8/28 MIL@CHC, 7:05p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: WGN

[ryno4ever]

Okay, it's a little early, but this could be one of the biggest series of the year! I think this series may be more intense than a Cubs Cards game...unless the Brewers really have rolled over and played dead! This is one of the few times remaining this year where the Cubs CAN control what happens to our competition for first place. We haven't been able to control the Brewers win/loss record for most of the season, but Tuesday's game can. If we can pull the series win off, then we may face the same situation soon with the Cardinals, but we have to pull this one off...and I have to keep my sanity through this series to be able to see the Cardinals series! This, my friends, is what a race in baseball is all about!

[ryno4ever]

The battle for first place in the National League Central begins on Tuesday night as the Milwaukee Brewers come to Chicago for the start of a three-game series.
This will actually be the last time the two teams will meet this season, and it opens up a 10-game homsetand for the Cubs.

Cubs manager Lou Pineilla wouldn't go as far as to say this is a defining series for the club, but it does have meaning.

"I think it's a little early," said Piniella. "It's an important series, but it's still early. Putting it in perspective, it's still August. This is an important homestand for us. We have to make some hay on the the homestand."

The Cubs will welcome Alfonso Soriano back to the lineup for this game. The team was 8-12 while Soriano was on the disabled list with a right quad strain.

Rich Hill will take the mound for the Cubbies, and he's coming off one of his best starts of the season, even though he wasn't able to come away with a victory. He allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out 10.

Piniella and the rest of the team said all weekend long during the D-backs series that they weren't really scoreboard watching to see what Milwaukee was doing, because as Jacque Jones put it: "We take care of our business and we'll be fine. If we don't, we won't."

This series will be the perfect chance to really take care of some business and expand their lead in the division race.

Pitching matchup
CHC: LHP Rich Hill (7-7, 3.67 ERA)
Hill is 1-1 with a 3.86 in five career starts against the Brewers,

MIL: RHP Jeff Suppan (8-11, 4.85 ERA)
Suppan is 5-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 15 career starts against the Cubs.

Player to watch
Derrek Lee has owned Suppan in his career. Lee is hitting .455 (15-for-33), with five doubles, three homers, and nine walks in his career against the Brewers right-hander.

[ARamfan]

Okay, it's a little early, but this could be one of the biggest series of the year! I think this series may be more intense than a Cubs Cards game...unless the Brewers really have rolled over and played dead! This is one of the few times remaining this year where the Cubs CAN control what happens to our competition for first place. We haven't been able to control the Brewers win/loss record for most of the season, but Tuesday's game can. If we can pull the series win off, then we may face the same situation soon with the Cardinals, but we have to pull this one off...and I have to keep my sanity through this series to be able to see the Cardinals series! This, my friends, is what a race in baseball is all about!

You wouldn't be at all excited about this game would you, Heather? ;) You definitely need to hang on to your sanity as much as possible through this. I think that's going to be tough for all of us! BTW, are you off work tomorrow night?

[ryno4ever]

I'm not as much excited as anxious. I just don't want this first place feeling to end, and the way our "offense" failed to show up for the most part of the last road trip, the only thing that really makes me feel any better is knowing that the Brewers pitching is really killing them.

Yeah, Mara, I'm off work tomorrow night and Wednesday night. I make the schedule at work and made sure I was off! I wouldn't be able to really concentrate at work! I do have to work during Thrusday's game, however.

[ryno4ever]

Paul Sullivan sums it up:

Four things can happen by the end of Thursday night's game.

The Cubs will have dealt Milwaukee a psychological blow with a sweep, or they'll have knocked the Brewers down a peg with two wins. Perhaps they'll let the Brewers regain momentum by dropping two of the three games, or even fall back out of first with a Milwaukee sweep.

[ARamfan]

I guess "anxious" is a better word to use here. The bats were not hot on the road trip, but with a rested Soriano coming back tomorrow, maybe that will spark something in the offense. We can only hope. :confused: Also, thanks again for the pic you took of me on TV, taking a picture of Aramis!! It's great! I appreciate it.

[ryno4ever]

I guess "anxious" is a better word to use here. The bats were not hot on the road trip, but with a rested Soriano coming back tomorrow, maybe that will spark something in the offense. We can only hope. :confused: Also, thanks again for the pic you took of me on TV, taking a picture of Aramis!! It's great! I appreciate it.

You are more than welcome. Eric and I had thought we had seen you later in the game (I didn't get home until about the third inning)...then I got to playing around with my new camera, so I didn't pay a whole lot to the tv. Then, when the replay of the game came on about 2am, I watched the beginning of it and couldn't believe that the tv camera was zooming in on you taking a picture of Aramis...and I was itching so badly to take a picture of SOMETHING with my new camera. It was very weird how it all came together!

[ryno4ever]

I REALLY hope that the boys all eat their Wheaties for breakfast, lunch and supper tomorrow night...oh, and maybe a mid-afternoon snack!

[Doba]

With Fonzie back I think it is time to bury the Brew crew. We could have them 4.5 down with a month left of the season if we should sweep. That could cut this down to a 2 team race between us and the Cards.

[Doba]

Lineups are posted. Soriano is back at leadoff with Theriot in the 2 hole.

[VanMan]

OK, here are the starting line-ups for the first of the three-game set that could ultimately determine the winner of the NL Central:

Milwaukee Brewers (65-65, 2nd in NL Central, 1 1/2 GB)
1. Rickie Weeks, 2B (.227, 6 HR, 21 RBI)
2. Corey Hart, RF (.280, 15 HR, 54 RBI)
3. Prince Fielder, 1B (.281, 39 HR, 97 RBI)
4. Ryan Braun, 3B (.324, 25 HR, 66 RBI)
5. Kevin Mench, LF (.265, 6 HR, 30 RBI)
6. Bill Hall, CF (.258, 12 HR, 51 RBI)
7. Johnny Estrada, C (.282, 8 HR, 40 RBI)
8. J.J. Hardy, SS (.275, 23 HR, 72 RBI)
9. Jeff Supan, P (.083, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 8-11, 4.85 ERA)

Chicago Cubs (66-63, 1st in NL Central)
1. Alfonso Soriano, LF (.297, 18 HR, 47 RBI)
2. Ryan Theriot, SS (.288, 3 HR, 39 RBI)
3. Derek Lee, 1B (.311, 15 HR, 67 RBI)
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B (.310, 18 HR, 79 RBI)
5. Cliff Floyd, RF (.291, 5 HR, 39 RBI)
6. Mark DeRosa, 2B (.292, 8 HR, 60 RBI)
7. Jacque Jones, CF (.270, 5 HR, 47 RBI)
8. Jason Kendall, C (.245, 3 HR, 37 RBI)
9. Rich Hill, P (.125, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 7-7, 3.67 ERA)

[ryno4ever]

It looks like there is a chance for a Zambrano/Sheets match up in this series! As if this series isn't exciting enough!

[VanMan]

Well, it's 10 minutes until the first pitch. How's everyone's heart rates?

[Doba]

I think I'm going to be ordering MLB.tv just for this series.

[VanMan]

Len just had an open saying that when Ramirez hit that walk-off, the Cubs sent a message to the Brewers that "it's our division, and you can't have it."

[ARamfan]

Well, it's 10 minutes until the first pitch. How's everyone's heart rates?

My heart rate and blood pressure are already up because the audio went off on mlb.tv's comcast broadcast! :eek: How are ya tonight, Eric?

[VanMan]

One minute to first pitch.

[VanMan]

How are ya tonight, Eric?

Got a little soreness in the back. I think I strained something today at the gym. Luckily, my TV's to the right of my computer, because if it was to the left, it'd be painful every time I turn my head that way. :D

[VanMan]

Rich Hill is completing his warm up tosses. The wind is blowing straight out at Wrigley Field, 87 degrees, heat index 92, 13 mph out of the SSW, forecast is "smokin' hot!"

[VanMan]

Weeks steps into the box to start the game for the Brewers. First pitch is a ball, low and away. Fastball, 90, upstairs, 2-0 to Weeks. Weeks swings and misses a belt-high heater, 2-1. An 88 mph fastball is called strike two. Fastball, 92, fouled off the hands. The Stars and Stripes are starched. Curve just misses high, full count. Fastball, called strike three, Weeks, on his way to first, looked back to the home-plate ump disagreeing with the call.

[VanMan]

Hart takes a big cut at a 92 mph fastball for strike one. Curve is fouled off, 0-2. Fielder on deck. Fastball misses inside, 93 mph, ball one. Strike three called on the inside corner on a 93 mph fastball. Take off those sunglasses, Corey, cuz it's nighttime!

[VanMan]

Fielder fouled the first pitch off the screen. Fastball swung and missed up and in, 92, for strike two. Fielder fans on a high 91 mph fastball. Backwards K, K, K for Hill.

Middle 1st, Brewers 0, Cubs coming up

[Doba]

Struck out the side in the first!!! Great start.

[VanMan]

Hill looks like he's pumped up for this game, either that or the Brewer sluggers are trying to kill the baseball after seeing the wind blow out to center.

[VanMan]

Soriano, just activated off the DL for his quad injury suffered in the Sunday Nighter against New York, takes an off-speed Suppan pitch for a strike. Soriano fouls the next pitch back, 0-2. Pitch in the dirt, but fouled off to the bricks. High fastball is grouned to Hardy, over to Fielder retires Soriano.

[VanMan]

Theriot fouls the first pitch to the right. Curve misses low and away, 1-1. An 82 mph breaker is over for strike two. The 1-2 is fouled to the right, and a fan boots it. Grounder to Hardy, Theriot slipped coming out of the box, throw to Fielder is in plenty of time. Two down.

[VanMan]

Lee takes a 72 mph curve that bends over the knees for a strike. Slider, 89, misses low and away, 1-1. Sinker misses low, 2-1. Lee is 20 for 50 vs. Milwaukee with a homer. He swings and misses an 89 mph fastball, 2-2. An 87 mph fastball catches the outside corner for strike three.

End 1st, Cubs 0, Brewers 0

[VanMan]

Hey, it's Lou Piniella's 64th birthday today!

[VanMan]

Braun takes a fastball inside, ball one. Fastball, 92, hits the outside corner, strike one. Grounder foul past third, 1-2. High fastball swung and missed, one down.

[VanMan]

Mench takes a 90 mph fastball inside, but caught black. Curve misses low, 1-1. Mench is 3 for 8 with two homers vs. Hill. A hump-backed liner finds its way into left field, Soriano able to get it to hold Mench to a single.

[Doba]

Dang.....I was hoping for 27 strait strikeouts.

[VanMan]

Hall takes an 89 mph fastball inside, ball one. Fastball, 93, misses high and in, 2-0. Fastball, 93, hits the outside corner at the logo, strike one. Hall swings and misses at a fastball, 92, it's 2-2. Cards leading at Houston. Foul ball in and out of Kendall's glove keeps Hall alive. Tapped grounder on a curve, but finds foul ground. Fastball, 91, misses high. Payoff pitch is swung and missed. That's five strike outs out of six hitters.

[VanMan]

Dang.....I was hoping for 27 strait strikeouts.
Still could have 27 strike outs.

[VanMan]

Estrada swings and misses the first pitch. Curve looked like it got over, ump was fooled, but called ball. Pop fly in back of short. Theriot is there for the catch. Well, there won't be 27 strike outs tonight.

No runs, a hit, one left for Milwaukee.

Middle 2nd, Cubs 0, Brewers 0

[Doba]

5ks through 2 innings. Hill is on it tonight.

[ARamfan]

Hey, it's Lou Piniella's 64th birthday today!

Happy Birthday Sweet Lou! :) Let's see what kind of graphic Heather comes up with for this when she logs on!

[VanMan]

Ramirez leads off the Cub 2nd. Suppan misses low and away with a curve, ball one. Fastball fouled away, 1-1. Slider misses inside, ball two. Sinker/slider misses low and away, 3-1. Grounder up the middle is through for a base hit. Ramirez starts the inning with a base knock to center.

[VanMan]

Floyd takes an 88 mph fastball at the knees. Sinking change up misses low, ball one. Fly ball to left center, Hall is there for the catch near the track.

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes a fastball low, ball one. Another fastball is fouled to the right, 1-1. An 87 mph sinking fastball is over for strike two. Suppan misses away on a fastball, it's 2-2. Hit hard to Hardy, and it's a 6-4-3 double play. No runs, a hit, none left.

End 2nd, Cubs 0, Brewers 0

[Doba]

They are hitting the ball. Just need to find some holes.

[VanMan]

Hardy leads off the 3rd. Hill uncorks a very high fastball, ball one. Hardy fouls the next pitch off the screen, 1-1. Off-speed pitch misses high and away, 2-1. Foul back, 2-2. Grounder off Hill, can't field it cleanly, Hardy able to beat it out for an infield hit.

[VanMan]

Suppan showed bunt, but takes a fastball, 90, low. He bunts the next pitch foul. Suppan bunts, Lee fields, turns and throws to DeRosa covering first. Hardy advances to second on the sacrifice.

[VanMan]

Weeks steps in, but first, Hill wheels and fakes Hardy back to second. Another fake move to second sends Hardy back. The pitch... foul to the screen. Curve ball is driven through the hole to left for a single. Hardy holds at third as Weeks gets a single.

[VanMan]

First pitch to Hart is inside for a ball. Then, a pitch low, 2-0, as Kendall comes out to talk to Hill. Fly ball to right field near the line, Floyd is over, makes the catch. Hardy tags and scores, the throw goes to second, but Weeks is able to make it to second with two out.

[VanMan]

Fielder swings and misses at a pitch well outside. Next pitch, he grounds the ball up the middle, but the Cubs have a shift on, and Theriot fields and throws out Fielder at first to retire the side. One run, two hits, one left.

Middle 3rd, Brewers 1, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

Jones takes a ball outside, then a strike, and then he fouls one off the screen, 1-2. Curve ball, 73, misses low, ball two. Another curve, 81, misses low, it's full. Liner over Braun for a solid single to left.

[VanMan]

Kendall waits as Suppan whirls and throws to Fielder to keep Jones close at first. The pitch is a sinker, 88, over for strike one. Slider, 83, misses low and away, 1-1. Grounder through the hole, base hit! Jones stops at second as Kendall singles to left.

[VanMan]

Hill comes up to attempt to move the runners, but bunts the first pitch foul near the right-handed batters' box. Fielder is fairly close at first. Hill bunts through the pitch, strike two. The 0-2 is bunted off Estrada for strike three, and Estrada took the brunt of it.

[VanMan]

Soriano lifts the first pitch into right field. Hart is over to make the catch, but Jones tags and goes to third with two out for Theriot.

[VanMan]

Theriot grounded out to end the 3rd inning. Afterwards, Braun led off the 4th with a single, Mench struck out, then Hall grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

Middle 4th, Brewers 1, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

Lee on an 0-2 pitch flies just to the right of straight-away center, but Hall's there for the catch.

[VanMan]

Ramirez takes a curve for strike one. He swings and misses a slider low and away, 0-2. Fastball, 90, misses away, ball one. Change-up, 78, misses low, 2-2. Grounder up the middle, Weeks streaks in to field it, he spins, throws and gets Ramirez by two steps.

[VanMan]

Floyd takes an off-speed pitch for strike one. Fastball, 89, misses low and in. Grounder to Weeks, over to Fielder to retire the side. 1-2-3 go the Cubs.

End 4th, Brewers 1, Cubs 0

[ryno4ever]

Hi everyone!!! I'll be back on in just a bit, have to put junior to bed.... but I had to do this (I read Mara's post about Lou's birthday)....so, Lou, from all of us at fogpog.....


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

and

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Cubs%20Animations/happybirthday.jpg

Go Cubbies...come on, find your bats!!!!

[VanMan]

Estrada leads off the 5th, pulls the first pitch way foul and out of play. Fastball, 91, up and away, 1-1. Estrada fouls a high fastball back to the screen, 1-2. Hanging curve is foul into the Brewer bull pen. Fly ball to center, Jones is there to make the catch, one out.

[VanMan]

Hardy takes the first pitch for a strike, but then deposits the next pitch into right-center field off the vines for a double.

[VanMan]

Suppan fouls the first pitch off, then takes a high curve. The 1-1 is fouled off the screen. Curve is chopped over Hill, Theriot charges and fields, throws to Lee after chasing down the squirrly hop. Hardy advances to third, two gone.

[VanMan]

Weeks fouls the first pitch off, then takes a strike on the inside corner. The 0-2 plunks Weeks, first and third, two out.

Hart fouls off the first pitch. High fastball misses, Weeks steals second, Kendall drops the ball, Weeks had stopped to try to do a double steal. Curve is taken for strike two. Fans on their feet. Fastball just missed high and in, 2-2. Hart fouls off the next pitch off the screen. Curve ball flares into short center, Hardy and Weeks score, it's 3-0.

[VanMan]

Fielder takes a slider away, 82. He swings and misses a slider in, 83, 1-1. Fastball, 92, is low, 2-1. Another fastball, 90, misses low and away, 3-1. Pop fly behind short, Theriot is there to retire the side. But the Brewers score twice on two hits, a hit batter and one left.

Middle 5th, Brewers 3, Cubs 0

[Doba]

Some offense would be nice tonight.

[VanMan]

DeRosa fouls the first pitch off the screen. A slider, 86, is over for strike two. Michael Wuertz is up in the Cub pen. Slider misses away, 1-2. Change up is swung and missed, one down.

[VanMan]

Jones swings and misses a bounced pitch, strike one. Off-speed pitch catches the zone, 0-2. A 74 mph change swung and missed, two down.

[VanMan]

Kendall takes a strike, then lets one go off the outside edge. Pop foul to the right, Fielder chases, but it reaches the seats, 1-2. Slider is golfed into left. Mench runs over to field the ball off the turf, Kendall makes the turn and tries for two, the throw is not in time, a double for Kendall.

[VanMan]

Hill follows with a single to left to score Kendall, making the score 3-1. Soriano then grounds to Braun, he goes the short way to retire Hill and the side.

End 5th, Brewers 3, Cubs 1

[VanMan]

In the top of the 6th, Braun flies out to right-center, and Mench and Hall strike out swinging.

Middle 6th, Brewers 3, Cubs 1

[VanMan]

Theriot flies out to Hall in right-center on a 2-0 pitch.

[VanMan]

Lee slices a 1-0 pitch down the right field line off the sidewall. The replay showed it could've been a foul ball, but Lee is able to get a single. Ned Yost is out to discuss the play.

[VanMan]

Ramirez takes a slider low and away, ball one. He fouls an outside fastball to the right, 1-1. Pickoff attempt at first, Lee back. Fastball, 88, misses low and away, 2-1. Ramirez grounds sharply to Braun, to Weeks for one, to Fielder for the around-the-horn double play. No runs, a hit and none left for the Cubs.

End 6th, Brewers 3, Cubs 1

[VanMan]

You'd have to think the Brewers will have to get to their bullpen, and with the exception of Cordero, the pen sucks.

[VanMan]

Estrada takes a strike. He swings and foul tips a high away fastball, 0-2. High pop up behind second. DeRosa calls for it and makes the catch, one down.

[VanMan]

Scott Linebrink is throwing the Brewer pen.

[ARamfan]

I'm back. Had to pick up junior and serve dinner. So, I see Kendall scored. :) Where are the bats tonight? They need to come out soon. It's starting to get late in the game.

[VanMan]

Hardy takes a strike. Fastball, 91, is up and in, making Hardy duck. Pop foul behind the Brewer dugout, 1-2. Fastball, 91, fouled back and out of play. St. Louis is now up 7-0 over Houston. Fastball, 91, misses up and away, 2-2. Curve is pulled into left for Hardy's third hit of the night.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

I was yelling at my TV about Cubs hitters not adjusting to pitches down and away, thats where Arizona pitched Sunday and Suppan is/was tonight. Suppans not pitching great, Cubs hitters are giving too much ground. Lee is making me mad.

[VanMan]

Suppan bunts on the first pitch, Lee picks it up and throws to DeRosa covering first, Hardy goes to second on the sacrifice with two out.

[ryno4ever]

This whole offense is making me mad.... I had to put the remote in the other room, or I was gonna throw it!http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/not%20so%20fun%20times/EmoAngry.gif

Hill is pitching so well that if he doesn't get this W, I'd be pi$$ed if I were him! He is the only one with an RBI!!!!

[VanMan]

Weeks pops the first pitch back and out of play. Fastball, 91, swung and missed, 0-2. High fastball, 91, called strike three. Now time for Mr. Baseball Bob Uecker to sing.

Middle 7th, Brewers 3, Cubs 1

[VanMan]

This whole offense is making me mad.... I had to put the remote in the other room, or I was gonna throw it!http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/not%20so%20fun%20times/EmoAngry.gif

Hill is pitching so well that if he doesn't get this W, I'd be pi$$ed if I were him! He is the only one with an RBI!!!!
They showed a graphic earlier that Hill has the lowest run support in the National League with only 2.7 runs per game.

[ryno4ever]

And the Cardinals are winning 7-0...so if we can't pull off a comeback, they will only be a game behind us!

[ryno4ever]

They are trying too damn hard, they just need to relax and hit the ball!

[ryno4ever]

Come on Cliff! These swings they are taking are just WEAK!

[ARamfan]

And the Cardinals are winning 7-0...so if we can't pull off a comeback, they will only be a game behind us!

OMG, that is SCARY!! :eek:

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Whats worse than watching the Cubs with no offense and sitting through a 7th inning stretch with that clown. I am listning on the radio and the fans resang the stretch during the break because that clown screwed it up.

[VanMan]

Floyd swings and misses a curve, strike one. A 71 mph change is offered with a half-swing, but a full strike, 0-2. Fastball, 88, upstairs for ball one. The 1-2 hits Floyd on the right elbow. That'll hurt for a while.

[ARamfan]

Hey Heather, it may be time to pull out our little angel. ;)

[VanMan]

Scott Linebrink is coming in with no one out and a runner on first. Suppan pitched six-plus innings, gave up one earned run on six hits, walked none, hit one and struck out four.

[VanMan]

Yeah, we need the Rally Angel!

[ryno4ever]

RIGHT on the elbow! OUCH!

[ryno4ever]

Yeah, we need the Rally Angel!


We'll give her a shot! (And as I am writing this, DeRo comes through!)http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif

[VanMan]

DeRosa steps in against Linebrink. First pitch, 90 mph fastball, misses away. Another fastball, 90, swung and missed, 1-1. Fastball, 91, misses just outside, 2-1. Brian Shouse warming up. Grounder into the hole with Floyd running, Hardy able to glove it but the throw is not close to being in time. An infield single for DeRosa, Floyd at second.

[ryno4ever]

no double plays, no double plays, no double plays!

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

[ryno4ever]

Maybe I should just change our little angel to be my avitar!

[VanMan]

Jones takes one low and in. Howry is up in the Cub pen. Drilled to the gap, Floyd will score, DeRosa around third, and he will score! Jones with at 2 RBI double to tie it at three! Keep that rally angel coming, Heather!!!

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

JONES BABY, JONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif Thank you, Mr. Floyd...have a cold one with Harry for us!

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

I am making my vote now JONES FOR FOGPOG PLAYER OF THE GAME :D

[cubbyfanforever]

Wow,It worked! can we put a Cubby hat on the Angel?

[ryno4ever]

One more run! Hill deserves the W!

[VanMan]

Kendall takes one low. Fastball, 89, away, ball two. Ward is on deck to PH. Kendall fouls one off the fists, 2-1. Fouled off the screen, 2-2. Jones at second. High fastball stabbed foul. Seth McClung joins Shouse in the Brewer pen. Fly ball to right, Hart is there, Jones tags, but holds, one out.

[Doba]

Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!! Thank you Jonesy!!

[ARamfan]

Wow,It worked! can we put a Cubby hat on the Angel?

Good idea. ;)

[ryno4ever]

Wow,It worked! can we put a Cubby hat on the Angel?

I don't wanna mess with the angel...he does wonderful just the way he is! (BTW, for the ones who haven't joined us on the game threads before, we found the angel the night Floyd came back.... the angel represents our new 26th man on the team, our Angel in the Outfield, Floyd's dad!)

[VanMan]

Daryle Ward pinch hits for Hill, who now cannot lose this game. Slider misses inside, ball one. Slider in the dirt inside, ball two. And now they'll intentionally walk Ward.

[ryno4ever]

Here is Soriano's BIG moment to shine!

[VanMan]

Soriano next up. Soriano flies the first pitch near the right field line. Jones tags and advances to third, Ward holds at first, two out.

[ryno4ever]

INCITE THE RIOT!!!!!

[cubbyfanforever]

There is a "I hate Jones " Post,can someone delete it from this site!

[SKIPPER 11]

why did we not bunt Kendall

[ryno4ever]

THE http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/players/riotepileptic.gif

[VanMan]

Theriot up next with runners on the corners. Fastball, 94, hit the outside corner. Another fastball, 93, low and away. Time called by Estrada. Foul to the right, 1-2, on a 93 mph fastball away. Linebrink steps off. Grounder to Linebrink, he bobbles! Cubs take the lead, 4-3!!!!

[cubbyfanforever]

The Riot did it! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ryno4ever]

THE http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/players/riotepileptic.gif

[SKIPPER 11]

well i guess that answers the Q, THANKS FOR THE LUCK uEKER

[SKIPPER 11]

THATS AWESOME rYNO

[VanMan]

Lee is next, with Pie, pinch running for Ward, at second, Theriot at first, two gone. A 77 mph breaker misses. Linebrink was charged with an error. Fastball, 91, misses away, 2-0. Tailing fastball, 91, hits the outside corner for strike one. Sharp grounder to left, Pie around third will score, 5-3 Cubs!

[ryno4ever]

IT'S TIME TO GO CRAZY!!!!

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/myspace-codes-animations-56.gif

[SKIPPER 11]

Rammy needs a big hit right here to get him going again. I know he was 1-3 , but Im looking for that loud hit

[ryno4ever]

THATS AWESOME rYNO

Can you tell I'm having fun with the fact that Scuba allows animations now??? :D

[VanMan]

Yost will bring in another reliever, McClung. Linebrink pitched 2/3 of an inning, is responsible for the runners on base, so far allowed three runs, one earned, on three hits, walked one intentionally and didn't strike out anyone.

[Doba]

That is more like it. We NEED this game.

[cubbyfanforever]

Bob Uecker had enough in the booth,thanks for giving the Crew bad luck!

[ryno4ever]

It usually works when we post a pix of Aram, too, so here we go.....

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/mararamis.jpg

[SKIPPER 11]

damnit

[VanMan]

Ramirez is next. A 96 mph fastball hits the outside corner, strike one. Change up swung and missed, 0-2. Ramirez fouls off a 97 mph fastball. Change up, 76, swung and missed. But the Cubs score four times on three hits, an error, a hit batter and an intentional walk, two left on base.

End 7th, Cubs 5, Brewers 3

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/thApplause-1.gif That was more like it...but come on, do they really HAVE to keep us waiting until the seventh inning or later to make it interesting?

[VanMan]

It usually works when we post a pix of Aram, too, so here we go.....

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/mararamis.jpg
Just stick with the Rally Angel.

[SKIPPER 11]

Hart Fatman and Robin due

[ryno4ever]

Wow, I think this is the most people we have ever had on a game thread at one time before! This is awesome!

[ARamfan]

Can you tell I'm having fun with the fact that Scuba allows animations now??? :D

Yes! I loved that last one. It IS time to go crazy. WHAT AN INNING!! :D

[cubbyfanforever]

Guys if we can hold on ,Brew Crew will go the 3rd place! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ryno4ever]

Hart Fatman and Robin due
na na na na na na FATMAN!http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/brewers/pa3323-lge.jpg

[VanMan]

Jones now playing right, Pie in center, Howry in to pitch, so he'll bat in Floyd's slot.

[VanMan]

Hart takes a strike. He flies foul to the right-field stands near the Brewer pen, 0-2. High fastball, 94, swung and missed, strike three.

[ARamfan]

Just stick with the Rally Angel.

Okay, that's enough of that! :rolleyes:

[ryno4ever]

Here comes fatman and robin

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/brewers/batmanrob.gif

[VanMan]

Fielder, 0 for 3, flares one to left. Soriano comes in but plays it on the hop. Single for Fielder.

[ARamfan]

Guys if we can hold on ,Brew Crew will go the 3rd place! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, that makes it even better!!!!!

[cubbyfanforever]

Da ..Da.. Da.. Da Da.DaDa..DADADADADA....DA!CHARGE!!!!

[VanMan]

Braun takes a half-hearted swing on a 92 mph fastball, strike one. He's 0 for 2 with 2 Ks vs. Howry. Fastball, 92, misses inside, 1-1. Fastball again, 92, hits the outside corner for called strike two. High fastball swung and missed, two gone.

[VanMan]

Mench, 1 for 3, fouls the first pitch on a 92 mph fastball. He's 1 for 8 with a double against Howry. High, tight fastball, 92, hits Mench in the hand. First and second with two out.

[ryno4ever]

Come on...Howry, get out of this!!! Go ahead run is at the plate!

[ARamfan]

Wow, I think this is the most people we have ever had on a game thread at one time before! This is awesome!

Maybe having the game thread up early helped.

[ryno4ever]

I wish i were at Wrigley, right now!

[ryno4ever]

Hey Mara...remember that anxiety attack I was talking about.... it's gettin close!

[cubbyfanforever]

I'll be there tomorrow,hope it is as exciting as tonight!

[Doba]

I wish i were at Wrigley, right now!

Don't we all.

[ryno4ever]

AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!

[Doba]

I can't handle this.

[ryno4ever]

ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW???????

[ryno4ever]

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[ryno4ever]

Someone buy that man a steak dinner!

[cubbyfanforever]

YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Doba]

Thank god that AB is over.

[VanMan]

Gabe Gross will pinch hit for Hall. He's 4 for 22 as a pinch hitter. Fastball, 95, misses away, ball one. Scott Eyre is warming up. Another 95 mph fastball misses away, 2-0. Estrada is on deck. Another 95 mph fastball this time is swung and missed, strike one. Another 95 mph heater swung and missed, 2-2. Crowd on its feet! The set, the 2-2... fastball, 94, high, full count. How about a change up on 3-2? Howry gets the sign, comes set, the pitch, runners go, Gross fouls it off, another fastball. Ryan Dempster has joined Eyre in the pen. Kendall flashes the sign. The 3-2... another foul ball. Howry toes the slab, looks in for the sign, comes set, the pitch, 93, fouled back. I'd love to see a change up right here to get Gross out in front. The 3-2... fouled off again. Howry didn't like the ball he got, so he asks for another. Another foul ball on 3-2, the 10th pitch of the AB. Howry looks for the sign, comes set... the pitch... another foul, that was just off the low-outside corner. Howry and Gross going toe-to-toe. Howry comes set. Hung a change-up, but it's lined slowly to DeRosa to retire the side. No runs, a hit, a hit batter, and two left.

Middle 8th, Cubs 5, Brewers 3

[SKIPPER 11]

What a job Howry- I swear Gross scares me as much as Braun and Feilder

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/heckyeah.png Wow!!!!

[VanMan]

^^^
I think that was the longest sequence I've typed out since I've been doing play-by-play on this board.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

What a job Howry- I swear Gross scares me as much as Braun and Feilder

No kidding that guy has been Mr. Clutch lately!!

[SKIPPER 11]

Hell F yeah

[VanMan]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/heckyeah.png
HELL YEAH!

[SKIPPER 11]

No kidding that guy has been Mr. Clutch lately!!

Yes since they brought him back up he has been killing it

[ARamfan]

Hey Mara...remember that anxiety attack I was talking about.... it's gettin close!

I was just wondering how you were doing with that. At least they're ahead at this point in the game and not tied or down. That would be worse! I think you're dealing with it well so far. :)

[VanMan]

Gross stays in to play right field, Hart to center, McClung will be removed for Shouse, Fontenot was announced as a pinch hitter for Howry.

[SKIPPER 11]

Shouse is death on lefties- Monroe time

[ARamfan]

He!! yeah!

[VanMan]

Craig Monroe will pinch hit for Fontenot. Sidearm slider misses away, ball one. Sidearm slider, 81, fouled off, 1-1. Sidearm off-speed pitch swung and missed, 1-2. Change up fouled off. Sidearm 82 mph pitch away, 2-2. Grounder foul past Quade. Offspeed pitch up and away swung and missed, one away.

[VanMan]

DeRosa fouls off the first pitch to the right, 0-1. Slowball away, 1-1. Swing and a miss, 1-2. Pitch misses away, 2-2. 40,884 in attendance tonight. Swing and a miss, strike three, two down.

[VanMan]

88% of the CSN pollees said less than 83 wins are needed to win the division.

[SKIPPER 11]

O kay maybe he is death on everybody

[VanMan]

Jones takes a strike. Offspeed pitch away is swung and missed, 0-2. Another further outside is swung and missed, nothing doing in the 8th for the Cubs.

End 8th, Cubs 5, Brewers 3

Here comes Dempster for the 9th. Brewers will have Estrada, Hardy and a pinch hitter (maybe Jenkins) in the 9th.

[ARamfan]

88% of the CSN pollees said less than 83 wins are needed to win the division.

That's pretty amazing, isn't it?

[SKIPPER 11]

tough nninth coming- Hardy is hot

[ryno4ever]

I was just wondering how you were doing with that. At least they're ahead at this point in the game and not tied or down. That would be worse! I think you're dealing with it well so far. :)

I turned the game on in my son's room and laid down with him to get him to go to sleep (he was exhausted tonight) and he told me that I had either just lay in there with him, or put the remote controls in his bed so that when he got up in the morning, we still had all of our remotes. (This was before the rally! But, after I had heard the Cards were blowing out the Astros)

[VanMan]

Monroe will play left field as Dempster comes in.

[SKIPPER 11]

with the bat that is

[ryno4ever]

Come on Demp!!!!!

[ryno4ever]

Wow... maybe we should rename "fatman" to Estrada! He's bigger than Fielder!

[VanMan]

Estrada fouls one off himself. A slider is called strike two. Estrada is 3 for 6 against Dempster. Change up is swung and missed, strike three.

[ryno4ever]

One down!!!!!!! nice!

[VanMan]

Hardy takes an offspeed pitch up and in, ball one. He's 3 for 3 tonight. Slider misses inside, 2-0. Jenkins is on deck. Fly ball, right field corner, Jones over to make the catch, two gone. Everyone on your feet, you too, Heather.

[ryno4ever]

ON YOUR FEET CUB FANS!!!!! ONE OUT TO GO!!!

[Doba]

ONE MORE OUT!!!

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

ON YOUR FEET!!!

[ryno4ever]

CUBS WIN!!!! CUBS WIN!!!!

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

[SKIPPER 11]

cubs win cubs win

[cubbyfanforever]

CUBS WIN!CUBS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Drockvb]

[WEEEEEEEE!!!!!:D

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

CUBS WIN!!! CUBS WIN!!! Late inning offense is going to give me a heart attack ;)

[SKIPPER 11]

listen to the crowd- how awesome is that

[ryno4ever]

Go Cubs Go..o o
Go Cubs Go..o o
Hey Chicago Whattya say
the Cubs are gonna win today!!!!

[VanMan]

Jenkins to pinch hit for Shouse. Curve ball, 88, swung and missed. Breaking ball misses up and away, 1-1. Grounded foul at the plate, 1-2. Crowd is getting louder, sensing the win. Another grounded foul on a splitter. High fastball taken for ball two. Splitter swung and missed. CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! The Cubs extend their lead on Milwaukee by 2 1/2 games, but remain two up on St. Louis.

Final score, Cubs 5, Brewers 3

Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey fogpog, whatdoya say? Cubs are gonna win today!

[Doba]

Can we all have a collective sigh of relief now?

[ryno4ever]

40000+ singing in unison the best song in the whole world!!!!!

[Drockvb]

Haha, i am going to post in the i hate Jones thread. :p

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Can we all have a collective sigh of relief now?

Shef says yes, I think we all need it as he is humming Go Cubs Go. :D

[ARamfan]

Can we all have a collective sigh of relief now?

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!:D

[VanMan]

Totals for the game, Cubs score five runs on nine hits, commit no errors, leave five on base. The winning pitcher is Rich Hill, improving to 8-7. The save goes to Ryan Dempster, his 22nd. The Brewers had three runs on eight hits, one costly error, and six left on. The loser is Scott Linebrink, he drops to 4-6.

[cubbyfanforever]

Haha, i am going to post in the i hate Jones thread. :p

Someone should delete that thread! Jones has been playing AWESOME!

[ryno4ever]

Now that the Cards are right on our tails, I have a feeling we are gonna have intense games like this for the rest of the season! Very little room for error!

[ARamfan]

Now that the Cards are right on our tails, I have a feeling we are gonna have intense games like this for the rest of the season! Very little room for error!

I have no doubt that this will be the case. How are we going to make it through this without a heart attack, breakdown or stroke? :eek:

[cubbyfanforever]

Guys,the Cards still has to play Arizona,Phillies,Brew Crew,and NEW York Mets,We have a weaker schedule .

[ARamfan]

Guys,The Cards still has to play Arizona,Phillies,Brew Crew,and NEW York Mets,We have a weaker schedule .

That may be true, but having them nipping at our heels this late in the season is scaring me to death. :(

[ryno4ever]

I have no doubt that this will be the case. How are we going to make it through this without a heart attack, breakdown or stroke? :eek:

We have a great support group here! Cubs Anonymous! LOL! There actually is a real Cubs Anonymous group out there that has a 12 step program!

[ARamfan]

We have a great support group here! Cubs Anonymous! LOL! There actually is a real Cubs Anonymous group out there that has a 12 step program!

Are you serious? What are the 12 steps? :rolleyes:

[cubbyfanforever]

Guys,I had a blast tonight with you guys,it was exciting and fun,hope the Cubbies can do it again tomorrow!

[VanMan]

Well, someone's going to have to run the PBP tomorrow, because I work Wednesday nights. I'll be listening on the radio in the car (and maybe in the store if I can persuade our MOD to let me tune it to 1650) and hoping we'll drive the Brewers closer to the Reds than to us.

[ryno4ever]

Are you serious? What are the 12 steps? :rolleyes:

1.Admit we are powerless over the Cubs winning the World Series in our lifetimes.


2.Have come to believe that giving up hope of the Cubs winning a pennant can restore us to sanity.


3.Make a decision to enjoy the Cubs one day at a time.


4.Take an inventory of all the suffering that has befallen us as Cubs fans.


5.Admit to ourselves and others that following the Cubs is a life long painful commitment.


6.We are entirely ready to stop our pain!


7.Humbly ask for help if we choose to remain a Cubs fan.


8.Make a list of why we should believe in the Cubs.


9.Admit to ourlseves and others that it's only a game.


10.Continue to reinforce our decision to love the Cubs, win or lose.


11.Seek other means of enjoying the Cubs outside of Wrigley Field.


12.Spread the word that smiles will return to our faces -- NEXT YEAR !


cubsanonymous.com (http://cubsanonymous.com/home.htm)

[ARamfan]

That's great. LOL I would definitely have trouble with step 9 though.

[ryno4ever]

Well, someone's going to have to run the PBP tomorrow, because I work Wednesday nights. I'll be listening on the radio in the car (and maybe in the store if I can persuade our MOD to let me tune it to 1650) and hoping we'll drive the Brewers closer to the Reds than to us.

LOL! I make my employees listen to the game...

Also, when I interview potential new hires, I ask them if they are a Cubs, Cardinals, or White Sox fan.... (I actually heard to do this on WGN's Kathy and Judy).... if they are a Cub fan, it shows they have loyalty!!!!

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

That's great. LOL I would definitely have trouble with step 9 though.

You know that is the exact same one that stood out to me and I said HELL NO couldn't do it. Not even an option ;)

[ARamfan]

Well, someone's going to have to run the PBP tomorrow, because I work Wednesday nights. I'll be listening on the radio in the car (and maybe in the store if I can persuade our MOD to let me tune it to 1650) and hoping we'll drive the Brewers closer to the Reds than to us.

We'll miss your PBP tomorrow, Eric. I know some of us will be here tomorrow, especially those of us who need the support group during this series!

[VanMan]

We'll miss your PBP tomorrow, Eric. I know some of us will be here tomorrow, especially those of us who need the support group during this series!
I guess I can agree with the others who have called this board a little support group. You know, I wonder if Red Sox fans had a support group like we do now before they won in 2004?

[ryno4ever]

That's great. LOL I would definitely have trouble with step 9 though.
I wouldn't be able to make it through that either, I didn't talk to my mom for days after she pulled the "Honey, don't cry, it's only a game" line on me as the 2003 playoffs ended for us and I just sat on her couch and cried during the postgame show. My dad looked at her and told her that was the absolute worst thing in the world to say to me right now...as he was choking back the tears, too!

It looks as if that site hasn't even been updated since 2005! I had actually had those printed out and framed and hung on my wall by my computer for the longest time!

[ryno4ever]

I'll be here tomorrow night...and promised my son we would order from the new pizza place in town tomorrow night so I won't be cooking!

[ARamfan]

I'll be here tomorrow night...and promised my son we would order from the new pizza place in town tomorrow night so I won't be cooking!

I bought one of those frozen one-skillet dinners for tomorrow! LOL

[ryno4ever]

[QUOTE=ARamfan;31426]I bought one of those frozen one-skillet dinners for tomorrow! LOL[/QUOTEI

I hate to cook! I am a disaster waiting in the kitchen. I shouldn't even be allowed to have a kitchen!!! Tonight's horror story: I made cinnamon rolls for my son for breakfast in the morning. Simple, right? It was one of those Pillsbury tube of cinnamon rolls. Open the tube, put them in the pan, put them in the oven for 10 minutes... I can't screw them up, right? WRONG! Last week, I bug bombed my house, so I put some of the dishes that normally sit on a shelf I have in my kitchen into the oven. I pulled all of them out before I baked the rolls...EXCEPT THE GLASS CASSEROLE DISH which I put on the very bottom of the oven...right on the burner. It has been so hot here lately, I haven't used the oven and forgot it was there. It was glass, so I didn't really see it when I pulled the other pans out of the oven. I baked the rolls, pulled them out of the oven. Right after I closed the oven door, I heard glass shatter! I opened the door and there was glass shattered into hundreds of pieces all over the bottom of the oven!

So, I am going to resort back to microwaved meals and ordering out!

[VanMan]

I hate to cook! I am a disaster waiting in the kitchen. I shouldn't even be allowed to have a kitchen!!! Tonight's horror story: I made cinnamon rolls for my son for breakfast in the morning. Simple, right? It was one of those Pillsbury tube of cinnamon rolls. Open the tube, put them in the pan, put them in the oven for 10 minutes... I can't screw them up, right? WRONG! Last week, I bug bombed my house, so I put some of the dishes that normally sit on a shelf I have in my kitchen into the oven. I pulled all of them out before I baked the rolls...EXCEPT THE GLASS CASSEROLE DISH which I put on the very bottom of the oven...right on the burner. It has been so hot here lately, I haven't used the oven and forgot it was there. It was glass, so I didn't really see it when I pulled the other pans out of the oven. I baked the rolls, pulled them out of the oven. Right after I closed the oven door, I heard glass shatter! I opened the door and there was glass shattered into hundreds of pieces all over the bottom of the oven!

So, I am going to resort back to microwaved meals and ordering out!
And yet, you're a manager of a Pizza Hut. It's a wonder where they find them. ;)

[ryno4ever]

AND I took cooking classes in high school...yeah, they really paid off!