushed out of the first inning in San Fran. They have Capuano pitching now for the Brewers, who are coming back little by little 4-6 now, in the top of the 3rd. St. Louis is losing 7-2 in the fifth.

[VanMan]

I don't doubt that.

Owings can really rake, he just wacked a foul ball down the left field stands, but then he looked silly on a curve that Kendall had to block in the dirt and throw to Lee to get him.

[VanMan]

Did you hear that Vargas got pushed out of the first inning in San Fran. They have Capuano pitching now for the Brewers, who are coming back little by little 4-6 now, in the top of the 3rd. St. Louis is losing 7-2 in the fifth.
Hadn't heard all of that.

[ryno4ever]

Fielder is serving his suspension, which was dropped to two games. He'll be out today and tomorrow. Damn, I was hoping it would be during our series.

[ryno4ever]

Vargas gave up 6 runs in the first inning. Then they brought Wise in, but Capuano came in to relieve Wise.

[VanMan]

Marmol's warming up as Young got rung up on a breaking ball. Bob Melmen was this close to being tossed for arguing balls and strikes. Next batter lines to Ramirez. Still 3-1 after six.

[VanMan]

Looks like Milwaukee just pulled to within one on a single by J.J. Hardy.

[ryno4ever]

It is now 5-6 in San Fran, 2 outs, men at first and third.... tying run at third. Noah Lowry is on the mound for the Giants.

[ryno4ever]

Lots of big gaps in this park!

[VanMan]

And Capuano just tied it. He hit a single to center to score Joe Dillon. Meanwhile, DeRosa doubled to lead off the seventh in Phoenix.

[VanMan]

Lowry's a bit wild, it looks like.

[VanMan]

Weeks just walked to load the bases. Lowry can barely find the strike zone without a GPS system.

[ryno4ever]

bases are loaded for the Brewers in San Fran...still two outs.

[VanMan]

Kendall just served one to right that landed a foot fair, DeRosa only was able to get to third, and now Ward is going to PH for Marshall. However, Melvin's going to bring in Cruz in relief.

[ryno4ever]

bases are loaded for the Brewers in San Fran...still two outs.

full count.... two outs....

[ryno4ever]

And the damage is minimal as Corey Hart struck out on a foul tip!!!!! The Brewers lead them loaded.

[VanMan]

Hart couldn't take off his sunglasses at night and struck out on a foul tip. Meanwhile, Bob Melvin just got run for arguing with Eric Cooper.

[VanMan]

I jumped ahead in the line-up. Pie is up now. Ward is on deck, however.

[ryno4ever]

Felix has made two outs on two pitches.

[VanMan]

Well, he's seen a total of six now. He took the first four pitches of this AB.

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif This little guy seems to be our good luck charm in the past couple of games.

[VanMan]

Pie finally swung at one and fouled it off.

[ryno4ever]

I think I just saw Mara...if she has blonde hair!

[VanMan]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif This little guy seems to be our good luck charm in the past couple of games.
I guess that's a representation of Cornelious Floyd?

[VanMan]

I think I just saw Mara...if she has blonde hair!
Where was she?

[ryno4ever]

I guess that's a representation of Cornelious Floyd?

Yep, Mara and I named him as our Angel in the Outfield!

[VanMan]

Pie just walked to load the bases with no out and Ward up.

[VanMan]

Noah Lowry just hit a two-run homer in San Fran to put the Giants back up, 8-6!

[VanMan]

Ward is 1-for-1 this season with the sacks jacked with a slam.

[ryno4ever]

Where was she?

Dugout level.... which she said she would be in, I believe...and wearing her femal Cubs jersey! Shoulder length blond hair... I am thinking to the left of the Budweiser sign....

[ryno4ever]

Noah Lowry just hit a two-run homer in San Fran to put the Giants back up, 8-6!

The pitchers are really helping themselves tonight, aren't they?

[VanMan]

Ward just hit into a 1-2-3 double play.

[VanMan]

The pitchers are really helping themselves tonight, aren't they?
That's the good thing about the National League.

[ryno4ever]

I'm going to go back a couple of game threads ago when she told me where she was going to sit and what she was going to wear.

[VanMan]

Theriot took a 98mph fastball for strike one. A 99mph fastball hit the low-away corner for strike two. And a 97mph fastball up and in forces Theriot to go too far.

[VanMan]

Braun had a lead-off double in the top of the 4th in SF. It seems Lowry's trying to work the Brewer hitters away a lot.

[VanMan]

Marmol's in to relieve Marshall. He'll face Byrnes first. First two pitches were foul back. Meanwhile, Bill Hall just popped out in SF. Byrnes flies to Pie for the first out.

[VanMan]

Conor Jackson takes inside, a backdoor slider that missed the door. A fastball is high, ball two. Another ball misses away. Len and Bob mentioned Jackson's father played RADM A.J. Chegwiggen on "JAG." A fastball is a strike, 3-1. Base hit on a liner to right.

[VanMan]

Mench flied out to Winn, Braun is still at second with two out.

[VanMan]

Snyder flies to Floyd, two gone.

[ryno4ever]

Mara's seats:
They are front row, right next to the Cubs' dugout! The on-deck circle will be just a few feet in front of me! They are at dugout level, so you have to stand up to reach out and touch the field. Needless to say, I have a good friend who works at Chase Field. They are in Section H, Row A (first row) so if you get bored, google a seating chart of Chase Field and check it out.


Mara's attire:
Most likely I'll be wearing my Ramirez home jersey (the ladies style), with a Cubbie-blue, long-sleeve top underneath (it looks very similar to theirs, just with a feminine neckline) and either jeans or shorts. Remember, I'm small, so be looking for a short girl with shoulder length, blond-highlighted brown hair. I'll try and post a pic of myself in my profile before Friday. People always say that they've seen me on TV at the games. Basically, look for someone who is quite emotional, clapping and snapping pictures!


I am pretty sure that is who I saw on TV! MARA...I SAW YOU ON TV!!!

[VanMan]

Estrada popped out to set down the Brewers stranding Braun at second in AT&T. Still 8-6 Giants, middle 4th.

[ryno4ever]

"Listen to these fans!" in the words of Harry!

[VanMan]

Marmol just got a called strike three on a slider to set down Reynolds and the side. After seven complete, Cubs still lead 3-1.

[VanMan]

Mara's seats:

They are front row, right next to the Cubs' dugout! The on-deck circle will be just a few feet in front of me! They are at dugout level, so you have to stand up to reach out and touch the field. Needless to say, I have a good friend who works at Chase Field. They are in Section H, Row A (first row) so if you get bored, google a seating chart of Chase Field and check it out.

Mara's attire:

Most likely I'll be wearing my Ramirez home jersey (the ladies style), with a Cubbie-blue, long-sleeve top underneath (it looks very similar to theirs, just with a feminine neckline) and either jeans or shorts. Remember, I'm small, so be looking for a short girl with shoulder length, blond-highlighted brown hair. I'll try and post a pic of myself in my profile before Friday. People always say that they've seen me on TV at the games. Basically, look for someone who is quite emotional, clapping and snapping pictures!

I am pretty sure that is who I saw on TV! MARA...I SAW YOU ON TV!!!

I thought I saw her in the first inning, too!

[VanMan]

Jones shorted up as if to bunt, but takes a fastball for a strike. A 93 mph heater misses well upstairs, 1-1. Jones unable to check his swing on a change, 1-2. Check swing on a curve, appeal to third, no swing, 2-2. Slider misses inside, full count. Bonds just hit No. 761 to put the Giants up 9-6. Grounder up the middle under the diving shortstop for a single.

[VanMan]

Lee grounds into a 5-4-3 double play on the first pitch.

[ryno4ever]

that shot, right there when the showed the ondeck circle...that is the area she is sitting in, but I didn't see her that time

[VanMan]

Ramirez takes a high 97 mph fastball for a strike. A 95 mph fastball misses well outside, ball one. Ramirez swings and misses a 97 mph fastball, 1-2. A 94 mph fastball misses over everyone's head, 2-2. Foul back off the screen on a breaker. A 98 mph fastball goes off the catchers glove high to fill the count. An 82 mph change up is popped into the camera well, foul. Fly ball to deep right center, finds the gap and bounces off the wall in front of the pool for a double. That was a belt-high, 97 mph fastball.

[VanMan]

Milwaukee went 1-2-3 in the top of the 5th, still 9-6 Giants.

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif come on Cliffy!

[VanMan]

Floyd takes a 87 mph slider near his knees, ball one. A 76 mph slider is pulled well foul, 1-1. Another 79 mph slider is taken for strike two. Craig Monroe looking to enter the game in the next inning? Chopper to first, Jackson steps on the bag to end the inning. Still 3-1 Cubs after 7 1/2.

[ryno4ever]

I'm going to warn you all...the Milwaukee series...I KNOW I am going to have many anxiety attacks during that series, as I feel one starting even when they show commercials advertising it on Comcast!

[VanMan]

Craig Monroe is now in to play left field in a double switch, subbing for Floyd and batting ninth, as Howry comes in to pitch.

[ryno4ever]

Upton..the kid at bat...isn't even old enough to drink the champaign if they win the division!!!!

[VanMan]

I'm going to warn you all...the Milwaukee series...I KNOW I am going to have many anxiety attacks during that series, as I feel one starting even when they show commercials advertising it on Comcast!
Geesh, Heather, you're really getting out of whack!

[ryno4ever]

He's only 19

[VanMan]

Upton..the kid at bat...isn't even old enough to drink the champaign if they win the division!!!!
Yeah, he's just going to turn 20 in a few hours.

[ryno4ever]

Geesh, Heather, you're really getting out of whack!

That series may just be a make or break it moment for either team.... and if we pass through that one, we have more intense ones against the Cards.

[VanMan]

Giants went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 5th, still leading 9-6.

[VanMan]

That series may just be a make or break it moment for either team.... and if we pass through that one, we have more intense ones against the Cards.
Yes, it is a very important series as to who will win the division. It could give the Cubs a cushion, or it could put Milwaukee back in the driver's seat, or it could let St. Louis get closer.

Meanwhile, Howry just stuck out Upton swinging.

[VanMan]

Scott Atchison is now pitching for the Giants, but he walked Rickie Weeks to lead off the 6th.

[ryno4ever]

I made sure I was off Tuesday night and Wednesday!

[VanMan]

Weeks just stole second.

[VanMan]

Tony Clark is coming in to pinch hit as the tying run after Howry walked Drew. Meanwhile, Hart struck out.

[VanMan]

Let's hope Clark ends this AB 0-for-9 vs. Howry.

[VanMan]

Clark popped up behind the mound, Ramirez calls everyone off to make the catch, two down.

[VanMan]

Young swings and misses the first pitch, a 94 mph fastball. Change up misses somewhere, ball one. Pop foul out of play, 1-2. Meanwhile, Braun flied out to Winn, Weeks advanced to third. Young swings and misses a high fastball for the third out. Still 3-1 Cubs after 8.

[VanMan]

Bill Hall struck out on a foul tip to end the Milwaukee 6th in AT&T. Giants still lead, 9-6, going to the bottom of the inning.

[VanMan]

Dustin Nippert will pitch for the D'Backs.

[VanMan]

DeRosa puts the first pitch he sees into center on a grounder up the middle for a base hit.

[VanMan]

Kendall shoots a grounder to short, but DeRosa was running, and Drew vacated the position! First and third, no one out.

[VanMan]

Pie foul tips a 96 mph heater. Nippert does the fake-to-third, twirl-to-first move. Pie swings and misses another 96 mph fastball low and away, 0-2. Monroe on deck. Fastball high, 1-2. Another fake and twirl to a chorus of Cub fan boos. Pie fouls the 1-2 back. Breaking ball gets away from Snyder, DeRosa scores on the wild pitch, Kendall goes to second. It's 4-1 Cubs!

[ryno4ever]

How badly we need this win!!!! We need a bigger lead than .5 game going into our next series!

[VanMan]

Meanwhile, Kevin Frandsen homers to left-center to make the score 10-6 Giants.

[VanMan]

Pie walked to bring up Monroe.

[ryno4ever]

Bonds is up with one on.....

[ryno4ever]

Monroe's debut!!!

[ryno4ever]

Congrats Craig! Welcome to the Cubs!

[VanMan]

Craig Monroe is making his first plate appearance as a National Leaguer. He takes a fastball, 93, low and away for strike one. Curve ball is low, ball one. He fouls a fastball to the screen. Can someone turn off the rattle? Curve in the dirt, Snyder knocks it down, 2-2. Monroe grounds one into the hole, Drew is able to field it and attempt to get the runner at second, SAFE! Monroe gets his first hit as a Cub.

[ryno4ever]

THE RIOT!http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Ryan-Theriot-Cut.png

[VanMan]

Theriot smacks the first pitch he sees past the drawn in Drew for an RBI single, Kendall scoring. 5-1 Cubs!

[ryno4ever]

YEAHHHHYYYYY!http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/kid.gif

[VanMan]

Jones had a chopper off the plate that checked up into foul territory. Later, he grounds to Hudson, he tries to tag Theriot, but the ball is knocked out of his glove! Everyone's safe! Pie scores, it's now 6-1!

[VanMan]

Bases still loaded, still no one out, three runs in, Lee now at the plate.

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/thALYXANDSAMMI.gif SWEETNESS!

[VanMan]

Lee pops the first fastball foul, 94. Jones' play is ruled a base hit. Fastball, 94, up and in, 1-1. Grounder to first, throw home, it's wide, but Snyder holds the plate, Lee not running, they get him at first, 3-2-3 DP.

[ryno4ever]

Is it me, or does Derrek look very tired?

[VanMan]

Ramirez grounds to Hudson to retire the side, but the Cubs add three runs on five hits. Two left on base. Going to the bottom of the ninth, Cubs lead 6-1.

[VanMan]

Is it me, or does Derrek look very tired?
Len and Bob thought he was trying to avoid the throw home from Jackson.

[VanMan]

Milwaukee went 1-2-3 in the 7th. I'm starting to smell a 1-1/2-game lead sometime in the next hour.

[VanMan]

Michael Wurtz is pitching now because it's not a save situation.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Pat and Ron are worried that he hurt himself on the play :(

[VanMan]

Orlando Hudson stuck out on a check swing.

[VanMan]

Byrnes walked. Meanwhile, the Cardinals lost to the Braves, so they'll likely fall to 4 back.

[VanMan]

Also, the Giants added a run as Klesko scored on a double play. Jackson just doubled, Byrnes advanced to third, one out.

[VanMan]

Snyder takes a strike. Slider misses low and away, 1-1. Pitch in the dirt, 2-1. High fly ball, left field, Monroe has it, Byrnes scores on the sac fly, throw cut off at short to keep Jackson at second, two down for Reynolds.

[ryno4ever]

On your feet Cub fans! One out to go!

[VanMan]

Fastball to Reynolds is in the dirt, ball one. Another fastball low, 2-0. Another fastball low, 3-0. Another fastball hit 50 feet away, ball four, and Lou is coming out to bring in Dempster with the tying run on deck.

[VanMan]

You'd think this'd be one of the easiest saves there is, one out to make, tying run on deck, Cubs leading 6-2.

[ryno4ever]

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

CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! HOLY COW!

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/7th%20inning%20stretch/harryc.gif

[VanMan]

First pitch to Upton is a strike called. Swing and a miss on a slider, 0-2. Slider in the dirt away, 1-2. Pop fly to right, Jones coming in, makes the catch! Cubs win! Cubs win! They're currently a full game up on Milwaukee and four up on St. Louis. Cubs win, 6-2.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Ramirez grounds to Hudson to retire the side, but the Cubs add three runs on five hits. Two left on base. Going to the bottom of the ninth, Cubs lead 6-1.

I'm watching the game on FSN and this loser, Daron Sutton (Son of HOF pitcher) said A-Ram not running to 1st on a ground out "what a joke". That makes me really mad, A-Ram has had leg problems and maybe doesn't want to get hurt on a meaningless ground ball out. Sutton was a real big joke in Milwaukee, now hes a sour loser in Arizona.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

I'm watching the game on FSN and this loser, Daron Sutton (Son of HOF pitcher) said A-Ram not running to 1st on a ground out "what a joke". That makes me really mad, A-Ram has had leg problems and maybe doesn't want to get hurt on a meaningless ground ball out. Sutton was a real big joke in Milwaukee, now hes a sour loser in Arizona.

What an idiot. Well as Cub fans I think we would rather let that out go rather than lose him for the season.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

What an idiot. Well as Cub fans I think we would rather let that out go rather than lose him for the season.

Yeah, no sense losing a guy like that over the dumb idea of running every meaningless out out (Like a guy who I really like, who is hurt lately, David Eckstein.)

[VanMan]

The Giants continue to lead, 11-6, in the bottom of the 8th. Looks like we'll wake up tomorrow morning with a game-and-a-half lead.

[VanMan]

It's over, it's all ov-vah in San Fran. Joe Dillon ends the game with a double play to give the Giants an 11-6 victory. Cubs are now 1 1/2 games ahead of the Brewers, four up on the Cards.