9/18 CIN @ CHC, 7:05 p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: WGN

[VanMan]

The Cubs sent the Wrigley faithful in a wild tizzy with a come-from-behind 7-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds last night. Tonight, it's game two of the three-game set, and this time, two of the National League's best pitchers are going to toe the slab. Carlos Zambrano (16-12, 4.14 ERA) looks to continue his promise to win both the World Seires and the Cy Young Award, while Cincinnati sends Aaron Harang (15-4, 3.65 ERA) to the mound.

A victory by the Cubs either tonight or tomorrow afternoon eliminates the Reds from any playoff consideration. They are already eliminated from the Wild Card race.

Here are the starting line-ups for tonight's game:

Cincinnati Reds (68-82, fourth in NL Central, 10 1/2 GB)
1. Norris Hopper, CF (.332, 0 HR, 11 RBI)
2. Jeff Keppinger, SS (.345, 4 HR, 28 RBI)
3. Ken Griffey Jr., RF (.279, 30 HR, 93 RBI)
4. Brandon Phillips, 2B (.293, 29 HR, 90 RBI)
5. Adam Dunn, LF (.267, 39 HR, 105 RBI)
6. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B (.289, 13 HR, 70 RBI)
7. Joey Votto, 1B (.424, 2 HR, 9 RBI)
8. Javier Valentin, C (.272, 2 HR, 31 RBI)
9. Aaron Harang, P (.104, 0 HR, 2 RBI)

Chicago Cubs (79-72, first in NL Central, 1 game ahead of Milwaukee)
1. Alfonso Soriano, LF (.291, 27 HR, 58 RBI)
2. Ryan Theriot, SS (.266, 3 HR, 44 RBI)
3. Derrek Lee, 1B (.312, 18 HR, 74 RBI)
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B (.316, 23 HR, 92 RBI)
5. Matt Murton, RF (.273, 7 HR, 20 RBI)
6. Mark DeRosa, 2B (.292, 10 HR, 71 RBI)
7. Jacque Jones, CF (.274, 5 HR, 57 RBI)
8. Jason Kendall, C (.248, 3 HR, 41 RBI)
9. Carlos Zambrano, P (.260, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

Also, the Brewers continues their series in Houston agains the Astros. Ben Sheets is the starter in that game for the Brew Crew, while Houston counters with Felipe Paulino, who has an 11.25 ERA. Looks like we need to win this one again tonight. However, stranger things have happened at the Juice Box.

[cubbyfanforever]

I was at that game last night ,we all went nuts,it was one of the best games I have ever went to in my life,I thought the upper deck was going to collapse,it just was an amazing come from behind victory!

[VanMan]

I just noticed there is now a Chat option on Gameday.

[VanMan]

Opening is showing the agony, then the ecstasy of last night's game.

[VanMan]

Cubs started the season 2-12 in one-run games, they're 20-10 since, and now 22-22 for the season.

[VanMan]

Everyone have their nitro glicerine and Bayer asprin ready?

[VanMan]

They just showed Big Z's pre-game ritual with Fontenot. First, Font did a "high five" on Z's forearm, then Z made like he was hammering Font into the dugout floor.

[VanMan]

82 degrees, wind is gusting out to left center.

First pitch to Hopper is a strike, and we're underway. Another fastball down the pipe for strike two. Fastball, 91, fouled off. Slider fouled out of play. Fastball, 93, fouled off the bricks, still 0-2. Time called. Another fastball, 92, another foul ball. Sinker, 93, is low, 1-2. Fastball, 94, misses away, 2-2. Bouncer toward short, Ramirez cuts it off, but Hopper is too fast for an infield single.

[VanMan]

Keppinger takes a 91 mph fastball for strike one. Z twirls and throws to Lee to keep Hopper close. Slide step, hits Keppinger in the hip.

[VanMan]

Griffey, facing an exagerated shift, swings and misses an elevated 89 mph fastball, 0-1. Time called. Griffey pops one foul and out of play, 0-2. Slider fouled off. Sinking slider is checked, no swing, ball one. Griffey is .407 vs. Z. Change up is swung and missed, one out.

[VanMan]

Phillips takes a fastball, 92, away, ball one. Liner to center, Hopper will score, the throw is cut by Lee they have Keppinger in the rundown. Toss to Ramirez, he chases him back and throws to Theriot, toss to Lee gets Keppinger, Phillips takes second on the pickle.

[VanMan]

Dunn takes the first two pitches out of the zone, 2-0. Fastball, 91, misses low and in, 3-0. And they'll throw the last one intentionally wide, Dunn's aboard.

[Drockvb]

Here we go again. Geesh. :eek:

[VanMan]

Encarnacion takes a slider away, ball one. Fastball misses low and away, 2-0. Fastball, 91, tails back over the zone for strike one. Liner to right, Phillips will score, throw from Murton misses the cut-off man and goes all the way to Kendall, Dunn to third, no one covering second, Encarnacion goes to second.

[cubbyfanforever]

Man,already down 2-0 ,come on Big Z!

[VanMan]

Votto takes a hard slider low and in. Milwaukee did not score in the top of the first. Meanwhile, fly ball to left, Soriano is there to retire the side. The Reds score two on three hits, an intentional walk and two left on base.

Middle 1st, Reds 2, Cubs coming up

[Drockvb]

Well this sux. WTF Z?

[VanMan]

Gotta think the Cubs might be able to come back, as they've been able to hit around Harang in the past, around a 5.75 ERA.

[cubbyfanforever]

Houston 1 Brew Crew 0 bottom 1st. 1 out ,Berkman rbi single,LEE hit into a double play, 3 outs!

[VanMan]

Soriano leads off for the Cubs. He takes a fastball, 89, away, ball one. He fouls off a similar fastball, 1-1. Grounder to Phillips, over to Votto for the first out.

[VanMan]

Theriot takes a fastball, 89, over the middle for strike one. Fastball, 91, at the knees for strike two. Swing and a miss, ball gets away from Valentin, Theriot tries to get to first, but Valentin is able to throw him out.

[cubbyfanforever]

Houston 1 Brew Crew 0 bottom 2nd.

[VanMan]

Lee takes a fastball, 88, at the knees for strike one. He fouls off another 88 mph fastball, 0-2. Change up in the dirt, ball one. Fastball, 93, misses away, ball two. Lee fouls one off to the right. Change, 79, fouled off. Change in the dirt, Lee checks, no swing, full count. Curve popped in foul territory, Votto is there to make the catch for the 1-2-3 inning.

End 1st, Reds 2, Cubs 0

Meanwhile, Sheets isn't doing so well on short rest, either. The Astros have scored in the 1st, as it's 1-0 after one.

[VanMan]

Valentin takes a pitch low and away, ball one. Pop off the hands behind the screen, 1-1. Backdoor slider misses away, 2-1. Fastball up and in, 3-1. Liner into the gap in left-center, Soriano mishandles the carrom slightly, Valentin cruises into second with a lead-off double.

[cubbyfanforever]

Word is Ben Sheets is out with leg cramps!

[VanMan]

Harang shows bunt, but pulls back and takes a pitch high, ball one. Bunts to Z, he tries to bare hand to throw to third, it slips, but he's able to gather it and throw to DeRosa to retire Harang on the sacrifice, Valentin to third.

[VanMan]

Hopper fouls off the first pitch. Fastball, 90, upstairs, 1-1. Grounder between Lee and DeRosa, base hit, Valentin scores, 3-0 Reds.

[VanMan]

Keppinger fouls off a fastball, 94, 0-1. Sinker misses low, 1-1. Runner goes, slow roller to Theriot, he can't get Hopper at second, but the throw to first to get Keppinger.

[VanMan]

Len just announced the Sheets exit.

[VanMan]

Griffey takes a fastball up and in, ball one. Fastball down the pipe for strike one. Line drive to the left-field corner, Soriano races over, he makes the catch and slams into the padding. The Reds add one more on two hits, one man left.

Middle 2nd, Reds 3, Cubs 0

[cubbyfanforever]

Big Z does not look good tonight,hope he can get it together!

[VanMan]

Ramirez leads off the Cub 2nd. He pops the first pitch foul, wind pushes it back in play for Votto to retire Ramirez.

[VanMan]

Murton takes a fastball high, ball one. Fastball, 92, hits the outside corner, 1-1. Another fastball, 90, again catches the outside corner, 1-2. Another fastball catches Murton looking, and he has some words for the home-plate umpire, Tim Timmons.

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes a pitch out of the zone, then flies one to right, Griffey is there to make the catch. The first time DeRosa's been retired in his last 11 ABs vs. the Reds. Another 1-2-3 inning for Harang.

End 2nd, Reds 3, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

My browser crashed on me, but the Reds have walked the first two hitters, Phillips and Dunn, and the fans are now starting to send some boo birds down to Z. Rothschild out to talk up the Cubs starter.

[VanMan]

Michael Wuertz is warming up now.

[VanMan]

Encarnacion takes a pitch out of the zone. Another fastball misses, 2-0. Pop foul out of play, 2-1, and it made its way to the press box. Foul off Timmons' mask, 2-2. Grounder to Theriot, flip to DeRosa for one, over to Lee for the double play. Phillips to third with two out.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Pitching Z on 3 days rest doesn't look like such a great idea!

[VanMan]

Votto flies the first pitch to center, Jones runs over and has to reach back to make the catch. No runs, no hits, two walks and one left on.

Middle 3rd, Reds 3, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

Pitching Z on 3 days rest doesn't look like such a great idea!
Well, would you have put out an ineffective Trachsel or Marshall instead?

[cubbyfanforever]

Pitching Z on 3 days rest doesn't look like such a great idea!

I agree,Big Z looks flat,not fooling anybody!

[VanMan]

Jones leads off the Cub 3rd. He takes a fastball, 87, low and away, ball one. He fouls a fastball back, 1-1. Fastball, 91, misses low and away, ball two. Off-speed pitch misses inside, 3-1. Foul ball on a fastball, 89, full count. Liner right at Phillips, one out.

[VanMan]

Kendall takes a strike, then fouls off three pitches. Sinker is low and away, 1-2, and Kendall fouls off another pitch. Sheets left the game in Houston with left-hamstring tightness. Grounder to Phillips, he boots it! Kendall reaches on an error.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Well, would you have put out an ineffective Trachsel or Marshall instead?

Well at this point in the season Zambrano has also been pretty ineffective against the Reds so yes I would have rather took my chances with them than wearing Z down on 3 days rest against a team he hasn't fared well against.

[VanMan]

Zambrano will hit for himself. He swings and misses a fastball, 90, strike one. Grounder up the middle, Phillips gets it and flips it behind his back to Keppinger to get Kendall at second. Zambrano reaches on the fielder's choice.

[VanMan]

Soriano grounds to Encarnacion, he's handcuffed, but he picks it up and throws out Zambrano at second. No runs, no hits, an error and one left.

End 3rd, Reds 3, Cubs 0

[Drockvb]

Blah!

This isn't good. No freakin' hits, our ace pitching like doo-doo. Meh!

[VanMan]

Well at this point in the season Zambrano has also been pretty ineffective against the Reds so yes I would have rather took my chances with them than wearing Z down on 3 days rest against a team he hasn't fared well against.
Here's the flip-side to that argument: The rest of the way, Zambrano will be on full rest, as the Cubs have two off days left, and either Marshall or Trachsel will be able to play on the road.

[VanMan]

Zambrano returns to the mound for the fourth, and Valentin leads off the inning. An off-speed sinking slider is over for strike one. Back-up slider misses low and away, 1-1. Fastball flown to center, Jones drifts to the left side and makes the catch.

[VanMan]

AFLAC question:
Prior to DeRosa, who had 10 straight hits against an opponent?

[VanMan]

Harang takes the first two pitches for balls. Another fastball misses away, 3-0. Fastball is over for strike one. Harang fouls one off, full count. Grounder to DeRosa, flip to Lee gets Harang. Two down.

[VanMan]

Hopper takes a fastball that catches the inside corner for strike one called. Slider misses inside, 1-1. Slider is fouled off, 1-2. Hopper tops a chopper to DeRosa, to Lee for the 1-2-3 inning. Is Carlos settling in now? Let's hope so, but the Cubs need to get some runs now.

Middle 4th, Reds 3, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

Theriot takes a fastball outside, ball one. He flies to right-center, Griffey is there to make the catch.

[cubbyfanforever]

Houston 1 Brew Crew 1 top 4th. 1 out, bases loaded!

[VanMan]

Lee flies to right, Griffey makes the catch, two gone.

[VanMan]

AFLAC answer:
Eddie Taubensee, in 1999 vs. the Padres.

[VanMan]

Ramirez takes a strike. He fouls off a fastball, 91, 0-2. Valentin asked for a fastball up, Harang missed the zone, 1-2. Slider away, 2-2. Change up gets through Valentin's legs, it's full. Ramirez rips a single to left. There's the first base hit for the Cubs!

[VanMan]

Murton foul tips a change-up, 0-1. Chopper foul at the plate, 0-2. Change-up in the dirt, ball one. Line drive up the middle, base hit, Ramirez to second on the Murton single.

[cubbyfanforever]

BREW CREW GRAND SLAM!!!!!!!!!!!!OH NO!

[cubbyfanforever]

Brew Crew 5 Houston 1,Houston only plays hard vs. Cubbies,WTF!

[VanMan]

DeRosa fouls the first Harang offering off. Slider misses low and away, 1-1. Fly ball to right, slicing, foul, 1-2. Milwaukee now up 5-1 with a grand slam from Johnny Estrada. Fastball misses up and away, 2-2. Pitch in the dirt, full count, runners will be going on the next pitch. John Cuszak shown in the crowd, and he'll cheer a walk to load the bases.

[VanMan]

Jones, who has two career slams, takes a curve for strike one. Slider misses inside, 1-1. Bouncer to the hole, Phillips can't get it, two runs will score! Cubs cut the Red lead to 3-2.

[VanMan]

You have to wonder if the Cubs and Reds are like joined at the hip on scoring.

[VanMan]

MacKanin out to talk with Harang.

[cubbyfanforever]

You have to wonder if the Cubs and Reds are like joined at the hip on scoring.

If you are right,we score last!

[VanMan]

Kendall, with runners on the corners, takes a fastball on the outside corner for a strike. Fans now getting into the game. Slider misses low and away, Kendall checks, didn't swing, 1-1. Slider/curve swung and missed, 1-2. Sinking fastball misses low and away, 2-2. Zambrano is due next. Kendall swings and misses a pitch in the dirt, Valentin has to throw to Votto to retire the side, but the Cubs scratch on the scoreboard with two runs, three hits, a walk and two left.

End 4th, Reds 3, Cubs 2

[VanMan]

If you are right,we score last!
I mean here's the thing, both teams scuttle for the first three innings, then in the respective fourth innings, both put up a crooked number.

[VanMan]

Keppinger takes a slider for strike one called. A sinker catches the zone for strike two. Tailing fastball, 91, misses inside, 1-2. Fastball fouled off the screen. Slider misses low and away, 2-2. Zambrano up to 80 pitches now. Fastball popped foul and out of play. Grounder to the hole, Lee fields it, Zambrano covers to retire Keppinger.

[VanMan]

Griffey, against the pull shift, takes a fastball away at the knees, called strike one. Fastball, 90, misses outside, ball one. Fly ball to center, Jones chasing, backpedaling, he's at the track, he leaps, hits the wall, he makes the catch!

[VanMan]

Phillips takes a slider in the dirt that gets away from Kendall. Fly ball to center, Jones again makes the catch, another 1-2-3 inning for Z.

Middle 5th, Reds 3, Cubs 2

[VanMan]

Zambrano batting to lead off the bottom of the fifth, he fouls off the first pitch from Harang. He fouls off another fastball, 0-2. He swings and misses at an 83 mph slider low and in.

[Drockvb]

STOMP THEM REDS!!!!!

[VanMan]

Soriano takes a fastball, 89, for strike one. Curve, 75, misses low and away. Fastball, 90, fouled to the screen, 1-2. Slider in the dirt, 2-2. Change-up misses low, full count. Soriano fairly patient in this AB. Fly ball, foul to the right and out of play. Another foul off the screen, Soriano now trying to work a hit out of Harang. Fly ball to center, Hopper went back, then charges to make the catch.

[VanMan]

Theriot lines the first ptich to right field, it falls near Griffey for a single with two out.

[VanMan]

Lee steps in, but Harang throws to Votto to keep Theriot close. Fastball, 88, misses away, ball one. Fastball, 89, misses, Theriot runs, throw is short, Theriot steals second.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Yea RIOT! Its about time he steals one.

[VanMan]

A 2-0 count to Lee. Flare to right, Griffey is there to make the catch and retire the side. No runs, a hit, one left.

[cubbyfanforever]

Brew Crew 7 Houston 1 Top 5th 0 outs! I don't think Cecil Cooper will manage Houston next year!

[VanMan]

Ryan Braun hit a 2-run homer to left to put Milwaukee up, 7-1.

[VanMan]

Cubby, either the leader or the visiting team goes first.

[VanMan]

Dunn takes a ball from Zambrano. He fouls one off, 1-1. Mark O'Neil is coming out to check on Zambrano after a false start. Zambrano is pointing at the mound, maybe because he landed badly earlier. Slider misses low and away, 2-1. Dunn flies one foul to right, 2-2. Grounder to Lee, Zambrano covers to retire Dunn, one out.

[VanMan]

Carlos Marmol is warming up in the Cubs pen.

[cubbyfanforever]

Cubby, either the leader or the visiting team goes first.

Got it,thanks!

[VanMan]

Encarnacion takes a tailing fastball inside. He rips one to left-center halfway up the Bud Light Bleachers for a solo home run, 4-2 Reds.

[VanMan]

Votto singles off of Lee's glove, and that's it for Zambrano.

[VanMan]

Marmol throws a strike to Valentin. Fastball misses low, 1-1. Slider swung and missed, it was well low and inside, 1-2. Marmol picks off Votto!

[VanMan]

Next pitch, Marmol freezes Valentin on a backdoor slider to retire the side. One run on two hits, no one left.

Middle 6th, Reds 4, Cubs 2

[ARamfan]

Hi guys! I've seen most of the game tonight in between driving my son and cooking dinner. What was up with Z? :confused: Well, that's behind us now, judging by Brew Crew's score against Houston, we'd better start tearin' it up!

[VanMan]

Ramirez skies one to left-center, Dunn under it for the out.

[cubbyfanforever]

Hi guys! I've seen most of the game tonight in between driving my son and cooking dinner. What was up with Z? :confused: Well, that's behind us now, judging by Brew Crew's score against Houston, we'd better start tearin' it up!

Hi Mara,I have this feeling we will make a late inning run at the Reds!

[VanMan]

Murton takes a strike on a fastball. He takes one out of the zone, 1-1. Fastball, high, 2-1. Fastball, 90, misses high, 3-1. Murton fouled one off, then swings and misses.

[VanMan]

DeRosa lines a 1-0 pitch through the hole to left for a two-out single.

[VanMan]

Jones fouls off the first pitch. Another foul on a 91 mph fastball. Swing and a miss, strike three. No runs, a hit, one left.

End 6th, Reds 4, Cubs 2

[ARamfan]

Hi Mara,I have this feeling we will make a late inning run at the Reds!

Hey Frank, I'm almost certain that we will. I just don't know if I'm ready for it again so soon! ;)

[VanMan]

Marmol throws a fastball to Harang, misses low and away. Harang swings and misses a 91 mph fastball, 1-1. Sinker misses low, 2-1. Fouled to the screen, 2-2. Off-speed pitch gets away from Marmol, full count. Bouncer to Theriot, over to Lee to get Harang.

[VanMan]

Hopper flies an 0-1 pitch into right, Murton is over to make the catch.

[VanMan]

Keppinger flies a 1-1 pitch to right, Murton makes the catch. 1-2-3 inning for Marmol.

Middle 7th, Reds 4, Cubs 2

[ARamfan]

Happy Birthday to Ryne Sandberg! :cool:

[VanMan]

Kendall takes up and away, ball one. Low and away, ball two. Fastball upstairs, 3-0. Fastball is over for strike one. Fastball low, walked him.

[VanMan]

Pinch hitter for Marmol is Cliff Floyd. He takes a fastball for a strike. Another fastball catches the low-outside corner, strike two, Floyd not sure about that. Bouncer to Phillips, and he starts a 4-6-3 double play.

[VanMan]

Soriano takes a slider low, Harang now up to 100 pitches. Fastball misses low, 2-0. Fouled back and out of play, 2-1. He swings and misses a fastball, 2-2. Line drive to left, falls for a two-out single.

[VanMan]

Slider is over for strike one to Theriot. A fastball is called strike two. Grounder to Keppinger, flip to Phillips to force Soriano and retire the side. No runs, a hit, one left.

End 7th, Reds 4, Cubs 2

[VanMan]

Will Ohman will pitch for the Cubs.

[VanMan]

Griffey fouls off the first pitch from Ohman. He swings and misses a slider in the dirt, 0-2. Fastball misses low and in, 1-2. Griffey fouls one off. Grounder to Lee, he flips to Ohman for the out.

[VanMan]

Phillips grounds the first pitch foul. Grounder through the hole for a base hit.

[VanMan]

Dunn waits as Ohman throws to Lee to check on Phillips. Another throw to first, runner back. Phillips run, pitch is a called strike, throw is late, Phillips with a stolen base.

[VanMan]

Count is 0-1 to Dunn, but Kendall calls time to discuss the signs with Ohman. Ohman whirls and looks Phillips back to second. Slider misses low, 1-1. Another slider, 80, misses low, 2-1. Throw back to second, Phillips back. Fastball, 89, inside, 3-1. Wood is warming up. Fastball, 90, misses low and away, Dunn walks, and Lou is going to bring in Wood.

[ARamfan]

Did you have a good day off, Eric?

[VanMan]

Wood faces Encarnacion, first pitch is up and in, ball one. Line drive to center, Jones takes it off a hop, Phillips had to hold at third. Throw does go through, but Kendall can't field it cleanly, Wood is able to back it up. Bases loaded.

[VanMan]

Did you have a good day off, Eric?
Eh. Did the usual Tuesday thing.

[VanMan]

Votto fouls off the first pitch, then does a half swing, but gets a full strike, 0-2. Foul off the screen. Pop into foul territory behind third, Ramirez is there to make the play, two down.

[VanMan]

Valentin is next, he fouls one off his leg, 0-1. Jorge Cantu on deck to bat for Harang. Slider misses away, 1-1. Slider misses high, 2-1. Fastball low, 3-1. No where to put him. Wood whirls toward second, no play. Fastball, 96, a swing and a miss, full count. Another 96 mph fastball misses low and in forces in a run, 5-2 Reds.

[VanMan]

Cantu takes a slider up, ball one. Fastball, 95, fouled back to the screen, 1-1. Slider, 84, popped foul and out of play, 1-2. Grounder to Theriot, he looks at second, then throws to Lee for the out. But the Reds add one on two hits and two walks, bases remained loaded.

Middle 8th, Reds 5, Cubs 2

[ARamfan]

Okay, let's get some RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNS!

[VanMan]

Lee leads off the 8th for the Cubs. He'll face Jared Burton. Lee takes a fastball, 92, for strike one. Slider, 88, misses low and away, 1-1. Fly ball, foul and out of play, 1-2. Broken bat fly ball to right, Griffey drifts to the bullpen to make the play.

[VanMan]

Ramirez fouls one off the back of Valentin's leg and hand, 0-1. Sinker is swung and missed, 0-2. Fastball misses away, 1-2. High fastball fouled off. Slider is swung and missed, strike three.

[VanMan]

Murton takes a fastball outside, ball one. Fouled back and out of play, 1-1. Grounder foul, bullpen catcher fields it near the Cub pen, 1-2. Fastball high, 2-2. Foul back and out of play. Sinker misses low and away, full count. Murton pops it up to shallow center, Hopper takes charge and brings it in. 1-2-3 inning for the Cubs.

End 8th, Reds 5, Cubs 2

[VanMan]

Michael Wuertz will pitch in the 9th for the Cubs. Hopper leads off, swings and misses a breaker for strike one. Slider is called strike two. Swing and a miss on a slider, strike three.

[VanMan]

Keppinger takes a fastball for strike one. Curve is over for strike two. Slider is swung and missed, another strike out.

[VanMan]

Griffey swings and misses an off-speed pitch, strike one. David Weathers is warming up. Slider misses inside, 1-1. Curve misses high, 2-1. Slider is swung and missed, 2-2. Junior strokes one through the shift for a single.

[ryno4ever]

Hi Mara, Frank and Eric! Just got the little one to bed.... gosh, what a frustrating night. I just had bad vibes about today. I think the media got to Z these last few days asking if he thought he could have a quality start on short rest... I think he got doubts in his own head. I was really hoping to pick up a game tonight, because with the Brewers having 2 more games than we do left to play, we need a cushion!

[ryno4ever]

Hopefully they can get into Weather's head again tonight and come back for a big W.

[VanMan]

Scott Eyre grabs a baseball to warm up as Phillips steps to the plate to face Wuertz. A slider catches the corner for strike one. Slider gets away from Kendall, Griffey takes second on a passed ball. Slider upstairs, 2-1. Foul ball off Kendall, 2-2. Slider in the dirt, full count. Slider is swung and missed, he lets the bat go on the back swing over his head to the left-handed batters box, and the side is retired. No runs, a hit, one left. Wuertz strikes out the side.

Middle 9th, Reds 5, Cubs 2

We've done it before off Weathers, but this is a bigger hill to climb.

[ARamfan]

Hi Mara, Frank and Eric! Just got the little one to bed.... gosh, what a frustrating night. I just had bad vibes about today. I think the media got to Z these last few days asking if he thought he could have a quality start on short rest... I think he got doubts in his own head. I was really hoping to pick up a game tonight, because with the Brewers having 2 more games than we do left to play, we need a cushion!

Hi Heather,

Time for the angel! ;)

[VanMan]

It's DeRosa, Jones and Kendall due up for Chicago.

[ARamfan]

I've been trying to find the angel for the past 15 minutes and couldn't find it. You got here just in time!

[VanMan]

Jason Ellison a defensive replacement in left for Dunn as Weathers comes on for another save attempt.

[cubbyfanforever]

Brew Crew 9 Houston 1,Len and Bob mentioned that Houston pulled their starting rotation vs. the Brew Crew series,will get a call from MLB,even though they are out of the playoff race they have to maintain a competitive game plan.

[cubbyfanforever]

Hi Mara, Frank and Eric! Just got the little one to bed.... gosh, what a frustrating night. I just had bad vibes about today. I think the media got to Z these last few days asking if he thought he could have a quality start on short rest... I think he got doubts in his own head. I was really hoping to pick up a game tonight, because with the Brewers having 2 more games than we do left to play, we need a cushion!

Hi Heather!here we GO!

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes a strike from Weathers. Slider misses away, 1-1. Grounder through the hole to left, lead-off single, he's 7-for-8 in the series so far.

[ryno4ever]

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

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

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

Lead off single as I was posting it,...... Come on Cornelius!

[ryno4ever]

the crowd really needs to help get into Weathers' head!

[ryno4ever]

DAMNIT!

[ryno4ever]

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

[VanMan]

Jones takes a fastball low and away, ball one. Another one misses away, 2-0. Reds bullpen in double-barrel action. Chopper to Phillips, flip to Keppinger for one, relay pulls Votto off the bag. Jones reaches, DeRosa is forced.

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/Happy%20times/aaaassss222.gif LET'S GO CUBBIES!

[ryno4ever]

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

[VanMan]

Kendall takes a fastball on the knees for strike one. The Reds have formally filed the protest from last night. Hit and run is on, Keppinger goes into the hole to field the ground ball and get Kendall at first, Jones advances to second.

[ryno4ever]

We need a two out BIG rally!

[ryno4ever]

What exactly happens in a protest?

[cubbyfanforever]

What exactly happens in a protest?

On this one not much,ump says the Reds have no case!

[Drockvb]

1 behind in the loss column. :mad:

[ryno4ever]

Z really has had a hard time with the Reds this year....isn't this four losses for him against the reds?

[VanMan]

Daryle Ward pinch hits with two out. He takes a pitch outside, ball one. Fastball is over for strike one. A sinker away called strike two. Backdoor tailing fastball catches the inside corner for a strike three called. No such magic tonight. No runs, a hit, one left.

Final score, Reds 5, Cubs 2

Bob Rosenberg had announced the Reds' protest filing has no filing fee.

[cubbyfanforever]

Well Guys,hope we will get ' em tomorrow!good night Mara,good night Heather!

[VanMan]

What exactly happens in a protest?
Technically, MLB representatives looks at the situation and determines whether the action benefited the offending team or otherwise negatively affected the protesting team. If the protest is upheld, the game is replayed from the point of the protest. Otherwise, the result of the game stands.

[ARamfan]

What exactly happens in a protest?

I don't know, but I'm really irked that they filed it AND didn't have to pay the $25,000 fee! :mad:

Eric probably has an answer to your question though.

[ryno4ever]

Night Frank! Let's hope for a big one tomorrrow from Lilly! (and a Big L for the Brewers.)

[ARamfan]

Well Guys,hope we will get em' tomorrow!good night Mara,good night Heather!

Good night Frank. Yeah, we'll get 'em tomorrow! ;)

[cubbyfanforever]

Technically, MLB representatives looks at the situation and determines whether the action benefited the offending team or otherwise negatively affected the protesting team. If the protest is upheld, the game is replayed from the point of the protest. Otherwise, the result of the game stands.

I don't ever remember a protest ever being upheld,I don't think anyway!

[VanMan]

I don't ever remember a protest ever being upheld,I don't think anyway!
Actually, the Royals protested the pine tar incident and got that call overturned, which meant George Brett's homer in that game was reinstated, and the game continued in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium during a scheduled off day for both teams. The Royals ended up winning that game, if memory serves.

[VanMan]

Here's the story on the George Brett Pine Tar Game from Baseball-Almanac.com:

On July 24, 1983 George Brett took center stage in one of baseball's most controversial incidents which has been dubbed the Pine Tar Game. This highly unusual incident involved George Brett of the Kansas City Royals, Billy Martin of the New York Yankees, a home run in Yankee Stadium, a bat with pine tar on the handle, and the umpires' interpretation of the rules.

Rule 1.10(b) reads: the bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from the end, may be covered or treated with any material or substance to improve the grip. Any such material or substance, which extends past the 18-inch limitation, shall cause the bat to be removed from the game. Umpire Tim McClelland ruled that Brett's bat had "heavy pine tar" 19 to 20 inches from the tip of the handle and lighter pine tar for another three or four inches.

The circumstances which led to the ruling occurred after Brett hit a two-out two-run homer during the ninth inning off closer Goose Gossage which gave the Royals a 5-4 lead. After crossing home plate, Brett went into his dugout, sat on the bench, and watched as Yankees' manager Billy Martin approached home plate umpire Tim McClelland. The umpiring crew conferred at home plate and measured Brett's bat up against the front side of home plate. McClelland eventually signaled that Brett was out and the infuriated thirdbaseman rushed from the bench in an attempt to attack both McClelland and Martin.

Brett was quickly ejected and Royals' manager Dick Howser argued the call, but McClelland's ruling stood and the home run was nullified resulting in a 4-3 Yankees win. The Royals protested the game and American League president Lee MacPhail overruled the umpire's decision and said that Brett 's home run stood and that the game was to be resumed.

Three weeks, four days, four hours, and fourteen minutes later the Pine Tar Game was resumed and the Royals won after closer Dan Quisenberry shut the door on the Yankees (part two took 12 minutes total time) to preserve a 5-4 Armstrong victory.