8/4 HOU @ CHC, 6:05; TV: ESPN/WCIU; Radio: WGN

[VanMan]

After taking two out of three against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Chicago Cubs welcome the Houston Astros to Wrigley Field for the first of a three-game series tonight. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN along with WCIU in the Chicagoland area.

Ryan Dempster (12-4, 2.90) toes the rubber for the Cubs tonight, as the Astros send out Brian Moehler (6-4, 4.23).

Line-ups will be posted soon.

[VanMan]

Hmm. It's 20 minutes before gametime, and Gameday still hasn't posted line-ups.

[VanMan]

I don't think any site has line-ups ready, and we're about 15 minutes from first pitch.

[VanMan]

Line ups are now posted, at 5:52 p.m.:

Houston Astros (53-57, 13 GB)
1. Kazuo Matsui, 2B (.284, 4 HR, 25 RBI)
2. Miguel Tejada, SS (.281, 11 HR, 50 RBI)
3. Lance Berkman, 1B (.337, 22 HR, 76 RBI)
4. Carlos Lee, LF (.303, 25 HR, 89 RBI)
5. Hunter Pence, RF (.276, 14 HR, 54 RBI)
6. Ty Wiggington, 3B (.267, 10 HR, 27 RBI)
7. Darin Erstad, CF (.273, 2 HR, 18 RBI)
8. Humberto Quintero, C (.210, 0 HR, 3 RBI)
9. Brian Moehler, P (0/25, 0 HR, 0 RBI)

[VanMan]

Chicago Cubs (67-45)
1. Alfonso Soriano, LF (.295, 19 HR, 48 RBI)
2. Mike Fontenot, SS (.288, 8 HR, 30 RBI)
3. Daryle Ward, 1B (.242, 2 HR, 9 RBI)
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B (.277, 19 HR, 74 RBI)
5. Jim Edmonds, CF (.241, 13 HR, 42 RBI)
6. Geovany Soto, C (.278, 17 HR, 62 RBI)
7. Kosuke Fukudome, RF (.279, 8 HR, 40 RBI)
8. Ronny Cedeno, SS (.280, 2 HR, 22 RBI)
9. Ryan Dempster, P (.156, 0 HR, 2 RBI)

[VanMan]

I can get the game on ESPN here in Cedar Falls. Orel Hursheiser and Steve Phillips are the color comentators on this game.

[VanMan]

Gametime temperature is 83 degrees, with a slight wind blowing in (1 mph ENE). The wind might be negligible, but it's coming in from right field. It was raining earlier in Chicago today, and the forecast is for more rain tonight.

[VanMan]

Oh, and it's 70s Night at Wrigley, so expect a lot of Afro wigs and polyesther clothing.

[VanMan]

First pitch to Matsui is grounded to Ward, ranging to his right, he flips it early to Dempster, who beats Matsui to the bag. One down.

[VanMan]

First pitch to Tejada misses away, ball one. Fastball over the plate for strike one. Foul ball on a fastball, 1-2. Liner to center, it'll drop in front of Edmonds for a single.

[VanMan]

Berkman swings and misses a slider, strike one. Dempster throws to Ward, Tejada back. Fly ball to center, Edmonds back, on the track, has room to make the catch, Tejada tags and moves to second on the play.

[VanMan]

Carlos Lee takes a breaker down and away, ball one. High fastball fouled off, 1-1. Liner to right, lands in front of Fukudome, Tejada rounds third, he will score, the throw is way wild and bounces over the Cubs dugout into the stands. With the error, Lee goes to third.

[VanMan]

Pence swings at the first pitch, lines to center, Edmonds charges, dives and makes the catch to end the inning. But the Astros score one run on two hits, one error and one man left on base.

Middle 1st, Astros 1, Cubs coming up

[VanMan]

Soriano leads off the Cubs bottom half of the first against Moehler. First pitch is flown to center, Erstad charges in after taking the first step back and makes the catch.

[Cubbies10]

Why is Dempster not flicking his glove before he pitches? noticed in the first he wasn't twisting and turning his glove like he usually does

[VanMan]

Fontenot takes a change for a strike. Fastball misses away, 1-1. Grounder, Matsui slips, the ball gets through for a hit.

[VanMan]

Ward swings and misses the first pitch, a fastball. Change up fouled off, 0-2. Fastball fouled away. Inside fastball ripped foul. Throw to first, keeps Fontenot close. Slider, well off the plate, but fouled off again. Fastball high, swung and missed, two gone, flip to first, Theriot's back in time.

[VanMan]

Ramirez pops the first pitch to Matsui. No runs, a hit, no errors, one left.

End 1st, Astros 1, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

Wiggington leads off the second. Dempster delivers a curve for a called strike. Slider low and away, but Wiggington offered, 0-2. Hard slider misses away, 1-2. Slider in the dirt, swung and missed, Soto will throw out Wiggington.

[VanMan]

Erstad takes a fastball up and in, ball one. Slider called for strike one. Change up/slider gets over for a called strike two. Slider misses inside and low, 2-2. Hard slider inside, swung and missed, two gone.

[VanMan]

Quintero takes a high fastball, ball one. Change up swung and missed, 1-1, and the bat flies into the stands, a paying customer able to catch that one. Everyone's OK. Slider misses away, 2-1. Pop foul and out of play, 2-2. Fastball fouled to the bricks. Quintero flares one to right, Fukudome ranges back to make the catch. Astros go three up, three down.

Middle 2nd, Astros 1, Cubs 0

Due up for the Cubs: Edmonds, Soto, Fukudome

[VanMan]

Edmonds takes a tailing fastball away, ball one. He strokes a liner to right, but right at Pence for the first out.

[VanMan]

Soto takes a slider away, ball one. Moehler calls time to wipe his spikes. Soto grounds to short, Tejada throws him out.

[VanMan]

Fukudome grounds the first pitch, Berkman bobbles, but he's able to recover and flip to Moehler to retire the side. Cubs go 1-2-3.

End 2nd, Astros 1, Cubs 0

Due up for Houston: Moehler, Matsui and Tejada.

[VanMan]

Moehler takes a fastball for a strike, then grounds out to Cedeno. He's 0-for-26 now on the season.

[VanMan]

Matsui showed bunt, takes strike one. He swings and misses a fastball, 0-2. Fastball misses away, ball one. Change up bounces, 2-2. Slider called strike three.

[VanMan]

Tejada takes an offspeed pitch high, ball one. He swings and misses a fastball, 1-1. A roller to Cedeno, he throws out Tejada to retire the side.

Middle 3rd, Astros 1, Cubs 0

Due up for the Cubs: Cedeno, Dempster, Soriano.

[VanMan]

After Steve of the SportsCenter previews takes a shot at Orel Hershieser's make-up choices, Cedeno fouls the first pitch of the bottom of the 3rd off. He fouls off a pitch off the plate, 0-2. Another foul out of play. He takes a ball. Cedeno fouls one off. Pop up to the right, Berkman's near the tarp, out of play. Slider misses low and away, 2-2. Grounder up the middle and into center, base hit.

[VanMan]

Dempster steps in. Will he bunt? He does, and it's perfect. Berkman looks at second, then throws to Matsui covering first, Cedeno now at second with one down for the top of the order.

[VanMan]

Soriano takes a fastball for strike one. Slider away, swung and missed, 0-2. Slider in the dirt a foot outside, ball one. Soriano calls time. Slider, Soriano can't hold up, strike three, two gone.

[VanMan]

Fontenot grounds to Berkman, Moehler covers to retire the side. No runs, a hit, one left.

End 3rd, Astros 1, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

Berkman takes a fastball just inside, ball one. Fastball up and in, ball two. Fastball, strike one called. Foul back and out of play. Change up called strike three.

[VanMan]

Lee takes two pitches out of the zone. Change up is over the knees for strike one. Slider misses away, 3-1. Liner into left-center, big turn around first, but Lee holds for a single.

[VanMan]

Pence can't hold up on a change up, strike one. Liner to right, base hit, Lee advances to second, one out.

[VanMan]

Wiggington slaps the first pitch past Cedeno into left, Lee stops at third, bases loaded.

[VanMan]

Erstad strikes out swinging, two gone.

[VanMan]

Slider to Quintero is a ball. Slider dips low and away, 2-0. Fastball misses badly high, 3-0, no where to put him. Fastball misses, ball four, Lee scores.

[VanMan]

Moehler takes a ball, then a fastball for a strike. Swing and a miss on a slider, 1-2. Change up swing and a miss, but a run scores on a bases-loaded walk. There were three hits, and three left on.

Middle 4th, Astros 2, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

Ward leads off the bottom of the 4th. He rips a fly ball to right, Pence loses his cap, looks up and it's out of play. Change fouled off, 0-2. High fastball fouled away. Check swing, rolled to the hole, Wiggington scoops it and throws out Ward.

[VanMan]

Ramirez takes a strike on a slider. Pop foul and out of play, 0-2. Fastball called strike three. Ramirez doesn't like it.

[VanMan]

Edmonds takes a sinking fastball low, ball one. Change up taken for strike one. Fastball misses low, 2-1. Fastball misses inside, 3-1. Fastball swung and missed, full count. Fly ball to right, Pence is there, he ma... no! He dropped it! Edmonds races into second. Score that a double.

[VanMan]

Soto takes a slider away, ball one. Moehler steps off. Fly ball to right, fading out of play, 1-1. Slider misses well outside, ball two. Fastball taken on the outside corner, strike two. K-Zone said it should've been a ball. Moehler steps off again. Quintero comes out to straighten him out. Fastball misses inside, full count. Cued to the right of the mound, Moehler fields it and takes it himself to the bag to retire the side. No runs, a hit, one left.

End 4th, Astros 2, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

Matsui takes a fastball for a strike. He fouls off a high fastball, 0-2. Slider fouled off the bricks. Foul off Matsui's leg. Another foul ball. Fastball way high, 1-2. High fastball fouled behind the plate, Soto gives chase, but it's out of play. Grounder back to Dempster, he picks it and throws to Ward for the out.

[VanMan]

Tejada tries to bunt his way on, but Dempster barehands it near the third-base line and throws out Tejada.

[VanMan]

Berkman takes a change up at the belt for strike one. Change misses low, ball one. Fastball blown by, 1-2. Fastball misses high, 2-2. Slider fouled back. Slider swung and missed, strike three. Nothing doing for the Astros.

Middle 5th, Astros 2, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

Fukudome takes a fastball for strike one. He bunts, pushes it foul, 0-2. Change misses low and in, 1-2. Sinker called strike three.

[VanMan]

Steve Phillips in the crew's bold predictions, said the Cubs will win the World Series.

[VanMan]

Cedeno takes a pitch for a ball. He fouls a fastball off his foot. Change up taken for strike two. Slider fouled off. Poked to right, Pence is there for the second out.

[VanMan]

Dempster rips a single under Wiggington's glove into left.

[VanMan]

Soriano takes a fastball inside, ball one. Lee not holding Dempster on. Slider fouled off the end of the bat to the advertising sign. Fastball inside fouled off, 1-2. Poked to second, Matsui throws out Soriano to retire the side. No runs, a hit, one left.

End 5th, Astros 2, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

The rain just started to pour. We are now in a rain delay.

[VanMan]

Good news from Cincinnati, the Reds now lead the Brewers, 4-0, in the bottom of the 5th. ESPN has gone to that game, courstesy FSN Ohio.

[VanMan]

This rain delay may last a while. Cook County and a few other surrounding counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rain.

[VanMan]

Looking at the radar on the Weather Channel's website, there's a large glob of red and orange around DeKalb heading toward Chicago. The rain looks like it's heading east-southeast.

[VanMan]

Looking at the radar, the big red blob is just west of Wrigley Field, heading southeast. The edge of the green light rain is still about 150 miles away.

[VanMan]

Update from Cincinnati: Milwaukee lost to the Reds, 6-3, and reports were that FatBoy Fielder and Parra had a little fracas.

[VanMan]

BBTN stated just now while showing the highlights of the first five innings that Wrigley was evacuated for a tornado warning, but they're still hoping to resume the game. With the delay gone for almost two hours now, we will be seeing relief pitchers for both teams. I think it might be a good thing for our hitters, as Moehler has been baffling our hitters tonight.

[cubsfan162512]

some people are saying the game is over like the Astros broadcasters... does anyone know?

[VanMan]

Taking another look at the radar, the back edge of the rain cell is about to Crystal Lake. Probably another 30 minutes to an hour before it ends.

[VanMan]

some people are saying the game is over like the Astros broadcasters... does anyone know?
1650 The Fan is still in rain delay mode, so likely it's still under a delay. Gameday still says "Delay: Rain," not "Final/5 (Rain)." Also, BBTN had reported they were still looking to finish the game.

[ryno4ever]

Take it for what it's worth....there are people on teh Cubs.com mb that are saying that there is activity on the field and they are working on the getting the field ready to take the tarp off.... someone who is a member of the Cubs Club posted a link to an infield webcam.... but you have to be a member to see it.....

BUT, there is someone also reporting on there that the reason that Wrigley was evacuated was because a tornado tore the scoreboard down (which isn't the case)....

so, let's hope we can get this one finished up tonight. ESPN said that if they call it, the game is official and we would lose.

[VanMan]

BBTN said there's going to be a decision on the resumption of the game during the 10p.m. SportsCenter. Looking at the radar, the back edge of the system has reached Palatine.

[VanMan]

SportsCenter starting up. Waiting for an update...

[VanMan]

Tarp is coming off according to Scott Van Pelt!!!!

[ryno4ever]

Game will resume at 10:20pm according to WGN radio!

[VanMan]

Game will resume at 10:20pm according to WGN radio!
I wonder who'll be coming out of the bullpen then. Van Pelt said they might take 20 minutes to resume when he announced the tarp removal at the top of the hour.

[SKIPPER 11]

Sweet. I doubt either starter will be in because of the delay. I just hope Diaz changes his strike zone a little.

[SKIPPER 11]

I wonder who'll be coming out of the bullpen then. Van Pelt said they might take 20 minutes to resume when he announced the tarp removal at the top of the hour.

I would probably say Marshall since its only the 6th, but they do have some heavy RHs coming up so it might be Gaudin.

[VanMan]

Don't forget, Berkman is a switch hitter, with his power side from the left side.

[ryno4ever]

Gaudin just took the mound.... the players just took the field.... and what is left of the crowd is cheering!

[ryno4ever]

Let's go cubbies chant is echoing throughout Wrigley.

[ryno4ever]

Position players are the same..... only replacement is Dempster is out.... Gaudin is in.

[ryno4ever]

Refreshing.... time to get some offense "FLOODING" out here! (BTW, there are now flood warnings throughout downtown chicago!)

[ryno4ever]

I can't remember the stands being so empty! Wow!

[ryno4ever]

HERE WE GO..... Gaudin to Carlos lee who takes a big swing and misses.....

[ryno4ever]

Ball one low and outside....called strike two... fouled one back.... foul one down the thrid base line.....high fastball for ball two... fouled another one off....

COME ON CHAD BLOW A FAST BALL BY HIM

...pop foul back..... and a fan makes a great catch, as his scoreboard pencil is in his mouth....


....swing and a miss.... one down...and the crowd may be little, but it is electric.

[VanMan]

Gaudin will take the mound with a half-full house. He will start facing Carlos Lee to open the top of the 6th. Two hour, 42-minute rain delay ends as Lee swings and misses a knee high fastball. Slider misses away, 1-1. Fastball called strike two. Lee fouls off a fastball, still 1-2. Broadcasters talking about the groundscrew member who slipped under the tarp. Ripped foul past third. Gaudin tring to get a good foothold. Fastball high, 2-2. Fastball fouled off to the right. Slider popped into foul ground, reaches the seats, and a fan makes a great catch. Ninth pitch of the AB... swing and a miss on a slider, one gone.

[VanMan]

Ball one low and outside....called strike two... fouled one back.... foul one down the thrid base line.....high fastball for ball two... fouled another one off....

COME ON CHAD BLOW A FAST BALL BY HIM

...pop foul back..... and a fan makes a great catch, as his scoreboard pencil is in his mouth....


....swing and a miss.... one down...and the crowd may be little, but it is electric.
Hey, Heather, let me do the PbP.

[ryno4ever]

Hunter Pence is at the plate.... hunchback hunter..... and he pops his first pitch to Little Babe Ruth for the second out.

[VanMan]

Pence popped up the first pitch to Fontenot, two gone.

[ryno4ever]

Sorry, I didn't see you on here, Eric... it's all yours.... I'm more the Ronnie type gal

[VanMan]

Wiggington takes a fastball on the outside corner, strike one. Two hours and 45 minutes official rain delay time. Fastball misses low and away. Fastball low and away, 2-1. Slider swung on and missed, 2-2. Crowd standing. Fastball just missed away, full count. Change up, he held up, base on balls.

[ryno4ever]

Come on guys.... NICE

here they go..... the fans are going to get to their feet!

I WOULD LOVE TO BE THERE TONIGHT!!!


darn....

[VanMan]

Sorry, I didn't see you on here, Eric... it's all yours.... I'm more the Ronnie type gal
Yeah, remember, I play Pat, you play Ron.

[VanMan]

Erstad takes a fastball for a strike. Grounder to Cedeno, he takes it himself to second to retire the side, forcing Wiggington. No runs, no hits, a walk and one left.

Middle 6th, Astros 2, Cubs 0

Fontenot, Ward and Ramirez are due up for the Cubs.

[VanMan]

Let's see who Houston sends out.

[ryno4ever]

Byrdayk? A chicago native.

[ryno4ever]

COME ON LITTLE BABE!

[VanMan]

Tim Byrdak will pitch for the Astros, 2-1 in 40 appearances, 25 walks, 25 Ks. Fontenot takes a ball low and away. Fastball at the letters, strike one. Fastball away, 2-1. Byrdak is from Oak Lawn. Fontenot fouls a fastball back, 2-2. Slider misses away, full count. Jeff Geary warming up in the Houston pen. Fastball fouled away. Fontenot hits it high in the air to center field, Erstad is there for the first out.

[ryno4ever]

You can really hear the chanting of the bleacher bums picking on the opponents outfielders.

[ryno4ever]

Come on Darryl.... we need him to get a hit here. Only a .347 OBP.

[ryno4ever]

Come on DW... Big Boy.... we need some offense.....

[ryno4ever]

ESPN is suggesting that they may DFA Eyre and look for a trade for him when Woody comes back...

[VanMan]

Ward swings and misses a fastball, strike one. He fouls the next fastball off the screen, 0-2. Byrdak trying to get good footing on the mound. Slider misses away, Ward holds up, 1-2. Swing and a miss on a slider, two gone.

[ryno4ever]

Big Boy is really taking up roster space. He just isn't coming up with those big clutch hits this year. grrrrrrrrr

[ryno4ever]

Come on Rammy..... just get on base.

[Doba]

Winning this game would be huge. Sucks tomorrow is a day game.

[ryno4ever]

DAMMMMMNNNNNN!!!! Straighten that out!!!!!!

[ryno4ever]

Come on Rammy.....

[VanMan]

Ramirez fouls off the first pitch while they did a SportsCenter Right Now update. High fastball, Ramirez holds up, 1-1. Fastball away, 2-1. Fouled off, 2-2. Pop foul and behind the screen. Drilled high and deep, but it hooks foul. Fastball low, full count. Slider misses well outside, ball four.

[ryno4ever]

Take a Walk, Mr. Ramirez! First base is waiting for you... and Mr. Edmonds, your table is set....

[ryno4ever]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[VanMan]

Edmonds grounds to third on the first pitch, Wiggington goes the short way to force off Ramirez. No runs, no hits, a walk and one left.

End 6th, Astros 2, Cubs 0

[VanMan]

The ESPN guys bring up a very good point: What do the Cubs do when Wood is reactivated? Do they send Samardjiza back to Iowa, or DFA Eyre?

[Cubbie Blue Bleeder]

Bye to either Cotts or Eyre

[ryno4ever]

Lou said that he is possibly going to go with three closers until Woody is ready to move back into that role, so I don't think we will see Jeff go anywhere.

[VanMan]

Quintero leads off the 7th. He pops the first pitch foul and out of play. He swings and misses a change up, 0-2. He fouls off a change. Fastball fouled away. Pop fly on a change, Soto chases it down, but it hits the top of the screen and gets into the fans. High fastball misses, 1-2. Looks like it's starting to rain again. Foul, out of play. Fastball up and away, 2-2. Foul to the screen, and Quintero loses his bat again. Same guy who caught the bat in the second inning catches it again. Quintero calls for time. Umpire Lance Diaz wants things to move. Slider swing and a miss, strike three.

[VanMan]

Pinch hitting is David Newhan. He takes a slider low and in. Grounder to Fontenot, over to Ward for out No. 2.

[Cubbie Blue Bleeder]

What Laverne and Shirley where to busy to sing? We have to settle for freaking Lenny LOL

[VanMan]

Matsui takes a strike, fastball. Swing and a miss on a nasty slider, 0-2. Swing and a miss, strike three. Three up, three down.

Middle 7th, Astros 2, Cubs 0

Time to stretch with Laverne & Shirley's Lenny!

[VanMan]

What Laverne and Shirley where to busy to sing? We have to settle for freaking Lenny LOL
Well, Penny Marshall is a Yankee fan, and I don't know whose Cindy Williams' loyaties lie.

[VanMan]

Bottom 7th, Soto leads off against Geoff Geary. First pitch is smoked through the hole for a single.

[ryno4ever]

FU KA DO ME!!!

[SKIPPER 11]

great start

[ryno4ever]

Come on Fukudome!!!!

[ryno4ever]

Ohhh, Kouske...take it for the team!

[VanMan]

Fukudome next. He takes a fastball for a strike. Neal Cotts up in the Cubs pen. Fastball fouled back, 0-2. Fastball up and away, ball one. Change up fouled away. Fastball high and tight, 2-2. Change up swung on and missed. One out.

[ryno4ever]

Come on Kouske.....

Ohhhhhhh............. ugly ugly striKeout.

[SKIPPER 11]

lets go ronny

[ryno4ever]

Come on 'Lil Ronny.

DeRo is on deck.

[VanMan]

Cedeno takes a fastball for strike one. DeRosa will pinch hit next. Liner to center, Erstad there for the second out.

[SKIPPER 11]

up to dero- lets hope he gets a fastball

[ryno4ever]

grrrrrrr.

Come on boys, you were given a second chance to take this game and get a bigger division lead....DO SOMETHING WITH IT!!!!!! JEEZ When Lou juggles the lineup a bit to get some days off in there, these guys' bats freeze up.

[ryno4ever]

ROBBED! DAMNIT!!!!! CALL THE FREAKING COPS!

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes a breaking ball high. Change up taken for strike one. Fastball high, ball two, 2-1. Fly ball, deep left, Lee is at the wall and makes the catch! Woah! No runs, one hit, one left.

End 7th, Astros 2, Cubs 0

[SKIPPER 11]

another foot and it is in the basket

[VanMan]

Brewers lost tonight, 6-3, to the Reds, marred by a fracus between Manny Parra and FatBoy Fielder, while the Cardinals are idle. The Deadbirds will be in L.A. tomorrow through Thursday.

[SKIPPER 11]

We have to hold them here. Top of both orders up this inning- we all know who we will see in the 9th

[VanMan]

Cotts comes in to pitch, Fontenot goes to short, DeRosa remains in the game to play at second. Tejada takes a fastball for a strike. Soft line drive to first, caught by Ward, one gone.

[VanMan]

Berkman turns around to bat right handed. He swings and misses, strike one. Grounder to Ramirez, over to Ward, two gone.

[VanMan]

Lee steps in and takes a fastball low and away. Crowd ooing and awing from the lighting over Lake Michigan. Meanwhile, Lee takes a fastball for strike one. Slider backdoors for a called strike two. Crowd's up again. Fastball, high, swung and missed. 1-2-3 go the Astros.

Middle 8th, Astros 2, Cubs 0

[SKIPPER 11]

Glad he stayed with Cotts to save time. I just wish he would have used the bench in the sixth against Byrdak. Im worried its getting ready to pour down again

[VanMan]

Soriano, Fontenot and Ward are due up in the bottom of the 8th.

[ryno4ever]

The storms are back at Wrigley.... now lets get some flipping runs.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w263/DSItNeverRains/harry_caraycopy.png... a little help from Above is being requested here.... ;)

[VanMan]

LaTroy Hawkins, a one-time former Cub, comes in for Houston. He's 1-1 in 34 appearances, 18 walks, 25 strike outs.

[ARamfan]

Hi guys! Glad that they resumed this game. BTW, what's the rule or limit on how long a rain delay can be?

[SKIPPER 11]

I imagine Wesley Wrights up in the pen

[VanMan]

Crew chief talking with the grounds crew chief.

[ryno4ever]

Big Butt Berkman is wanting to take the field.... he takes off his necklace....

[ryno4ever]

Come on soriano.... those fans have stuck it out for you.... give them a reason to cheer!

[ryno4ever]

I think this is it, this is their chance.... it may get called after this.

[VanMan]

Soriano steps in to lead off the bottom of the 8th. He swings and misses a dipping slider. Slider misses away, 1-1. Fastball up and in, fouled back. Wally Bell, 3rd base umpire and crew chief, checking the weather. Soriano fouls off to the upper deck on the right side. Fastball or slider high, 2-2. Fastball, high, chased for strike three.

[ryno4ever]

I can hear WooWoo

[VanMan]

Fontenot takes a fastball for strike one. And then a huge clap of thunder just hit the stadium! It disrupted the ESPN signal, Lance Berkman sprinted off, and Wally Bell calls for the tarp.

[ryno4ever]

Berkman took off running with that bolt of lightening.....

[ryno4ever]

What an amazing light show! Holy Cow!!!!

[ryno4ever]

Johnson and Lee were laughing at how fast Berkman bolted (no pun intended) off that field!

[VanMan]

They showed the lightning bolt hitting a tower beyond center field, and then Reed Johnson and Derek Lee laughing at the fact Berkman sprinted off the field in fear.

[VanMan]

ESPN showing Pirates and D'Backs, with Darryn Sutton and Mark Grace.

[VanMan]

Now, since they're in the middle of an inning, if they have to call it now, expect them to suspend the game and resume it tomorrow at 1:20.

[VanMan]

Looks like the cell that's over Wrigley now might be blown over in about 15 minutes to a half hour.

[SKIPPER 11]

I thought since 5 was complete it was an official game. I thought since we didnt tie it , it would be over and just revert back to the seventh. I hope your right.

[VanMan]

Well, the storm cell is almost past. Going to be just a 30-minute delay, thereabouts.

[VanMan]

Darren Sutton did a little tribute to Skip Caray during the bonus coverage of the Pirates-D'Backs game. "If you promise to patronize our sponsors, you may go out and walk the dog," he said in Skip's voice. Gracie then said he can't believe that both Harry and Skip are now gone.

[ryno4ever]

I just got some pictures of that lightening over the scoreboard!

[SKIPPER 11]

I just googled suspended games. From what I read - a game would be suspended if the visiting team takes the lead in the inning that the delay occurs and the home team doesnt have an ample opportunity. I may have misinterpreted it. I remember it happening to us in Pitt. last year. We scored in the top of the inning to take the lead and then the rains came. We resumed it the next day and won both.

[VanMan]

I just got some pictures of that lightening over the scoreboard!
Go ahead and post them, while I prepare the Square D Scoreboard...

[VanMan]

Games currently in progress:
In Phoenix: Arizona 13, Pittsburgh 5, top of the 9th.
In Anaheim: LA Angels of Anaheim of Orange County of Southern California, etc., 5, Baltimore 1, top 8th.
In Seattle: Mariners and Minnesota tied at six in the bottom of the 7th.
At AT&T: San Francisco leads Atlanta, 4-1, in the top of the 8th.

Finals tonight:
Milwaukee loses to Cincinnati, 6-3, where Manny Parra and Prince Fielder get into a pushing match in the dugout.
Cleveland downs Tampa, 5-2, in Tropicana.
Toronto over Oakland, 6-1.
Marlon Byrd hit a walk-off grand slam for the Rangers as Texas downed the Yankees in Arlington, 9-5.
Look out for the Royals, as Kansas City edged Boston at Kauffman, 4-3.
And finally, the Nationals defeated the Rockies in Coors, 9-4.

[VanMan]

Seattle has added three to take a 9-6 lead over the Twins as part of an on-going 8-run seventh inning.

[VanMan]

Now I'm starting to do my Corey Provis impression.

[VanMan]

And now to imitate Tom Skilling, it looks like the cell that is currently over Wrigley Field will leave in about 15 to 20 minutes. The tail end has slid past Evanston, and the heaviest rain is just about to exit Rogers Park. It's sliding to the south-southeast at about 15 miles per hour.

[VanMan]

The Mariners finally end the inning with a 10 spot on the board. Mariners now lead through seven innings, 11-6.

[VanMan]

Orioles have put two runs on in the ninth against the Angels in a 5-1 ball game. With the tying run on deck, Scocia will bring on K-Rod in a save situation.

[VanMan]

K-Rod just blew the save after an error by Texiera, a 2 RBI single, a wild pitch and a 2 RBI double. Orioles and Angles now tied at 5.

Meanwhile, the radar's showing the rain about to pass by Wrigley. We should be seeing the tarp going off within the next 5 to 10 minutes.

[SKIPPER 11]

GAME CALLED

[ryno4ever]

You're welcome, St. Louis and Milwaukee. Mother Nature is on your side tonight.

[VanMan]

However, the game in Wrigley has been called.

Final score, Astros 2, Cubs 0

W - Brian Moehler (7-4)
L - Ryan Dempster (12-5)
S - Geoff Geary (1)

Cubs remain five games up on Milwaukee, but 5 1/2 up on St. Louis. Next game is tomorrow afternoon against the Astros. Game time at 1:20 p.m. Rich Harden (6-2, 2.04 overall, 1-1, 1.21 with CHC) goes to the mound for Chicago against Wandy Rodriguez (6-4, 3.61).

[ryno4ever]

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll160/ryno4everr/storm/Image00001.jpg

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll160/ryno4everr/storm/Image00002.jpg

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll160/ryno4everr/storm/Image00007.jpg

[ryno4ever]

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll160/ryno4everr/storm/Image00016.jpg

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll160/ryno4everr/storm/Image00024.jpg

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll160/ryno4everr/storm/Image00012.jpg