9/4 LAD @ CHC, 7:05 p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: WGN

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/dodgers/dodgers-1.jpg

VS

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Cub%20Logos/ththCubsFlag2.gif

It's been more than 2,300 days, six managers, 1,800 seats in the bleachers and at least eight catchers since Steve Trachsel last started for the Cubs.
On Tuesday night, Trachsel will return to the ballpark where his career started, leading the Cubs against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second game of this four-game series.

Acquired last Friday from the Baltimore Orioles for two Minor Leaguers, Trachsel broke into the big leagues with the Cubs in 1993, and exited after the '99 season, compiling a 60-69 record and 4.35 ERA with the team.

"The one thing I haven't accomplished in my career is a World Series," Trachsel said. "Here would be, obviously, one of the better places to do it. The possibilities are there, so we just have to try to take advantage of them."

His last start with the Cubs was Oct. 3, 1999, at St. Louis, a 9-5 loss. Remember the lineup then? Lance Johnson led off and played center, Mickey Morandini was at second, Sammy Sosa in right, Mark Grace at first, Glenallen Hill in left, Shane Andrews at third, Jeff Blauser at short and Jose Molina catching.

In that game, the right-hander gave up eight runs, six earned, on eight hits over 3 1/3 innings, including Mark McGwire's 65th homer. Sosa also connected that day, hitting his 63rd.

Trachsel was the Cubs' Opening Day starter in '99, and finished the year 8-18 with a 5.56 ERA. Since then, he has pitched for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (and current Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild), the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Mets and the Orioles.

The right-hander is still deliberate in his delivery, so be prepared for a slow-paced game. It's a Trachsel trademark.

How slow is Trachsel? According to STATS Inc., he is averaging three hours and three minutes in his games this year, ninth slowest among all Major League pitchers. Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka are the slowest with an average time of 3:11.

He is tied for seventh slowest among active pitchers with at least 100 career starts at 2:57. The slowest? Orlando Hernandez and Russ Ortiz take the longest, averaging 3:01.

By the way, his last win for the Cubs was Sept. 22, 1999, also against the Cardinals, when he struck out seven, gave up three runs over six innings and dragged out action for two hours and 52 minutes. That's so long ago, Rick Ankiel was pitching for St. Louis.

This year, Trachsel has posted quality starts in each of his last four starts and five of his last six with the Orioles.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him pitch," Cubs mananger Lou Piniella said. "He's been throwing the ball well, according to our reports. He's got experience, he's been through this, so he's going to be a help here, no question."

Hopefully, Trachsel's shoe company delivers some appropriate footwear to match his Cubs uniform by Tuesday. On Monday, he was still stuck wearing his black and orange Orioles-colored Nikes.

Maybe someone who's a size 11 can loan him a pair.

Pitching matchup
CHC: RHP Steve Trachsel (6-8, 4.48 ERA)
Trachsel was needed for his experience. He had a solid August, posting a 2.37 ERA last month. The only player left from his first stint with the Cubs is Kerry Wood.

LAD: RHP Brad Penny (14-4, 2.88 ERA)
Penny struggled against the Nationals on Wednesday afternoon, allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out only one in five innings. The righty didn't figure in the decision, despite leaving the game down, 8-3. The Nationals just peppered the All-Star, putting the ball in play pitch after pitch, and Penny didn't help his cause, leaving his fastball up in the zone too often. Penny is 2-2 with a 2.60 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs.

Player to watch
Aramis Ramirez is hitting .429 (9-for-21) against Penny.

[ryno4ever]

I'll be on hopefully in the first inning.... I have an open house at my son's school tonight until 7pm. But I thought I would get this up and going so that we'll have a good turnout tonight for the game.

[VanMan]

Don't worry, Heather, I have this all covered.

[VanMan]

Gameday just posted the line-ups. The follow below...

[VanMan]

L.A. Dodgers (72-65, 3rd in NL West, 4 GB)
1. Rafael Furcal, SS (.279, 5 HR, 43 RBI)
2. Juan Pierre, CF (.290, 0 HR, 34 RBI)
3. Matt Kemp, RF (.333, 9 HR, 34 RBI)
4. Jeff Kent, 2B (.296, 17 HR, 74 RBI)
5. Luis Gonzalez, LF (.279, 12 HR, 56 RBI)
6. Russell Martin, C (.297, 17 HR, 81 RBI)
7. James Loney, 1B (.311, 6 HR, 40 RBI)
8. Andy LaRoche, 3B (.200, 0 HR, 5 RBI)
9. Brad Penny, P (.245, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 14-4, 2.88 ERA)

Chicago Cubs (70-66, 1st in NL Central, 1.5 games ahead)
1. Alfonso Soriano, LF (.298, 20 HR, 45 RBI)
2. Ryan Theriot, SS (.281, 3 HR, 41 RBI)
3. Derek Lee, 1B (.310, 17 HR, 72 RBI)
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B (.316, 19 HR, 82 RBI)
5. Daryl Ward, RF (.333, 2 HR, 14 RBI)
6. Mark DeRosa, 2B (.286, 8 HR, 63 RBI)
7. Jacque Jones, CF (.269, 5 HR, 50 RBI)
8. Jason Kendall, C (.248, 3 HR, 37 RBI)
9. Steve Trachsel, P ([lifetime] .163, 3 HR, 40 RBI, [2007 w/ BAL] 6-8, 4.48 ERA)

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Very strange intro on comcast.

[VanMan]

CSN just opened the telecast with a little rewind of some of yesterday's highlights, ending the segment right before the homer by Lee Sunday afternoon. I guess Len said if it were as simple as hitting a rewind button.

[VanMan]

They're showing Z's appology from the pre-game presser. He's now saying he loves the Cub fans and they have the right to boo.

[VanMan]

Penny almost was as bad as Z in August, 1-2 in six starts.

[VanMan]

So, who's going to watch Gameday to report on Milwaukee and St. Louis? We need a Corey Provis to my Pat Hughes and Heather's Ron Santo.

[VanMan]

Steve Trachsel is making his warm-up tosses right now on the Wrigley Field mound for the first time since the 1999 season.

[VanMan]

Furcal steps in to lead-off the game. It's 85 and hazy in Chicago, wind blowing 5 mph to LF, and Furcal swings at the first pitch and one-hops to Lee for the first out.

[VanMan]

Pierre takes a strike on the inside corner on an 87 mph fastball. Curve, 76, misses away, 1-1. Pierre bunts a low ball foul, 1-2. Grounder back to Trachsel, over to Lee to get Pierre, two away.

[VanMan]

Kemp takes a very high curve for ball one. Trachsel drops a curve that CB Bucknor called a strike. Ball misses, 2-1. Grounder to Ramirez, he bobbles, can't make a play, score that E-5.

[VanMan]

Kent takes a fastball just off the plate, ball one. Trachsel makes a move to first, Kemp's back. Curve misses low, 2-0. Fastball misses outside, 3-0. Fastball, 88, catches the inside corner, Bucknor calls strike one. Trachsel steps off. Kemp is picked off first, Lee puts him in the pickle, throws to DeRosa, Kemp falls, but DeRosa does make the tag for the out. No runs, no hits, an error and no one left.

Middle 1st, Dodgers 0, Cubs coming up

[ryno4ever]

Hi Eric! I'm back from the school....I'll try to keep up with the milwaukee and st. louis games.

[VanMan]

Soriano leads off the game for the Cubs, sponsored by Benny's Beverage Depot. If he hits safely, Benny's donates $100 to JDRF.

Penny throws a fastball, 89, that Soriano swings and misses, strike one. Foul ball behind the screen, 0-2. Fastball whizzes behind Soriano's head, ball one. Grounder to the hole, Furcal fields it and puts it in his pocket, infield single for Soriano.

[VanMan]

Thanks Heather.

[VanMan]

Theriot singles the first pitch into the hole to right, Soriano advances to second with none out.

[ryno4ever]

Milwaukee just went up 1-0 on a Cory Hart double

[ryno4ever]

St. Louis is up 1-0

[VanMan]

Lee takes a curve in the dirt, ball one. Fastball, 93, catches the knee level, Bucknor calls strike one. Slider bounces in the left-hand batters box, 2-1. Fastball, 95, swung and missed, 2-2. Lee is 4 for 8 vs. Penny. Fastball, 95, misses high, it's full. Ramirez on deck. Ground ball to Furcal, to Kent for one, pivot to Loney for the double play.

[VanMan]

Ramirez takes a curve away, 79, ball one. Soriano at third, two gone. Fastball, 95, misses inside, 2-0. Slider, 85, misses low and away, 3-0. Ward is on deck. Fastball, 96, tails high and in for ball four.

[VanMan]

Ward, .392 as a starter, steps in with the runners on the corners and two out. He takes a fastball, 96, outside, ball one. Sinking fastball, 95, misses low, ball two, six straight bad ones after the DP. Fastball, 96, misses high and away, ball three. Ward's 4 for 11 with 2 out RISP. Ball four on a 96 mph fastball loads the bases for DeRosa.

[ryno4ever]

Milwaukee just went up 1-0 on a Cory Hart double

edit....it was a Braun homer....

[VanMan]

DeRosa sent the first pitch to right, but Kemp tracks it down in the well for the final out. No runs, two hits, two walks, three left.

End 1st, Cubs 0, Dodgers 0

[ryno4ever]

Top 1st: Houston
- H. Pence flied out to deep center
- C. Burke flied out to left
- L. Berkman struck out swinging

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, Milwaukee 0

Bottom 1st: Milwaukee
- R. Weeks flied out to left
- G. Gross grounded out to first
- R. Braun homered to deep left
- P. Fielder singled to left
- C. Hart doubled to deep left, P. Fielder to third
- G. Jenkins popped out to shallow left

1 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors
Houston 0, Milwaukee 1

[ryno4ever]

Top 1st: Pittsburgh
- N. Morgan flied out to center
- J. Bautista struck out swinging
- F. Sanchez flied out to center

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Pittsburgh 0, St. Louis 0

Bottom 1st: St. Louis
- D. Eckstein doubled to left
- R. Ankiel doubled to deep right, D. Eckstein scored
- A. Pujols grounded out to first, R. Ankiel to third
- J. Edmonds hit sacrifice fly to left, R. Ankiel scored
- C. Duncan flied out to left

2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
Pittsburgh 0, St. Louis 2

[VanMan]

Kent singles on the first pitch of the second inning.

[ryno4ever]

Top 2nd: Houston
- C. Lee popped out to shallow left
- M. Loretta safe at first on second baseman R. Weeks' throwing error
- L. Scott flied out to right
- T. Wigginton singled to left, M. Loretta to second
- E. Munson flied out to deep center

0 runs, 1 hits, 1 errors
Houston 0, Milwaukee 1

[VanMan]

Gonzalez takes a slider away, ball one. Pitch misses outside, 2-0. Fastball, 87, high, 3-0. Fastball, 86, on the outer half of the plate, strike one. Another fastball, 87, misses away, ball four.

[VanMan]

Martin shows bunt, but takes an 87 mph fastball on the outside corner, strike one. Change, 81, misses low and away, 1-1. Change, 84, misses low, 2-1. Curve, 75, is over for strike two. Flare goes to right field, Ward picks it up... HE THROWS TO SECOND! IT'S IN TIME!!! Gonzalez is forced out at second, 9-6 fielder's choice.

[ryno4ever]

Top 2nd: Pittsburgh
- A. LaRoche singled to left
- J. Bay flied out to center
- S. Pearce grounded into fielder's choice, A. LaRoche out at second
- S. Pearce picked off at first, catcher to first

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors
Pittsburgh 0, St. Louis 2

[VanMan]

Loney takes a two-seamer for strike one. Curve, 78, misses low, ball one. Line drive to Theriot, he tries to catch Martin off first, he got him! Two big defensive plays by the Cubs keep the Dodgers off the scoreboard.

No runs, a hit, a walk, one left.

Middle 2nd, Cubs 0, Dodgers 0

[ARamfan]

Hi guys! I got stuck in traffic, but I'm finally home. Thanks Heather, for doing the scoreboard watching for us. If you have to leave, I'll be glad to cover for you. I can at least post the current scores. I'll be in and out tonight, have to get my son at 10 till the hour and will be doing dinner, but other than that I'm available to watch and post the scores. :)

[VanMan]

Jones takes a fastball away, ball one. Pop foul on a 93 mph fastball, out of play, 1-1. Another fastball, 94, lined out of play to the left. Fastball, 96, low, ball two, 2-2. Change up fooled Jones, swing and a miss.

[VanMan]

Heather, Mara, I was thinking one of you can do one game, and the other can do the other.

[ryno4ever]

Bottom 2nd: St. Louis
- Y. Molina grounded out to shortstop
- R. Branyan lined out to third
- J. Pineiro struck out swinging

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Pittsburgh 0, St. Louis 2

[VanMan]

Kendall takes a fastball high, ball one. Fastball, 94, sinks over the knees, strike one called. Grounder to Furcal up the middle, over to Loney for the second out.

[ryno4ever]

Bottom 2nd: Milwaukee
- J. Estrada flied out to left
- J.J. Hardy walked
- C. Villanueva grounded into fielder's choice, J.J. Hardy out at second
- R. Weeks walked, C. Villanueva to second
- G. Gross singled to second, C. Villanueva to third, R. Weeks to second, C. Villanueva scored, R. Weeks to third, G. Gross to second on first baseman L. Berkman's throwing error
- R. Braun grounded out to third

1 runs, 1 hits, 1 errors
Houston 0, Milwaukee 2



WE GOT SOME WORK TO DO GUYS!

[VanMan]

Trachsel takes a fastball for a strike. He fouls a 93 mph fastball to the screen, 0-2. Curve, 78, misses low, ball one. Fastball, 94, is fouled off to the right and out of play. Grounder to Furcal, over to Loney to retire the side. Cubs go 1-2-3 in the second.

End 2nd, Cubs 0, Dodgers 0

[VanMan]

It seems the Cubs are seeing Penny's pitches well, and getting some good wood on some, but just can't scratch a run yet.

[VanMan]

LaRoche leads off the third. He pops the first pitch, a curve, behind the screen. Change-up, 82, is low and away, ball one. Change is fouled off Kendall, 1-2. Fastball, 88, misses well high, 2-2. Change up is swung and missed, one out.

[VanMan]

Penny fouls off the first pitch on an 86 mph fastball. Curve is flown to left center, Jones is there to make the catch, two gone for Furcal.

[VanMan]

Furcal takes a letter-high fastball, 87, for a strike. Curve, 75, misses low and away, ball one. Grounder to DeRosa, toss to Lee to retire the side. A 1-2-3 inning for Trachsel.

Middle 3rd, Cubs 0, Dodgers 0

[VanMan]

I see Pittsburgh tied it up.

[VanMan]

Soriano fouls back the first pitch to the screen. Fastball, 90, travels up and in, but Soriano fouled it off to protect himself, 0-2. Fastball, 92, misses away, ball one. Change, 84, rolled foul past third. Time called, Martin will go to talk with Penny about the next pitch. Fastball, 93, fouled off the outside corner. Pop fly in front of second, Furcal over to make the catch.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Heather we need the angel!!! Early offense would be nice tonight :)

[VanMan]

Theriot takes a curve that didn't break and backs him off, ball one. Grounder back to Penny, he has trouble handling it, but is able to recover and throw out Theriot.

[ryno4ever]

Top 3rd: Houston
- B. Backe walked
- H. Pence grounded into double play second to first, B. Backe out at second
- C. Burke homered to deep left
- L. Berkman doubled to deep left
- C. Lee lined out to shortstop

1 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, Milwaukee 2

[VanMan]

Lee fouls a 96 mph fastball to the screen. Fastball just off the inside corner to croud Lee, 1-1. Fastball misses high, 2-1. Lee drives one to right, Kemp lets it rattle off the bricks behind the ivy, Lee motors and slides into second with a two-out double.

[VanMan]

Ramirez takes a curve low and away, ball one. Grounder to Furcal, over to Loney to retire the side. No runs, a hit, one left.

End 3rd, Cubs 0, Dodgers 0

[ryno4ever]

Top 3rd: Pittsburgh
- R. Paulino singled to left
- J. Wilson singled to right, R. Paulino to second
- M. Morris sacrificed to pitcher, R. Paulino to third, J. Wilson to second
- N. Morgan grounded out to shortstop, R. Paulino scored, J. Wilson to third
- J. Bautista doubled to deep center, J. Wilson scored
- F. Sanchez walked
- A. LaRoche fouled out to third

2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors
Pittsburgh 2, St. Louis 2


http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif Sorry it's a little late.... had to get my son his supper.

[VanMan]

AFLAC Trivia:

When was the last time the Cubs led the division heading into September?

[ryno4ever]

Bottom 3rd: Milwaukee
- P. Fielder flied out to right center
- C. Hart grounded out to third
- G. Jenkins doubled to deep center
- J. Estrada grounded out to shortstop

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, Milwaukee 2

[ryno4ever]

AFLAC Trivia:

When was the last time the Cubs led the division heading into September?

1998?

[VanMan]

Pierre takes a curve low, ball one. Fastball catches the outside corner, strike one. Curve, Pierre shortens up, takes a strike two. Foul on an 87 mph fastball. Grounder to DeRosa, flip to Lee, close play, he got 'im, one down.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

AFLAC Trivia:

When was the last time the Cubs led the division heading into September?

That would be 1989!!

[ryno4ever]

Trachsel is doing pretty good so far! I feel a little more confident with him on the mound vs Penny than I would have with Marshall.

[VanMan]

1998?
I think I heard it was 1989.

[VanMan]

Kemp takes a curve low and away, ball one. Splitter low, ball two. Kemp fouls off the next pitch, 2-1. Grounder past Trachsel, DeRosa ranges well up the middle, off balance throw... not in time. Infield single for Kemp.

[ryno4ever]

Bottom 3rd: Milwaukee
- P. Fielder flied out to right center
- C. Hart grounded out to third
- G. Jenkins doubled to deep center
- J. Estrada grounded out to shortstop

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, Milwaukee 2


Bottom 3rd: St. Louis
- M. Cairo grounded out to shortstop
- D. Eckstein singled to center
- R. Ankiel walked, D. Eckstein to second
- A. Pujols flied out to center, D. Eckstein to third, R. Ankiel to second
- J. Edmonds walked
- C. Duncan doubled to deep left, J. Edmonds, R. Ankiel and D. Eckstein scored

[VanMan]

Kent flies the first pitch off the end of the bat to right, Ward is there to make the catch.

[VanMan]

As Gonzalez steps in, Trachsel makes a move to first, Kemp back in time. Another move to first, Kemp back in plenty of time. Kemp runs, pitch is away, throw is to the shortstop side of the bag and not in time.

[ryno4ever]

Bottom 3rd: St. Louis
- M. Cairo grounded out to shortstop
- D. Eckstein singled to center
- R. Ankiel walked, D. Eckstein to second
- A. Pujols flied out to center, D. Eckstein to third, R. Ankiel to second
- J. Edmonds walked
- C. Duncan doubled to deep left, J. Edmonds, R. Ankiel and D. Eckstein scored
- Y. Molina grounded out to pitcher

3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
Pittsburgh 2, St. Louis 5

[VanMan]

It's 1-0 on Gonzalez with Kemp on second. A curve, 81, misses away, 2-0. Liner past Lee into right, Kemp scores, it's 1-0 Dodgers.

[VanMan]

Martin pops the first pitch to right, Ward is there for the final out of the inning, but the Dodgers score one on two hits, one left.

Middle 4th, Dodgers 1, Cubs 0

[ryno4ever]

Top 4th: Houston
- M. Loretta flied out to left center
- L. Scott doubled to deep center
- T. Wigginton struck out swinging
- E. Munson grounded out to shortstop

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, Milwaukee 2

[VanMan]

AFLAC answer:

1989

[VanMan]

Ward takes a fastball on the low-outside corner for a strike. Fastball, 94, fouled off, 0-2. Change up is fouled off. High fastball drilled to center for a single.

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes a change for a strike. A 12-6er is swung and missed, 0-2. Another curve, 76, misses low and away, ball one. Fastball, 94, misses low, 2-2. Curve, 78, misses low and away, full count. With Ward running, DeRosa singles sharply to left, Ward chugs around second and tests Gonzalez's arm. Throw doesn't make it to the infield as Gonzo slips, runners on the corners, none out.

[ryno4ever]

come on JJ!

[VanMan]

Jones checks his swing on a change-up, he held up, ball one. Slider is swung and missed, 1-1. Sinker, 87, misses low and in, 2-1. Chopper, foul, and Jones didn't like his effort on that one, 2-2. Curve is fouled off Jones' helmet in the box. Bouncer to Kent, the flip to Furcal to get DeRosa, but nothing else. Ward scores on the RBI fielder's choice, tie score at 1.

[VanMan]

Kendall takes a strike on the inside corner. Grounder to Furcal, he steps on second to get Jones, and throws to first to complete the double play, but the Cubs scratch across a run on two hits, none left.

End 4th, Cubs 1, Dodgers 1

[ryno4ever]

Top 4th: Pittsburgh
- J. Bay singled to left
- S. Pearce grounded into fielder's choice, J. Bay out at second
- S. Pearce stole second
- R. Paulino grounded out to shortstop
- J. Wilson grounded out to second

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors
Pittsburgh 2, St. Louis 5

[ryno4ever]

Bottom 4th: Milwaukee
- J.J. Hardy lined out to right
- C. Villanueva flied out to deep center
- R. Weeks grounded out to shortstop

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Houston 1, Milwaukee 2

[VanMan]

Loney takes an off-speed pitch for a strike. Swing and a miss, strike two. Loney went too far on a high fastball, strike three.

[VanMan]

LaRoche fouls one off. Slider misses away, 1-1. Spitter is swung and missed, 1-2. High fastball, 88, is foul tipped into the mit, strike three.

[VanMan]

Penny fouls the first fastball, 87, to the screen. Penny lines one fair down the left field line, he loafs into second for a double ahead of the throw from Soriano.

[ryno4ever]

I'll be back in a few minutes, I have to get my son ready for bed.

[VanMan]

Furcal takes a splitter at the letters, strike one. Time called. Fastball, 88, misses, 1-1. Splitter misses away, 2-1. Line drive through Trachsel and into center for a single, Penny is held at third.

[VanMan]

Pierre, with runners on the corners and two out, waits as Trachsel throws to send Furcal back to first. Liner over Lee for an RBI single. Furcal goes to third, it's 2-1 Dodgers.

[VanMan]

Kemp takes a curve for a strike, Pierre goes, Kendall bluffs a throw, Furcal holds at third. Another liner to left, Furcal scores easily, Soriano throws to the plate, there's a play, Pierre's out by a mile. But, the Dodgers score twice on four hits, one left on base.

Middle 5th, Dodgers 3, Cubs 1

[Drockvb]

Blahhh!!

[VanMan]

Trachsel will lead off the Cub fifth. He takes a fastball, 90, for a strike. Grounder to Kent, over to first for the out.

[VanMan]

Soriano pops the first pitch behind short, Furcal there to make the catch.

[VanMan]

Theriot steps in as Penny talks with Loney. First pitch, a fastball, 93, for a strike on the low inside corner. Curve, 81, called strike two. Fastball, 96, misses high and away, ball one. Grounder to Kent, over to first to complete the 1-2-3 inning.

End 5th, Dodgers 3, Cubs 1

[VanMan]

Looks like we might've missed the opportunity to get Penny in the 1st and 4th innings.

[VanMan]

Kent fouls a fastball, 86, back to the croud behind the screen. Fastball, 86, misses low and away, 1-1. Fastball, 83, misses high, 2-1. Splitter, 76, high, 3-1. Pop up on the infield, Theriot makes the catch, one out.

[VanMan]

Gonzalez takes a curve, 74, for a strike. Kerry Wood gets loose. Fastball fouled back and out of play. Time called before the 0-2. Change, 82, misses low and away, ball one. Hanging curve is grounded to Theriot, over to Lee for the second out.

[ARamfan]

No good news to report as of yet:

Top of the 5th
STL ahead of Pittsburgh 5-2

Top of the 6th
MIL beating Houston 4-1

[VanMan]

Martin takes a splitter on the inside corner, strike one. Fastball, 88, misses low and away, ball one. Splitter, 81, in the dirt, ball two. Curve bounces in there, 3-1. Fastball, 88, fouled back and out of play, full count. Grounder to Theriot, throw to Lee to get Martin and retire the side. One-two-three go the Dodgers.

Middle 6th, Dodgers 3, Cubs 1

[VanMan]

Lee, Ramirez and Ward are due up for the Cubs, so we'll probably see them make some hey.

[ARamfan]

I'm back now from picking up my son and getting dinner on the table. I see Heather is putting junior to bed.

My question, Eric, is how to I get the info off of gameday to post for our scoreboard watching? :confused:

[VanMan]

Lee takes a curve on the low-outside corner for strike one. Curve, 76, is fouled off to the right, 0-2. Fastball, 95, away is shot foul into the stands. Fastball up and in swung and missed for strike three. That was just Penny's second strike out.

[VanMan]

Ramirez hits one hard and through LaRoche's legs. It's an error.

[VanMan]

I think Heather just types the result from each AB.

Meanwhile, Ward drives one off the CF wall, Ramirez heads around third, he's sent by Quade, the relay by Furcal is up the line a bit, Ramirez slides around Martin safely! Cubs cut the lead to 3-2 with Ward at second.

[VanMan]

DeRosa loops one to right for a single, Quade holds up Ward after he had a late start.

[VanMan]

Meeting on the mound now.

[ARamfan]

Rammy SLID INTO HOME AND SCORED! My heart is racing!!!!!! :D

[VanMan]

Jones takes a change low, ball one. High fastball, 95, swung and missed, 1-1. Aces wild. Grounder to Kent, throw to Furcal for one, relay to Loney, Jones slides, he's out for the double play. But the Cubs add a tally on two hits, an error and one left.

End 6th, Dodgers 3, Cubs 2

[Drockvb]

UGH!! I hate the slide into first base. I bet that cost us a run there.

[ARamfan]

[QUOTE=VanMan;32265]I think Heather just types the result from each AB.

Oh, I thought there was some way to copy and paste the PBP of each inning from gameday.

[VanMan]

Loney leads off the 7th, facing Kerry Wood. First pitch is a fastball, 95, low and in. Chopper foul toward the Dodger dugout, 1-1. Slider, 84, misses away, 2-1. Check swing, appeal to third, no swing, 3-1. Fastball is floated into left for a single.

[VanMan]

LaRoche swings at a change up, strike one. Wood chases Loney back to first. Fly ball to left, Soriano takes a chance, but it finds its way into the seats out of play, 0-2. Wood throws to Lee to check on Loney. Liner slices into the right-field corner past Ward, Loney scores all the way from first, LaRoche stops at second with an RBI double, 4-2 Dodgers.

[VanMan]

Penny shows bunt, but Wood thows it outside, ball one. Bunt foul off Kendall's mask, 1-1. Fastball, 92, at the knees, strike two. Change up swung and missed, one gone.

[VanMan]

Furcal grounds to Theriot, LaRoche advances to third, two gone.

[VanMan]

Pierre takes a fastball, 96, that tailed inside on Wood. Another fastball, 95, fouled off his foot, the backswing gets Kendall on the shin guard. Pierre bunts, Lee fields, Wood covering, Pierre beat him, LaRoche scores on the RBI bunt single, 5-2.

[VanMan]

Kemp steps in as Wood makes a move to Lee to attempt a pickoff of Pierre. Pitch out, no movement, 1-0. Will Ohman is up in the Cub bullpen. Pickoff try, Pierre back. Fastball, 94, misses just low, 2-0. Fastball, 94, fouled off, makes it 2-1. Wood steps off before the 2-1. Change up is foul tipped, 2-2. Bouncer, past Ramirez, Theriot barehands and tries to flip to DeRosa, but not in time to get Pierre, Kemp gets an infield single.

[ryno4ever]

I'm back.... thanks for keeping up, Mara... BTW.... I do just copy and paste from the Yahoo updates for the scores of each of the other games. Milwaukee vs Houston (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270904108&page=plays) and St. Louis vs Pittsburgh (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270904124&page=plays)

[VanMan]

Kent swings and misses at a fastball, 92. Grounder to Ramirez, he goes across the diamond to get Kent. Two runs on four hits, two left.

Middle 7th, Dodgers 5, Cubs 2

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/7th%20inning%20stretch/harryc.gif Stretch time! LET'S GET SOME FREAKING RUNS!!!!

[ARamfan]

I'm back.... thanks for keeping up, Mara... BTW.... I do just copy and paste from the Yahoo updates for the scores of each of the other games. Milwaukee vs Houston (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270904108&page=plays) and St. Louis vs Pittsburgh (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270904124&page=plays)

Okay, I knew you got it from somewhere. That's good to know. ;) Okay, we need to score runs, lots of them!

[VanMan]

Ah, we thought you did Gameday.

[ryno4ever]

Brewers 4 Astros 2
Cardinals 6 Astros 2

[ryno4ever]

The lack of offense may be coming back to bite us really bad in this series!

[VanMan]

Kendall is up. He takes a fastball on the outside corner for strike one. Another fastball, 95, taken for a strike, 0-2. Fastball, 92, fouled off. Grounder to Furcal, over to Loney for the first out.

[ARamfan]

Ah, we thought you did Gameday.

But Gameday gives you starting lineups prior to the game, doesn't it?

[VanMan]

Fontenot will pinch hit for Wood. He takes a fastball high and away, 93 mph. Fastball, 94, misses low and in. Fastball, 95, misses high, 3-0. Fastball, 93, down the pipe, strike one. Another fastball, 94, just misses for ball four.

[ARamfan]

The lack of offense may be coming back to bite us really bad in this series!

If they don't come to life it will! :( There's still time though.

[VanMan]

But Gameday gives you starting lineups prior to the game, doesn't it?
Yes, it does.

[VanMan]

Grady Little out to chat with Penny, as the Dodger pen just got going, prior to Soriano coming to the plate.

[ryno4ever]

Come on guys, give us one of those nail biting comebackers! the 7th inning has been pretty magical lately, so lets get something going!

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

[VanMan]

Soriano takes a dialed-down fastball, 89, for ball one, inside. He then flies to center, Pierre is camped under it for out number two.

[ARamfan]

Cardinals 6 Astros 2

Shouldn't this be the Pirates? LOL I think you're anxious like the rest of us! :)

[VanMan]

Theriot grounds to Martinez, over to Loney to retire the side. No runs, no hits, a walk and one left.

End 7th, Dodgers 5, Cubs 2

[ARamfan]

Come on guys, give us one of those nail biting comebackers! the 7th inning has been pretty magical lately, so lets get something going!

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

We've had some great nail biting comebacks lately! And we've got the rally angel up and running.

[Drockvb]

Brewers 4 Astros 2
Cardinals 6 Astros 2

Man , the Astros are having a tough night!!! LOL^^^

[ryno4ever]

GRRRRRRRRR

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/not%20so%20fun%20times/4_2_204v.gif


BTW....Houston just scored, it is now 4-3, Brewers still up by one.

[ryno4ever]

Man , the Astros are having a tough night!!! LOL^^^

Sorry....I have a huge headache tonight....and this game isn't helping it much! Pirates and Astros are having a bad night...although, the Astros are inching back into it.

[ARamfan]

[QUOTE=ryno4ever;32297]GRRRRRRRRR

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/not%20so%20fun%20times/4_2_204v.gif


Oh, I love this little guy. He looks just like I feel, a lot of the time!

[ryno4ever]

Top 7th: Houston
- S. Linebrink relieved C. Villanueva
- C. Hart in right field
- B. Hall in center field
- E. Munson safe at first on second baseman R. Weeks' fielding error
- M. Lamb grounded out to shortstop, E. Munson to second
- H. Pence singled to center, E. Munson scored
- C. Burke singled to center, H. Pence to second
- L. Berkman walked, H. Pence to third, C. Burke to second
- C. Lee grounded into fielder's choice, H. Pence scored, C. Burke to third, L. Berkman out at second
- M. Loretta grounded out to third

2 runs, 2 hits, 1 errors
Houston 3, Milwaukee 4

[VanMan]

Ohman comes in to pitch in the 8th, mainly to face Gonzalez. He throws a fastball, 89, over for strike one. Slider, 83, misses low and away. Curve, 81, is over for strike two, 1-2. Fastball, 89, fouled back off the screen. Gonzalez rips one foul behind the Dodger bullpen. Slider, 83, misses high and in, 2-2. Grounder up the middle, DeRosa can't get it, a single for Gonzalez to lead off the 8th.

[ryno4ever]

[QUOTE=ryno4ever;32297]GRRRRRRRRR

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/not%20so%20fun%20times/4_2_204v.gif


Oh, I love this little guy. He looks just like I feel, a lot of the time!

I think his name shall be Willy....after Will OH MAN!

[VanMan]

Wilson Valdez is pinch running for Gonzalez.

Martin takes a ball. Fastball is over the outside corner for strike one called. Ohman makes a move to first to keep Valdez close. Fly ball to center, Jones can't track it down, it's off the vines. Valdez stops at third on the Martin double.

[VanMan]

Kevin Hart is warming up in the Cub pen.

[ryno4ever]

The bullpen had been lights out until they brought up Ohman!!!!!

[Doba]

I can't watch anymore. Something is going to get broken.

[VanMan]

Loney takes a slider low and in. Sinking fastball misses low and in, 2-0, and Lou is coming up to the top of the steps. Loney will be intentionally walked, and Lou is going to go to the rookie right hander with the bases loaded and no one out.

[VanMan]

They should take Ohman and throw him into the Chicago River, Al Capone style.

[ryno4ever]

This is what I was worried about.... after all of the "drama" from yesterday... the boo birds are going to come out in droves now!

[Drockvb]

The Dodgers are owning the Cubs.

[ryno4ever]

Good luck kiddo! Welcome to the big leagues!

[ARamfan]

Kevin Hart is warming up in the Cub pen.

Poor Kevin Hart. This will be a debut he'll never forget! :eek:

[ryno4ever]

I can't watch anymore. Something is going to get broken.

Put the remote UNDER the couch..... surround yourself by pillows... and sit on your hands!

[ryno4ever]

This is gonna get ugly!

[VanMan]

Kevin Hart is making his MLB debut. He'll face Ramon Martinez, who was a defensive replacement earlier.

Fastball, 93, is high and away, ball one. Tailing fastball, 93, misses away, 2-0. Fastball, 91, misses high, 3-0. Another fastball, ball four, and a run scores.

[ARamfan]

I can't watch anymore. Something is going to get broken.

I know what you mean. Just hang tight, Doba. :p

[ryno4ever]

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

[VanMan]

Mark Sweeney will pinch hit for Penny. He swings and misses a 92mph cutter for strike one. Slider swung on and missed, 0-2. Pop foul out of play on a cutter, 92, in on his hands. Slider in the dirt, Kendall blocks it, 1-2. Cutter strikes out Sweeney looking, his first career K after his first career BB.

[ryno4ever]

Show him some love there, Cub fans! First ML strikeout!

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

[ryno4ever]

Brewers just scored a run.....5-3

[ryno4ever]

SOR-I-AN-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

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

[VanMan]

Furcal takes a slider inside, ball one. Sinker, 92, fouled off, 1-1. Slider, 87, fouled off, 1-2. Fly ball to left-center, Soriano is there, he makes the catch, Martin tags from third, Soriano just guns him down, Martin had no chance. However, the Dodgers add a run on two hits, two walks, one was intentional, and two left on base.

Middle 8th, Dodgers 6, Cubs 2

[VanMan]

Lee, Ramirez and Ward are due up in the 8th.

[ARamfan]

Okay, with the power we've got coming up, we OUGHT to be able to score at least 4 runs to tie it up!!

[ryno4ever]

It's getting late.... hopefully that assist right there will swing the momentum in our favor!

[ryno4ever]

Come on Lee! PLEEEEAAASSSEEEE get something going!

[VanMan]

Andre Ethier comes in to play LF, Jonathan Broxton in to pitch.

Lee fouls off a 98mph heater. Fastball, 97, misses high, 1-1. Liner to right, it hangs up for Kemp, who makes the catch, one down.

[VanMan]

Ramirez grounds one up the middle, Kent tries to field it, but can't, an infield single for Ramirez.

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/not%20so%20fun%20times/sad-1.gif

[VanMan]

Ward takes a change-up, 86, inside, ball one. Fastball, 97, misses high, 2-0. Fastball, 96, fouled back and out of play, 2-1. Change-up, 88, swung and miss, 2-2. Grounder to Loney, over to Furcal for one, back to Loney for the double play. The double play has been key to this game for the Dodgers.

End 8th, Dodgers 6, Cubs 2

[VanMan]

Pierre takes a 91 mph cutter inside for a ball. He pops one to left, Soriano is there for the first out.

[VanMan]

Kemp takes a nice curve, 79, for a strike. Cutter, 91, misses inside, 1-1. Kemp floats one into the gap, Jones gets it, Kemp motors around second and makes it into third for a triple.

[Drockvb]

I hope the Cubs are taking notes during this series.

[VanMan]

Kent takes a fastball, 90, for a strike. Fastball, 92, grounded foul, 0-2. Cutter, 94, swung on and missed, strike three, two down.

[ARamfan]

Final
Cards-6
Pirates-2

Top 9th
Brewers-5
Astros-3

[VanMan]

Ethier takes a slider inside, ball one. Sinker, 93, fouled off, 1-1. He swings and misses a change, 1-2, and then fouls off the next pitch. Cutter, 92, is fought off and fouled. Curve ball, 76, never broke toward the plate, 2-2. Slider, 86, fouled off. Back-door slider misses high and away, full count. Back-door slider this time catches the outside corner for a called strike three. No runs, a hit, one left.

Middle 9th, Dodgers 6, Cubs 2

[ARamfan]

Sorry, Heather. I'm sure those scores I just posted are not going to help your headache. :(

[ryno4ever]

game over in Milwuakee..... if we don't have a big inning, our lead is only .5 of a game.

[VanMan]

Well, the division is going to be spandex-tight again.

[ryno4ever]

To think we have to play these guys two more times! http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/not%20so%20fun%20times/why.gif

[VanMan]

Tony Abreu will play 2B, and Takashi Saito comes in on a non-save situation.

[ryno4ever]

We need the offense to step it up and relieve some of the pressure off the pitchers.

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes a fastball, 91, off the plate. Another fastball, 94, is swung and missed, 1-1. Change-up, 88, misses high, 2-1. Fastball, 91, swung and missed, 2-2. Fastball, 94, just misses away, full count. Fastball, 95, high and tight, ball four.

[ARamfan]

Well, the division is going to be spandex-tight again.

It's going to get 'interesting' to say the least!

[VanMan]

Jones lines the first pitch to Saito, he runs it over and gives it to Loney to double off DeRosa. Two gone.

[ARamfan]

YAY, a man on base! ;)

[ARamfan]

YAY, a man on base! ;)

Never mind, another double play. Five tonight.

[ryno4ever]

I don't think there is anything Lou can say in the press conference to make me feel any better tonight.

[ryno4ever]

The Brewers and Cardinals are on an upswing...we're going the opposite way! SOMEONE PLEASE STOP THE BLEEDING!

[VanMan]

Kendall's the Cubs' last chance. A fastball, 95, catches the zone, called strike one. Fastball, 95, misses low and away, 1-1. Fly ball to center, Pierre is there to make the catch.

Final score, Dodgers 6, Cubs 2

W - Brad Penny (15-4)
L - Steve Trachsel (6-9)

[ARamfan]

We need the offense to step it up and relieve some of the pressure off the pitchers.

There has GOT to be some to get us through these next two games. What does Lou do to get them going? :confused:

[VanMan]

Tomorrow, we have Lilly going against another left hander. Hopefully, the Cubs can get the bats out of the freezer and win the next one. We can't afford to lose any more now.

[VanMan]

There has GOT to be some to get us through these next two games. What does Lou do to get them going? :confused:
I don't know if Lou can do anything. Mostly, it was just dumb luck that the Dodgers got a double play when they needed it, albeit five times.

[ryno4ever]

Lou was NOT a happy man in the press conference! Maybe NOW is the time he goes into that clubhouse and raise some HELL! He did say he maybe switching the lineup and putting more speed in there to try to stay out of the double plays.

[VanMan]

Well, when you can't hit home runs on a team built for homers in a park that is conducive to homers at least half of the year, you'd have to try something to start scoring runs. Offense is the team's most glaring weakness.

[ARamfan]

If it takes a 'Mount St. Lou' eruption, then so be it. It's got to turn around NOW! I'm not really so much 'mad' about tonight's game, I've moved to the 'scared' category. With the Brewers and Cards both winning, I'm too afraid to even get angry at this point. The Tums and Prilosec are of no help to me now. :(