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Bleed Cubbie Blue

Open Thread: Cubs vs. Mariners, Monday 3/3, 2:05 CT

While the media focuses on the first time Kosuke Fukudome and Ichiro Suzuki have played a game on the same major league field (yes, true: in Japan they played in different leagues, and Ichiro left NPB for the USA when Dome was in only his third NPB season, and they did play on the same team in 2006, for Japan in the World Baseball Classic), Cub fans should be focusing on Jon Lieber and Sean Marshall, who will both make their spring debuts this afternoon. Jarrod Washburn will throw for the Mariners.

Bruce Miles tells us that Aramis Ramirez will likely make his own Cactus League debut tomorrow, along with Daryle Ward, who's been out with a balky glute muscle (sore butt, if you want to be less technical).

Today's game is available through the MLB.com Mediacenter, though you won't hear any Cub announcers. Audio is through Seattle area radio station KOMO and video is via MLB.TV.

MLB.com Gameday

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs  |  246 comments

Comments

No news on A-Fon?
Can someone explain to me how a broken finger only puts a guy out for 3-5 days?  I understand its his middle finger, but still...a broken bone is a broken bone, right?

Dan

Not a doctor but
it was a minor fracture and this I believe is the reason he won't be out for a long time.  Though...I am guessing that 3-5 days is generous and for the benefit of the fans and the media.
Cubs go this-a-way

Cedeno, CF
Theriot, SS
Fukudome, RF
Murton, LF
Hoffpauir, 1B
Fox, DH
Figueroa, 2b
Cintron, 3B
K. Hill, C
Lieber, P
Ah...
... the great Cedeno-In-CF experiment begins.
re: Ah...
Yup, this should be interesting. It should also be fun to see (well, hear in my case) Dome and Murton batting back-to-back.
I await the results
with not so bated breath.
what a waste
What does he offer in CF that we aren't better served letting Fuld get some more action?
Right-handedness.
The ability to also play the middle infield.

The fact that he's out of options, so he's probably a lock for a roster spot anyway.

So,
I take it Fuld has looked pretty bad in the OF?
There's that too.
n/t
One play in one game
C'mon....
HA THATS FUNNYT
Because isnt it ONE play in ONE game that has us talking about Sam Fuld to begin with?  TOO MUCH IRONY MUST GO BACK TO WORK
It's not a waste
Cedeno has a lot more potential than Fuld.  Of course, we'll see if he ever reaches it.  However, Cedeno could be a very useful multi-position utility player.  Fuld will never be anything more than a reserve outfielder.  
Thanks Bruce
Still no ARam huh?  What's the story with that, any word on when he is going to be available?
oops, I should read the diary a little closer
Cedeno in center?
Why not Aramis behind the plate?  He's got great, er, legs.  And let's throw Alfonso at secon...wait a minute.

Dan

Wait, we have
A leadoff hitter with some power, some speed who can play second base?
Thanks, Bruce
I always appreciate your insight.
Those you with the Directv sports package...
...today's game can be seen on Fox Sports NW channel 651.
Ramirez
Lou said yesterday he might play tomorrow.
Re: ...might play tomorrow...
As long as he doesn't sit on a cactus.  Someone wrap him in bubble-wrap.
Probably a foolish question...
...but did Lou say anything of note regarding Eric Patterson after yesterday's game? I'm curious if he made an impression on anybody NOT in the Orioles organization.
EPatt's been a big...
...mystery to me.  Two years ago, it seemed the Cubs were REALLY HIGH on him.  If that was true, then you don't go to the bottom of the barrel, or to trade bait, after one late appearance to The Show.  What gives?! - TL
game blackouts
Yes, I know this game isn't on CSNCH today, but I mentioned in saturday's game thread that the game was blacked out in Birmingham, AL.

I found this on the comcast chicago web page:

"Professional games will not be available on Comcast SportsNet.  Due to professional league mandates, customers must also subscribe to MLB Extra Innings to see Chicago Cubs...for broadcasts outside the regional viewing area"

But, of course, that's not an option on Dish Network.  It's awfully nice to have the leagues treat us fans so nicely, don't you think?

The usual idiocy.
n/t
That is bogus of them
I live in central Illinois and have Directv. Right now, I can watch the Braves vs. Mets and the Yanks vs. Houston. No blackouts here. Today's Cubs game is supposed to be on Fox Sports NW, channel 651. Seattle announcers.
still hopeful
on Friday night, the cardinals vs. Mets game was also black.  However, on NESN, I was able to watch Red Sox vs Twins (well, until my son took over the TV to watch Dora...).

So, I'm hoping that even if I can't watch the cubs on CSNCH, maybe I can catch them on some other channels. I guess that remains to be seen, since I won't be home during the game today.

That is a bummer.
I have to go to work at 3:30 CT myself.
You can't see it
because you have Dish Network who doesn't offer MLB EI. Therefore, they have to blackout the baseball games on the sports tier. If you have Directv, they carry the EI package so they don't have to block out the spring games. They will be blacked out on Directv too when the season starts unless you pay for the service. At least thats the way it works about 3 or 4 years ago when I was still on Directv.
blackouts suck
So will all games be blacked out for those who don't subscribe to extra innings?

All this makes me wonder why comcast games would be black, but not WGN...

WGN is a national superstation
so you would get those games. They are not part of the Extra Innings package. The channels that are blacked out are considered regional so any outside of your area would be blacked out. These regional networks make up the Extra Innings package. You may need to take a class in MLB Blackouts 101 to understand this garbage...
I must be
in the regional viewing area because I got the CSN games this weekend. I also have DirecTV so I'll be able to see the game this afternoon. :-)
Do you subscribe to MLB Extra Inninngs?
n/t
anywhere
I can listen/watch the game for free?
If you are a subscriber to the sports package...
you should be able to watch the game, yes.
We're all sick of talking about it, but...
...Jon Heyman at SI.com says the talks between the Orioles and Cubs for Brian Roberts are heating up again.

I know you're all sick of talking about it, but I do have one question in all of this:

Has Derosa at SS been floated as a possibility?

I only ask because he seems to be better at the plate than Theriot, and while I like the idea of him being a supersub, I think our team would be better served having DeRosa more consistently in the lineup....I'm just not sure we're improving too much by taking him out and adding Roberts - I'd like to see BOTH in the lineup.

This has been discussed.
DeRosa doesn't have the range or the arm to be an everyday SS.
Okay...
...sorry for asking questions that may have been answered long ago (I don't have time to re-read everything).

If DeRosa can't do it (and are we sure he can't?) than what about Roberts playing SS? I think I'd sacrifice a little range/defense for more offense (particularly because our Soriano/Pie/Fukudome OF has the possibility of being one of the best OF defenses in baseball, and DLee makes a lot of guys in the infield look a lot better)....

Likewise
Roberts has had arm surgery before.  It's not likely that he has the arm to be a regular SS.  Both he and DeRosa could play in a pinch but I don't expect either could be the regular SS.  

Cedeno is the only other option at SS.  For that reason, I'd prefer to see Murton and not Cedeno go if there is a Roberts deal.  If Theriot's September is the real Theriot, the Cubs need an alternative.  Maybe Cedeno could be it.    

re: Likewise
Ah, OK. This answers my question above.
To be fair...
...the exact same things are often said about Theriot.

And when DeRosa has played SS in the past (full disclosure: by years since 2003 he has logged only 50, 83, 42, and 8 innings there), he's been better than "Gold Glover" Derek Jeter, for whatever that's worth.

re: This has been discussed.
The range thing I can see, but DeRo doesn't have the arm to be a shortstop? Doesn't he often sub at third base? Taking another tack, what about the idea of starting Roberts at shortstop and leaving DeRo at second? (Sweet sufferin' beelzebub, we're discussing the Brian Roberts trade again, aren't we? AGHHHHH!!!!)
Al
The only reason you don't think DeRo has a SS arm is that you've been comparing him to Furcal.  He has plenty of arm for SS.  He doesn't have the greatest range, but with a high-K pitching staff it might not be that important.

Riot has better range, but his arm is so weak that he has to play more shallow and he can't throw out guys even if he gets to balls in the hole.  

What's the difference?

The question will be answered if Lou plays DeRo at SS some in ST.

Why does...
his adjustable rate mortgage matter? Let's judge his potential by his past performance shall we?

Mark DeRosa Career SS Fielding Stats...

G 138
PO 149
A  297
E  12
DP 66
FP .974  
lgFP.970  
RFg  3.23
lgRFg  3.97
Inn 813.7

His range is below league average, and his fielding percentage is pretty much average. He's not completely inept at SS, just not above average. The same thing can be said of our current SS Ryan "fancy cheeks" Theriot.

Be realistic
In the past four years, DeRosa played part of 35 games at SS.  That's it.  He has just turned 33.  In all likelihood, he has slowed down/bulked up from when he was 26 or 27.  He is not a realistic option at SS as a regular.  

I am not a Theriot fan but if DeRosa is the answer, it will not be a good year for the Cubs.  

I'm not lobbying for him
to play SS, I am just stating some basic facts. He's not the worst guy in the world to play the position, but he's not going to play there anyway. Unless there is some emergency or Lou get really drunk while he's filling out the lineup card.
Sorry, but I have to...
So there is a "new" Roberts rumor floating out there now on SI, I won't even bother with a link.

The jist is that the talks are heating up and that Jay Payton may be involved.

My question is this, why do the Cubs want Jay Payton?  Would DeRosa get any at bats this year barring injury?  

I am not opposed to a Roberts trade because of DeRosa, but I do feel that DeRosa is a valuable asset, and to block him at both 2B and the OF seems silly.  

Obviously with ARam's health DeRosa has real value as a backup 3B, but he seems to be a pretty expensive player who will only back up 3B and 2B.

Payton would take the Fuld spot
Payton can play center, DeRosa can't.

If Roberts/Payton was acquired the five bench players would probably be Blanco (or other catcher), Ward, Payton, DeRosa and Cedeno (unless traded).        

Forgot to add
in my prediction that I expect Murton would head to Baltimore if Payton is coming to Chicago.  
I think Cintron
is destined to be the 25th man. Cedeno, and possibly Patterson, will be be gone in the Roberts trade. JMHO
You are right
Cintron could be the 25th man instead of Cedeno.  I don't see Patterson in the mix even if he stays as he doesn't have the versatility as a bench player.  
Blackouts and Direct TV/EI deals...
FYI, audio link is working.
Whoever mentioned...
... that the original MLB.TV mediaplayer is better than the Silverlight player, was right. Far superior.
really?
I'm using the "silverlight" one and It seems Ok to me? What do you find to be the big difference?
Seems more grainy...
... and movement doesn't seem as fluid. Also, I can't get rid of the volume control on the screen, which on the original player is BELOW the screen.
I just re-upped with...
 MLB.tv this morning, and that was the first thing that I noticed. Needs much work.
I think your right Al.
If they could only incorporate the boxscore with the original player.
You can always...
... call up an additional screen with the boxscore on it.
Silverlight
You can pull up the boxscore and linescore by clicking on the appropriate links at below the video.  The graphic that appears to be notes is the boxscore and the bat and ball is the linescore.

Also, there is a link at the top right that will allow you to switch to the old player.  I think the quality issues have more to do with the 400k feed and the fact that these facilities probably lack the better equipment at actual MLB stadiums.

Volume control
Make sure your mouse isn't over the section of the browser where the video is displayed.

Biggest pet peeve for me so far is the lack of a fullscreen option.

There's such an option...
... with the original player.
Plus...
... I just switched to the Silverlight, moved my mouse away from the screen portion, and the volume control slider was still there.

I'll stick with the original player.

Looks Like ESPN 1000...
... will also be broadcasting the game in the Chicagoland area.
It will?
How?
Let Me Clarify...
... they are broadcasting from the game - not the game.  They will be giving updates every half inning or so, interviewing players (like Theriot), etc.
That makes more sense.
n/t
Great
Unfortunately you have to sit through the insufferable ESPN afternoon show.
Dome and Murton both reach base. Nice.
Dome...
... did a nice job beating that DP relay throw.
I cringed when I heard...
...that flyball was going to Cedeno but, evidently, he caught it. Nice quick inning for Lieber.
The things I like best...
... about Jon Lieber: works fast, throws strikes.
Washburn
He's moving pretty fast, too.  I might get to listen to the whole game before the workday is done.
That's exactly my...
...memory of Lieber.  If his health is good and his stamina is up there, I think he'll be good for us. - TL
MLB GAMEDAY SUUUUUUUUUUCKS!!!!!!
Observations
Jon Lieber is going to be a revelation for the Cubs.   I feel very good about him in the #5 slot.  

WHEN ?!?!  is Jim Hendry going to acquire a desperately needed right-handed hitting outfielder who can help out in CF???   Ronny Cedeno out there is ridiculous.  

How much more does Matt Murton need to be "showcased?"   Lets move him for the benefit of figuring out our 25 man roster.   And the benefit of Murton himself.  

Two comments.
  1. Why is Cedeno "ridiculous"? What has he done bad out there so far?
  2. How do you know Hendry ISN'T trying to move Murton? It takes two willing partners to make a deal. Doesn't happen just because you snap your fingers and wish it so. Finally, Murton is obviously getting playing time right now because Soriano is out.
Well..
It's spring training.   This team is gearing up for what is hoped for will be a big season.   Sorry, but I don't see the value in trotting a Matt Murton out there when it is the worst kept secret in baseball he won't be with your organization for too much longer.   Murton is what he is, and him doing well in spring training games isn't enhancing his trade value to the degree the Cubs get something super-duper for him.  Wouldn't you rather see Tyler Colvin or Sam Fuld get some spring training licks out there?  
I simply do not understand why Murton is still here.   Trade him for goodness sake.  

And yes, I don't envision Ronny Cedeno being a suitable 4th outfielder option or Felie Pie's platoon mate in CF.  

If you see things differently, then so be it.  

So what do you suggest?
Again, a trade doesn't happen just because you wish it so. You didn't answer my question: What makes you think Hendry isn't trying to trade him?
You have to remember...
...many times the team you are trying to trade with may ask you to play certain guys so they can take one last look at them.  

I'll bet the O's have put in requests to see a few different guys over the next several days.  I know Murton is not going to show much we haven't already seen, but that is the way the trade game is played.

Come on Al
Don't you know that all the GM's around baseball are just beating down Hendry's door to acquire Matt Murton.  Hendry could have traded him 10 times in the past week but he just isn't doing his job.  The 25 man roster needs to finalized by March 1st.  

As for Cedeno, I don't understand all the grief over the move either.  It's spring training, why not give it a try?  Cedeno is an athletic player.  Maybe super-sub is his calling.  Let's give it a try.      

re: Come on Al
This is my thought on Cedeno exactly. Maybe moving him out of the infield will help ease those mental lapses he's prone to.
re: Observations
Why not give Cedeno a chance to play ridiculously before you label him ridiculous? Just an observation on your observation.
WHEN ?!? are you going to shut up?
What's the rush? I'd much rather that Hendry did what was best for the ballclub, not whatever made the impatient among the fanbase happy. If taking more time makes a better club, what's the issue here?
Desperately?
I don't know why the Cubs should be desperate to get a right-handed hitting outfielder for CF. Why don't we wait and see how Pie pans out through April and May? If June rolls around and Pie is really struggling against leftys, then we can look around.  We are pretty solid right now, definitely NOT desperate.
Wow...
...that sounded like a great catch and throw by Dome!
It was.
Nearly doubled the runner off first after a nice catch off the wall.
Great throw by Dome!!
n/t
Kosuke
is a REAL good ballplayer.   He is very fundamentally strong and, I think, will rapidly become a big fan favorite at Wrigley.  
Agreed.
n/t
As good as Ryan
Theriot?
LOL
Better, I'm thinking.
Koyie Hill, ladies and gentlemen!!!
What did he do?
Threw out a runner..
 stealing second. Very strong throw.
Nice - thanks, Damen
Nice hustle by Ronnie.....
Just saying....
He...
over-slid the bag...again.
Cedeno's pattern
...is that of a fundamentally un-sound player.   He is the anti-Kosuke in this regard.   Hence another reason why I very leery of him being a suitable Plan B at shortstop and/or the RH platoon mate in CF this team needs.  
No sooner do you speak...
 everyone in the ballpark knew he was going to run on that 2-2 pitch. Dumb.
re: No sooner do you speak...
Ronnie doesn't exactly help his own cause, does he?
Cedeno's pattern...
I couldn't agree with you more. I don't think he is a suitable plan B or platoon player this team needs.
Despite the two runs...
... I thought Lieber threw pretty well.
Agreed...
 Breaking ball looked good. He hit his spots. Fastball looked at touch too hittable, but about what I'd expect at this point.
Sweet!
A rather sloppy inning ends rather neatly.
Cedeno
appears to be none too smart. Ugh. He is definitely not the answer. It doesn't matter what the question might be.

And if we're trying to showcase him for the O's or something, double ugh.

Strongly agreed
I have seen enough of Ronny Cedeno since 2005 to know that I no longer want him on this ballclub.   In any capacity.  Apparently all of his talent and energy only stay local to the greater Des Moines area.   Because everytime he gets a big league audition he looks terrible with the bat and solidly non-impressive in the field.  
ABSURD!
What about his excellent work in the Venezuelan Winter League?!
Ronny
Although, I wouldn't necassiraly agree that he has looked "terrible", I will agree that it seems that everytime Ronny gets an audition he struggles and when he is sent down he heats up.

I completley agree that it is time for Ronny and the Cubs to part ways.  

Wow. Sorry for the spelling...
And just like that it's tied!
Nice job, Cubs perennial minor leaguers!
Can someone who has time
do a little batter by batter, play by play?

Volunteers?

Uh...no..
 you know GameDay is free, yes?
Thanks.
My Gameday experience recently has been "less than stellar".
gameday...
is not allowed here at work

Kasey

I'll do a bit
living in the NW I have the game on fox sports.  It won't be every pitch but i'll give a few updates.  So far Marshal has walked the first two batters.  Pitches have all been right around the plate.
Thanks, ak
That's great - when you have time.

Sometimes, or frequently with my connections, Gameday should be called "Yesterday's Game".

End of Inning
Swinging K
GB double play to 3rd.
perennial minor leaguers
Hoffpauir's been around for awhile, but I like his work in recent years.  He's probably my favorite minor leaguer right now.

Fox could become a perennial minor leaguer, but he could also be a good PH/OF/1B bench guy if he plays well at Iowa this year.

Lieber
Call it silly call it goofy but I have a feeling when the book is closed on the 08 Cubs Jon Lieber will be on the good list.
i agree
that seems like a smart low risk signing.  

the opposite of the marquis contract.

Wow...
...another inning-ending GIDP for Marshall!
First pitch single
for Theriot
Dice-K
Foul
Ball low and in
Ball low
Strike looking
Foul
Ball low and away
Ground ball fielders choice
Oops
Fukudome.  
haha
but thanks for the detailed play-by-play!
re: Oops
Awww man, I thought the Cubs had executed the sneakiest trade of the century!
trying to do 4 things at once
and doing all four poorly it seems:)
Murton ground ball
off shortstop's glove to the 2nd baseman and still threw out Murton at first.  Theriot held at 3rd
Hoffpauir
swinging K
Our favorite
ND receiver is now pitching
The Shark resurfaces.
Walked the first batter
Colvin in right field.
Fly out to Fukudome
Ichiro
Ground out to the pitcher...I can't spell his name so I won't even try
It sounded like...
...the Shark had some pretty decent stuff. Nice clean inning.
One hop to 2nd
end of inning.  Shark was hitting 92-93 on his fastball.  Threw a few breaking pitches that looked pretty decent.
Double off the wall for
...Jake Fox
Ground ball to first
Fox caught in rundown between 2nd and 3rd
line drive down the line off 3rd basemans glove
for Cintron.  Last runner advanced to 2nd in rundown of Fox.  Scored on Cintron's hit.
Cubs lead 3-2
Ground ball to short
Cintron out at 3rd
Paging Bobby Dernier...
...Bobby Dernier to the ER immediately, please.
Remind me again...
what we learned in little league about running on a ball hit in front of you?
Cedeno line drive single to right-center
runners at 1st and 3rd.
2 outs.
Ground out to short for...the other Blanco
end of inning
Ground out to first
Samardzija covering first on the play.

Ground out to second.  2 outs

Fly out to Right
end of inning.  Threw 4 or 5 pitches total that inning.
Dang. How 'bout that Shark?
Colvin
Fly out to center
Kroger
Line drive single up the middle
Could these MLB.TV announcers
know less about the Cubs?
I imagine you have the same announcers I do
on fox sports.  On my plays they don't even acknowledge who is up for the cubs.
oops
most plays.  not my plays
They said
Cedeno started at short last year until Theriot took over, and they said Fontenot will be a big part of the club this year. They did an interview Murton and asked him tons of questions about college and Georgia Tech (was that five years ago?) and didn't even ask him about what his role/position/team will be this year.
I guess you have different announcers
Your's are clueless to the cubs and mine just don't acknowledge them at all.
marshall
showing either why he should be in the rotation or why he will be in Baltimore..
The Hoff
Double down the line.  Kroeger scores.  4-2 Cubs.
Pop up to 2nd
2 outs.
Fonty walks
McGhee
Line drive to Right.  2 Score.  6-2
6-2 Cubs!!!
Nice late-inning offensive explosion.
Who is...
the pitcher for Seattle?
I think
some guy named Kahn.
Did Scott Williamson
drive over to the M's camp too?
The Seattle radio guys...
...are actually pretty good -- even when they just interviewed Nick Lachey.
They do put on a good broadcast.
Niehaus was the first announcer the Mariners hired when the team was formed and is still calling the games.
Fly out.
end of inning.
2 fly outs so far.
one in foul territory, one to left.
Eyre is pitching this inning
Thanks again
AK.

You are much quicker than "Gameday" (although, we don't know WHICH day)

Stevie Eyre throwing well.
Swinging K
1-2-3 inning
Infield single
for Cedeno.  High hopper to short.
Somehow this whole gameday thing...
...doesn't make the play by play nearly as exciting as Pat and Ron.

IN PLAY OUT(S)

For a better
user experience, perhaps each teams "homer" calls could be programmed in - Cubs Gameday would have "Outta HERE!" or "ALL-RIGHT"
HAHA
In Play (runs) followed by 4 lines of Ron's random yelling.
re: HAHA
Yeah, everytime a Cubs player makes an error, you'd just hear an audio clip of Ron going, "Oh no!!!" or sighing in exasperation.
LMAO!!!
THAT'S What I'm Talkin' About!!!
Ground out to 2nd
Cedeno advances to 2nd.  That was Blanco by the way.
strike out
for an unidentified cubs batter
Colvin I think
Ground out to short
I think it was Kroeger.  End of inning.
New pitcher for the Cubs
Lets see how long it takes for the announcers to acknowledge who it is.
Single up the middle
for Miguel Cairo.

Still don't know who's pitching.

Radio guys haven't mentioned...
...the Cubs pitcher, either. Or if they did, I missed it.
Lehay is on the mound.
Fly out to Center
No problems for Cedeno.
Oh wait...
...it's Lahey. They just said it.
Hopper to Short
got the out at 2nd.  Just missed the turn at first.
Foul tip K
end of inning.
I didn't realize until now...
and it's doesn't mean anything...but our pitchers and defense are putting up a 3 hitter right now. That's not too shabby for a ST game.
re: I didn't realize until now...
The scoreboard on my audio player says the Mariners have four hits. Nonetheless, your point stands -- we've seen/heard some solid pitching today.
The Hoff
Hard hit single by the 1st baseman
B/C we have Ward
Hoff-POWER will not get a chance, barring injury, with this squad (and I was loving him in ST last year too).

He is one of our few power guys in AAA that has a nice glove at 1B.

Perhaps September, unless he's traded.

He's looked good today
Ward was excellent off the bench last year though (aside from the first 2 months of the year).  Its always tough to say how a guy like Hoff would do in that situation.
Agreed.
Fox
Pop out to second.
I Just Stumble Over This...
http://www.zeropaid.com/news/7694/TVU,+Free+P2P+Cable+TV

Download and install the TVUPlayer.

Go to channel 65318 "Cubs Live".

Voila!  

You get the Cubs game!!

Looks Like There Is a 2-3 Minute Delay...
Fontenot (the guy that played with Theriot at LSU)
Fielders choice to 2nd.
Line out to 3rd for McGehee I think
Howry in to pitch
I guess Lou wants to get him ready to pitch the 9th
Full count to some minor leaguer
Mostly fast balls so far. 89-91 range...home run...no, double.
Ground out to short
nice throw by Blanco.  Runner to 3rd.
RBI single to right
6-3 cubs
single to right
runners on 1st and 2nd.  One out.
C'mon Bobby...
...send me home happy.
anyone hear...
... the new Brian Roberts rumor?

(just kidding)

Jeesh,
come on Bobby.
initram
How does that player work? Im not finding the Cubs game....
1-2 count
Howry throwing some nice breaking balls now.

Ball low 2-2
Foul Ball 2-2
Ball up and in 3-2
Single to right.  Bases loaded...nope, ball bobbled in right.  Runner scores.  6-4 Cubs.

Sigh...
...this is not good.
no it's not :-(
Looper to rightcenter
poor throw home.  Runner scores 6-5 Cubs.
Sounds like Colvin's not doin' too good.
Runners on 1st and 3rd
This must be because...
it's not a "save" situation. After all...Bob-o thinks he can be the closer.
Welcome our 2008 closer...
Carlos Marmol!!
Love the smaller crowds and the comments
"Come on Bob!  Aren't you the closer??"
0-1 foul tip
0-2 Strike swinging...nice fastball
Swinging K. Nice breaking pitch low and away.
0-1 Foul ball on a fastball
0-2 strike on a check swing breaking ball low and away.
1-2 ball in the dirt low and away
2-2 high.  Runner takes 2nd.
Stike 2 swinging
Nice fastball.  Howry really turned it up for the last two batters.
oops, Strike 3. game over.
Whew!
That was too close Bob.
Especially against minor leaguers
Wait until he sees better players.
Howry...
Closing games like Mitch Williams will not endear you to the fans.
It's March 3rd
n/t
And he's facing...
minor leaguers...and the pitchers are usually ahead of the hitters right now...

Take it easy...my humor is a little rough sometimes.

I always dig your humour
some people are wound a little too tight around here. Imagine what they'll be like in September!
September?
Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in september
Ba de ya - golden dreams were shiny days!
4 hits through the first 8...
5 in the last one? I love this game.
I could just see ESPN's bottomline
Daryle Ward (butt) out for today's game.

LOL

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