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Bleed Cubbie Blue

Overflow Thread: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Friday 5/2, 7:15 CT

The Cubs have lost five of their last seven. Time to turn that around.

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5 of the last 7??

I didn’t think it was that bad…

what's great is...

that we are still at/near the top of the division and best record in mlb – we’re money

Oh i'm not worried...

Last year though, when we were losing and things were tight later in the year, losing 5 of 7 sounds horrible…

This year though, the losses so far don’t seem to hurt as much.

Yeah, and the LOB started before that . . .

time for a winning streak

How bout a run or two boys.
Ok, our luck changes with the change in game thread.
Back to back homers in Houston

5 – 4 Astros

Sweet! Go 'stros!
yes!

fifth post!

first

reply to the fifth post!

ummm first reply to ahh nevermind...
Your reply was also 5th total reply :P
yes!

third reply!

SS Theriot

works to a full count, but bounces out to Pujols at 1B. 1 out.

but it was a scrappy grounder ;)
Thanks for the play by play

My work computer can’t handle Gameday and I was hoping someone would be doing that tonight!

Glad to help.
i would LOVE

to see rrrrrRONNY in that top spot

I'm not

so sure of onedec’s turn around to ask for that…

1B Lee

grounds to Izterrible, 6-3. 2 out.

gonna need a HR to tie this game up
3 stro HR in a row
Who is Adam Wainwright???? Don't we own his butt????
Back to Back to Back in Houston

6 – 4 Astros

My PxP is brought to you tonight by

Man, it takes a long time to eat when you’re trying to keep up with the game. I only just now finished my three tacos, in the top of the 6th!

Probably a good thing

I can’t imagine stomaching the first inning with a belly full of Mexican food.

It's not like DLee swung at a bad pitch or anything.

He hit it well, just right at someone.

Go Astros!

feek

aram hit on hand

Even worse..

Wrist

3B Ramirez

is HBP on an inside off-speed. Off the hand, Ramirez is hurting.

Down on one knee, trainer out immediately.

According t othe replay, that’s off the front edge of his left wrist. (Front edge defined by if you put your hand out flat, horizontal to the ground and perpendicular to your line of sight.)

I think that's broken.
oh no

please no broken things!

pay back is a bitch wainwright!!!!!
ARam out for awhile
Jump...

to conclusions?

Jump to conclusions?!

How do you know that?
is it now ok to drill izturis?
That really didn't look good to me
he appears to be ok......whewww
A Ram

staying in the game

he'll be fine

he was moving it around out as a precaution

Usually to test for the wrist they test the grip

I didn’t see him grab the trainers hand.. or did I miss it?

Yeah, but it's swelling up fast.

He could barely put his batting glove on his hand. I foresee a Cedeno appearance.

correction

they left him in

Lou pulls a Yost

and leaves him in the game. Kidding. Too soon?

Could use a triple Dome.
RF Fukudome

flies out to Schumaker in LF. One left. Bottom 6.

ChC 1
STL 2

are MLB pitchers

starting to get his number?

4-for-4 yesterday
Will Lieber plunk someone?
That would be dumb...but who knows.
Yeah, I know it wouldn't be smart.

But just to send a message?

What's the message?

“I, Lou Piniella, am an idiot?”

Because one of your best hitters just got nailed up

by a pitcher with impecobile control…that’s why…hell yeah I plunk someone!!!! Even if it wasn’t intentional….this team could use a little spark

Whats Liebers fastball?
No

There is no way that was intentional

Who cares if it wasn't intentional
Who are you, Ned Yost?

Getting drawn into a beanball war helped him lose a game to the Cards last year. Focus on the task at hand.

lol

I love it whenever Yost gets invoked.

Jesus no kidding
called baseball boys

one of your best hitters gets nailed, it’s not uncommon for a Manager to hit an oppossing hitter to send a message…been happening for about a century now…

Um, yeah. . . .

The message that we’re macho. Manly. And not focused on the game.

when you

start managing a baseball team you can do whatever you like.

Wainwright is cruising.

Not a guy you want to spot a lead, especially now that work not really working counts.

I thought lefties hit Wainwright?

Fuku can’t find his stroke tonight.

Right now no one hits Wainwright.
Dang it.....the smoke and mirrors Cardinals continue their witchcraft.....

Wainwright is this good????

he gets good wood on the outs

but he needs to show some more power in games like this…again, love the guy but clutch power is missing since opening day

wainwright is THIS good
can we give izturis a fine how do you do?
UPDATE

Tejada, Berkman, Lee went back-to-back-to-back off Carlos Villanueva of Milwaukee. 6-4 Astros. Yipes.

Stroh's go back-to-back-to-back on the Brewers
Grounder

1 out. Up comes Wainwright.

But we crushed him in the past......oh well....back to more Lieber......

we will get to them I just believe it…....maybe a Soto homerun?

SP Wainwright

pops out to Lee. 2 out.

CUBS BULLPEN

45 Sean Marshall LHP

2B Ryan

Doubles over Lee’s head down the RF line. Soft liner, just fair, Lee lunged for it but missed by a foot. Just good placement. Still 2 down.

I really hate this Cardinals team...
Which Cardinals teams have you liked?

; )

LOL

got me there

IBB comiam.ng up.

And why would you ever like a Cardinals’ team?

DOME

bobbles again? What’s wrong with him???

ryan

is a pesky beast – HE is a true scrappy doo much scrappier than riot

PITCHING CHANGE

IN: 45 Marshall LHP
OUT: 32 Lieber RHP

clap clap clap Lieber
indeed

the anti-hill

Marshal in

Lieber out. But who is going to pitch after Marshal?

Marmol
Isn't Marmol out tonight?

Hasn’t he pitched two or three nights in a row?

Sorry I was working last game

but it was a day game and didnt he only pitch like 7 pitches?

Crazy like a Chad Fox, of course!
Marshall could probably go three innings if it came to that.
For Marshall to pitch 3 innings

the Cubs better score very quickly

Lieber pitched pretty damn good

3 and 2 thirds of 0 runs. Noice.

(Still on the hook for Ryan at 2B.)
(knock on wood)
And thank you, Buzz Killington.
not anymore. :)
NEW PITCHER

45 Sean Marshall LHP
2008: 3.60 ERA, 5 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 SO

Soto is to catching

what the statue of David is to sculpting.

missing parts?

or naked?

I guess that's not the one that's missing parts, is it?

My bad, I’m not up to date on my sculptural art.

Can I say I'm starting to have a mancrush on Soto?
Venus de milo

was probably on your brain.

You are correct, sir.

I applaud you and your Demetri Martin fanhood.

incousciant.
I looked that up

and that word is not in my dictionary.

I may have misspelled it.

`

Scrumptrilescent.
I am left to assume

My dictionary is no match for your vocabulary. I doft my cap.

You on Soto is like :

a 18yr old on prom night when the dress hits the floor….

Awkward crying for 30 minutes after a 5-second seizure?

Thanks for bringing up that experience again for me, jerk.

no problem...

But I didnt think you would have a problem recalling last nights events….

jk jk jk

IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM! JEEZE
I am NEVER...

sending my kids to Penn State….

No wonder they call it Happy Valley….

LF Schumaker

strikes out on a ball in the dirt, Soto 2-3. Inning over. Strand Ryan at 1B, completing Lieber’s outing.

To the 7th.

If and when Hill goes down, whats the wide receiver doing now adays?
learning his craft.
How far along is that process?
alright!

lets get some runs!

2B DeRosa

flies to Ludwick in deep RF, few feet shy of the track. 1 out.

lazy flyball
So Roger Clemens slept with Jon Daly's wife...rumor from my room mate....

way off topic but Rocket you need to get some better taste in your mistresses….must be the roids

this came out

severay days ago man…there was another girl besides her and the country lady also

CLEMENS’s WHORES:

3 and counting

Sheesh, with the way his wife looks

why is he straying??

The HGH does very ... um ... not lady like things ... to her ....
Soto HR I call it
gonna call a K unfortunately
Here comes another K by Pie
f*cker!
with the pitching change

I bet Lou pinch hits. Cedeno?

dumb

soto knows how to shorten up when he has to – try being pos-pos-POSITIVE

I mean Johnson
lol

nice audible – i hope for better but he’s been cold

C Dreamboat

lines a base hit to CF! commence swooning

I predict 8th inning rally

But I’ll take one in the 7th, too

I love that man!

Soto, that is.

Why is Soto batting in front of Pie still?

He is inevitably going to see zero pitches.

Soto 2 for 3.....and the mascara on his eyes doesn't run...WOW
he is inhuman
If I had a billion dollars for every hit Soto has had today,

I’d have two billion dollars.

Could I borrow a billion?

You’d still have a billion.

Only because it's you

anyone else, I’d say no.

He actually

wears guyliner.

Dang it...Pie, a pinch hitter and then Soriano....sound like a rally???
i don't think we'll PH unless pie gets on

marshall just got in

these cardinals announcers are misinformed

“soto came out of nowhere, he never hit well in the minors”

ummm, he won player of the year in the PCL, dude. But yeah, didn’t hit well.

Yeah, but before last season...

...he didn’t. He really did come out of nowhere.

dude, you're taking their side?

with friends like these….. :)

CRAZY TONY PITCHING CHANGE

IN: 34 Randy Flores LHP (I think)
OUT: 50 Wainwright RHP (82 pitches)

They only showed the new pitcher for like 2 seconds, and all I saw was 34. Pretty sure that's Flores unless they switched uniforms around on me.
agreed

the lefty matchup totally not worth it w/how adam is cruising! but i digress and gladly approve of this move

LaRussa make a mistake taking Wainwright out? Hmmmmmm
The 130 pitches Wainwright threw last outing may help us.

Flores to Franklin to Izzy.

Who hits for Marshall?

RH off the bench???

In HOU top 7, 2 on 1 out

6-4.

Square D scoreboard during pitching change . . .

NEW PITCHER

34 Randy Flores
2008: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 6 BB / 6 SO

PINCH-HITTER

IN: 9 Reed Johnson PH®
OUT: 20 Felix Pie CF (L)

Why is "PH"

trademarked?

( R )
I shoulda known that.

Weird though.

Yeah, I can't turn it off.

I always forget.

PH Johnson

grounds to Izterrible, FC at 2nd, Johnson safe at 1st. 2 out.

Duoh.....and guess who comes up.....
ONEDEC!!!!!!!!!

Go for it.

RONNNYYYYYY!!!!
Johnsons stock is dropping
PINCH-HITTER

IN: 5 Ronny Cedeno PH®
OUT: 45 Sean Marshall P (L)

LaRussa is drunk again......
DAMN IT LOU

if he takes out ronny just for the matchup…

dont see that happening
Burn that bullpen!
Cedeno and all 55 pounds of him is now at-bat
I'm just seeing a Bud Light commercial now.

n/t

That Chili is nottt .....sitting well
CRAZY TONY STRIKES AGAIN

IN: 46 Kyle McClellan RHP

Let’s meet Kyle, shall we?
DOB: June 12, 1984
Florrisant, MO
ROOKIE

1.72 ERA, 7 HLD, 15.2 IP, 2 BB / 13 SO, 0.89 WHIP
0-1, 1 SV

Never pitched above AA prior to 2008.

Got his shoe size?
He kicked me as soon as I got my face close enough to look.
Just like a Cardinal
Come on Ronny.....
Bill Schroeder singing Marmol's praises on Brewer TV
uh oh.

Howry’s coming in next inning?

against Ankiel and Pujols

wow.

ump flinched
PH Cedeno

vs the new pitcher McClellan. (Once again Tony showing that proclivity for burning through his bullpen with a recent ratio of one pitcher per hitter!)

Cedeno works to a full count against the rookie RH. Johnson will be running. Cedeno drops a bloop single into CF! Tying run 90 feet away, runners at the corners for …....

ALFONSO SORIANO

now's the time, Sori.
Cedeno working the count

3-2

two on

for you know..

When its going your way

its going your way. Way to go Ronny!

And now . . .. herrrrrrrrre's Sori!
nice job ronny

nice easy swing

Soriano up again with RISP....ugggggghhhhhhh....
ONE TIME SORIANOOOOOOOOO
ONAIROS up to bat
I can hear the people in Wrigleyville booing already
THERE IT IS

can i say “i told theriot so”?

No pressure

Alfonso

THERE IT IS

can i say “i told theriot so”?

We NEEEEEED a run
hes got it this time
Uuf, nasty slider
Slider in the dirt coming
Called it...

and he swung at it

OVER THE CURVE BALL

got the dirt part right

dammit Soriano....
this guy is brutal
LF Soriano

“Cedeno takes a strike” on the 1-0 pitch, according to Pat. Whoops!

“Sorideño” strikes out on a breaking ball. Cubs strand 2.

sigh..................
run, just be a little scrappy
NICE JOB LOSER! A rookie nothing whiffs your sorry ass!!
What a waste of money
I'm trying really F*cking hard

not to hate this Sh*tbird!

Once again, Sori just stands there instead of running to first.

Cripes, at least make the catcher throw the ball.

Money well spent...last two time he swings at dirt clods......I am fully hating on Fonzie now
like he's never seen a fucking curve ball in the fucking dirt!!!!!!

That’s all this clown sees with 2 strikes!!!!!!! IDIOT!!!!!!

EXACTLY

it is getting to be a travesty – i worry that he is entering andruw jones territory. i hope he gets his ass chewed out by lou at the press conference tonight JEBUUUUUS!!!!!!!!!

EVERYBODY KNOWS

to get him out, throw a curve down the middle with two strikes!

DAMN IT MFKR AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

how complicated can the soriano scouting report be?

“Umm, so he can’t hit a breaking ball to save his life. And he’ll swing at anything low or outside.”

RUN IT OUT!

Isn’t that 2 times now he’s stood there like a friggin idiot!

At least we got through his spot in the lineup.
this statement really says it all
Soriano is an absolute waste of money
fvck you soriano!! you suck
Patience is starting to run a little thin... just a little bit though

Again it is sure nice to allow Soriano to get his batting practice in real game situations

where he can screw our chances of winning….oh wait Bob Howry is here to put this game to sleep…...

NEW PITCHER

62 HOWRY COW! RHP

From now on...

He is Alfonso to me.

he'll always be Snoriano to me.
Oh, God. Howry, we need you now.
seriously.....

how much are we paying this guy to swing 3 times an at bat?

rAMirez is out
why cant lou just rip his ass apart?!
DEFENSIVE CHANGE

IN: 17 Mike Fontenot 2B
MOVE: 7 Mark DeRosa 3B
OUT: 16 Aramis Ramirez 3B

What? Seriously?

Burn Cedeno as a pinch hitter, and then use Fontenot as the defensive replacement? What the hell.

I know, cwyers, I know.

I know Ramirez got hit, but, come on, Lou. Keep Cedeno in.

can i ask

WHY

Tough error for D-Lee
Only two people have hits in this game.

Lee, Fukudome, Theriot, DeRosa, Pie, Ramirez… all hitless. Ramirez has the only walk of that group. Why does everyone only get angry at Soriano?

You make a good point.

But all the others didn’t make outs with
RISP.

It's his body language and stubbornness

He basically just gave up when he struck out instead of running.

what was that CW
everyone's mad at *only Soriano because he is the *only one who has been completely worthless

this season…

Ha ha ha

Oh, wait – you’re not kidding, are you?

Saoory

There’s another reason right there!!!!!!!!!!!

no he wasn't
That Error

answers your question

I didn't say anything against Sori

but I find his approach at the plate and on the field pretty bad. At least if he was a bit more self-critical.

CF Ankiel

grounds to Lee, eats him up, hard play, off the glove. They give him an E on it, Pat and Ron disagree. Quick, bad hop. Runner at 1st on the E3.

Howry, wake up and cover first!
Just not the Cubbies night, it seems

\

pretty much
And now all the crap starts to fall....

Ramirez is taken out…his broken wrist is probably hurting….Soriano continues to suck…Howry will now melt down…...so sad…how long will Ramirez be out????

What a pile of crap!

Why didn’t he spend a couple games getting some practice at Iowa?? Because we have shitty management that just enables that worthless fuck!!

1B Pujols

flies out to LF, Soriano drops the ball.

Wow. Everyone safe, runners at 1B and 2B, nobody out.

wow............................

Soriano looks like shit

SWINGS LIKE SHIT

TAKES SHIT ROUTES TO FLY BALLS, HAS NO CONCEPT OF THE STRIKE ZONE.

CWYERS, what don’t you get?!?

Alright, man, take it easy.

Breathe.

How all of you made it through high school without encountering the term "sample size."
As high as you think others'

expectations are of him, yours are diametrically low. With big paychecks come big expectations, right, Mr. Zito?

Amazing.....Soriano is killing us.....
Nice job Sori

You are a giant pile of shit!

soriano go to hell!!!
Pull him....mid inning....in St Louis
I'm speechless.

Good thing I can type.

Soriano grimaced

Watch your McDonalds Milkshakes

Oh sweet Jesus

Catch the fucking ball. Come on

RULING: HIT for Pujols

Should have been caught. Soriano misjudged it, tried to sprint to his left to recover. Tried to stab at it, off his glove. Howry didn’t deserve that.

that was no sprint.
Crack some heads, Lou!

Man, Bob has to be biting his tongue with this “style” of play.

OOps!

I spoke too soon. Go get ‘em Bob!

Only thing to do..

Photobucket

Not sure this is totally appropriate
Play Hangman?
THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS

SOMEBODY TELL HIM TO GO F*CK HIMSELF IF HE DOESN’T WANT TO ADJUST AND FIGURE HIS SHIT OUT GAWD

Soriano should have gone to Iowa for a few games

Brenly hit the nail on the head

I see the *BOAT*

Is still a liability in the OF….and chance of the Cubs playing in the AL EASt?

"But when he gets hot, he can carry a team"

the default response to the rest of the season when Sorry-ano leaves RBI’s on the bases.

it's the default response

because it’s true. We don’t get to the 2007 post-season without him.

this is hard to watch, however.

Does he realize...

he’s supposed to catch balls?

Can't run on a third strike, can't catch a ball...what's next?
Bob on Soriano: "right now he is not ready to play the game of baseball"
looks like it too
Bob telling it how it is...

“He is NOT ready to play baseball right now”

Brenly says that Soriano is not ready to play baseball and should be rehabbing
I actually feel bad for Howry.
3B Glaus

strikes out as Howry tries to recover. 1 out.

Brenly

just said Soriano shouldn’t be playing

Howry looks to be throwing the ball better on the bright side
Shhhh! Don't jinx it.
lol i know

I’ll never learn

Brenly giving it to the Cubs for not having Sori play some minor league

to get his head back in the game.

Why is Brenly so testy today?

Did some brat kick his seatback on the entire flight or what?

he drove down by himself he said

maybe that made him sad or lonely and he is turning it into anger

Stating the truth does not equal being testy
Didn't say he was lying.

He’s just usually not this up-front when things are bad.

After three deep breaths

I know Alfonso will probably hit close to .280 and hit at least 20 HR’s eventually. But right now he looks absolutely clueless, horrible, pathetic, and lost.

That is less than defendable. To try to do so is myopic at best.

$13M for .280 and 20HR
yeah whats that about?

I WANT SOMEBODY ELSE

The last time he hasn't hit at least 25 homers was in 2001.

So I don’t know where the hell 20 homers comes from.

Put down the Snoriano Kool-Aid
Wuertz with the high heat
lol

didn’t know you could pitch twice in a game :-)

Wow, I mean Howry*
This ain't softball, Wuertz can't re-enter!! lol
Sometimes how I want the game to go

and how the game is actually going get intertwined

Wuertz????

He pitched earlier.

I'm through defending Soriano on here

he is just horrible.

F&^K

Does he realize 0-5 is unacceptable from the LEADOFF spot.

Hey, that's going to happen

No one is going to get a hit every day. That’s not the problem

except that Soriano is not going to get a hit on _any_ day
you know that's not true.
Sori's approach is pretty poor

In batting and in fielding. He’s an embarrassment to the team.

Then what is?

It certainly wasn’t the pitching tonight….

I’ll be glad to dump it on the advance scouts…....BUT…this is supposed to be the best offense in the majors.

Adam F&*(ing WHO?
Amen Bob!

Now he’s questioning Lou’s substitutions. This train is off it’s tracks

I need me a Ramirez update....I am sooooooooooo worried about his wrist......

it would totally suck if he is out…......and why in the hell isn’t Cedeno still in…...Lou is losing his mind…....

If that's the case, I stick my head in the oven and turn it on.

Could get ugly, though, since we have an electric oven.

I'd be really surprised if his wrist isn't broken.

That was one of the worst hbp I’ve seen in a while. And I think he was hit in a similar spot about a week ago.

Got to be bruised, even if it isn't broken.

I bet he misses the rest of the series in St. Louis.

I think Sori was trying to hop while he was catching that.

BTW—IIRC it was Sori that didn’t want to go to Iowa for a few games.

I'd have to see the replay, but he was sprinting to his front-left. I doubt it based on that, but could have been.
It's his own damn fault if he's injured

He has no excuse for having any type of injury right now. He was on the fucking DL, he could have taken more time if he wanted to, and actually rehab.

keep the ball down bobby
I really think the lineup should be

Theriot SS
DeRosa 2b
Lee 1b
Ramirez 3b
Fukudome RF
Soto C
Soriano LF
Pie//Johnson CF

It should be like this until Soriano atleast looks good at the plate

Soto goes out to the mound to talk to Howry... fairly long talk actually.
Brenly is nearing Stone/Caray land and may get his ass fired if he keeps truth telling
A phone is ringing in the booth....

Kent Mercker on line 1.

hahaha

If they get out of this inning with no runs scored

They will win . . . fearless prediction

RF Ludwick

flies out to his Japanese counterpart in RF. 2 out. BIG OUT for Howry.

"Sorryano"

That’s what my wife just called Soriano.

She didn’t like that play in LF.

Take him out, Lou
hahahaha

what was that CW

That's it

CUT HIS ASS!

Molina

flies DEEP to LF, Soriano dropped the ball again. It bounces off the warning track and enters the seats for a G-R double. TAKE HIM OUT, NOW.

alfonSO SORIano
unbelievable
Unfucking believable!
what the heck is happening with this alfonso piece of garbage
What is he doing out there?!?!?!?!? This is ridiculous!!!!!!
Please take him out....

Now. In the middle of the inning. Please.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh

i FEEL LIKE cHARLIE bROWN!!!!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

I defy anyone to write that off as “OK”.

Is it just me? I'm back from surgery ....

Crikey … is it just me or has this damn team tanked since Soriano came off the DL? Not only can he not hit in any type of RBI situation, his impatience at the plate almost seems contagious.

It’s like the other eight men on the field and in the batter’s box are playing another game.

BB is right. Soriano has no business playing on a major league team right now.

GET HIM OUT OF THERE!!
He slowed down and misjudged it. I don't think he took his eyes off it until it glanced off his glove.

Molina given a double. Wow.

he looks lost

Bob and len say. And I agree. This inning is totally NOT Howry’s fault. No excuse for not catching that.

Soriano has officially tanked
Seriously -

he may have lost his starting job today, if not for just a litte while

Bob: "There is no excuse on not catching that ball"
Howry's thrown 5 outs so far

and has 2 men on base and an unearned run in to show for it. This is nuts.

the bad news is he didn't get hurt on the hop
New Score

ChC 1
STL 3

Soriano doing his best to keep his cool in LF.

Let the Soriano bashing begin....
What do want? This ain't no rookie
Boy, he's digging himself a hole right now.

Not to mention digging a hole for the Cubs.

How's that for a "sample size"?!?
you're reaching.
reaching for the remote, Yes
Ha ha. LMAO.

How much is he making? 182 million dollars?

Sorry, Sue ...

I didn’t mean to poison the Kool-Aide!

now this is the Cubs i've come to know and love
I cant wait

until Soriano starts heating up and all of you fuckin haters start commenting on how awesome he is

stfu
FUCK YOU TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stfu dewsch bag

he sucks

yeah he totally sucks

just look at his career stats

that's really the best comeback you have?
So

you think that his career performance doesnt matter

I don't think it helps us win ballgames
yea

its only may

Easy guys.

We’re all cheering for the same team here. It’s just that WE’RE ALL BUMMED OUT.

Play nice together now.

Can they at least move him back to second

Hes gotta do less damage there, right????

I'd prefer

he play consistenly, not have two months of amazing play and four months of total garbage

Dude, Seriously

Even if he does heat up and win a few games for us. This potential loss is 99.9% Soriano’s fault.

SHOW ME THE MONEY
Soriano

will be better, what exactly do you expect from him?

What did i say

all you haters can shut the fuck up

Alright, watch your language.
no

problem

Thanks
sorry

i was just irritated by almost everyone here

It happens, just be careful.

and go Cubs.

It gets like that often

it’s hard to not respond to some of the comments you see here. Eh, you get used to it and ignore a little more and more after a while.

i understand

ive been on this site since 2005, but sometimes i still cant handle myself, lol

you sound like a Sox fan
I love Lou...

... but he needs to take control of his freaking team!

Looked like a lapse of concentration to me. He was running non-chalant, kind of threw the glove up, and missed it. Bad.
If he was at home he'd be booed off the field
And all I can do is freaking worry about Ramirez.....god almighty if he has a broken wrist this season is in serious jeopardy
It makes me sick...

Seeing someone like Reed Johnson almost risk his life for an out…. and Soriano just “glides” cooly over to the ball and whiffs it. Horrible.

Put him back on the DL if he can't play the position
Adam F%$'en WHO.....

Is a AA Pitcher….NO EXCUSE…for this performance…..

Are you talking about Wainwright?

He’s been sick since last AS game

So....you admit....

The Cubs are out-front-officed….and out coached and out-scouted,,,,,?

Just sayin

Wainwright is better than a AA pitcher

What?

Other teams can’t have good players?

Izterrible iz still terrible, strikes out called.

Howry gives up a ridiculous run.

ChC 1
STL 3

Now all I need to get suicidal is...

for Izturis to get a hit. But he k’s. That’s the Ceasar we know and love.

What I want to know is...

...do people think that Soriano lost the ability to play baseball during the offesason? What?

There's evidence

that such an event has occurred.

What position can we depend on him to play?
Well...

I think we already know the answer to that.

Remember when he said he was only 80% during ST? I do not think he or a lot of players do a lick of getting ready in the month before ST. I think they come into ST the way I came into preseason HS football….

He does not care.

I've seen a real decline and continued lack of discipline in him for the past two years.

When he was younger he could make up for it—his swing was a little faster and his eyes were a bit better. I watched him here in DC. He was always a spoiled child, but at least he could hit here.

i think it is obvious

that guy is LOST – everyone knows how to pitch to him, his bat is too heavy, he can’t run anymore, he’s out of position, he shows no passion, gets down on himself over every screwup, and the manager or DLee wont sit him down and tell him to GET HIS SHIT TOGETHER

i think the only way he turns it around is if somebody says “man, you are getting PAID to suck balls – go earn your keep by acting like you are blessed to play this damn game!”

Maybe - just maybe -

he was overrarted to begin with. Why is it OK to think he’s having a rough couple of seasons? Maybe he was having exemplary career-type years before he got here, and this is the REAL Alfonso? Is that so hard to believe?

Yeah, the last SIX SEASONS...

...have been just a fluke, and he’s really the next Mario Mendoza at the plate. Are you serious?

I respect cwyers

as a poster. But really, isn’t the effort so far this year acceptable of a starter?
I know the guys trying, but after tonight how can a reasonable person defend Alfonso deserves to bat leadoff?

I do, too - his blog is great, as well.

But carrying this torch for Soriano is ridiculous

Pls auto-translate the above post to English
Yes, I am

Every player’s numbers start to decline at some point. This may be his time, for all we know. You don’t know, and neither do I. Point is, he’s being paid to play a lot better than he is, so he has to get his s**t together and figure out what’s wrong on his own. It’s not Lou’s job or anyone else’s. That’s payroll that could be used on a legit #4 or #5 SP, or a real closer.

I don't think last season . . .

was rough—he still hit 30+ HRs despite the injuries. However, the way I view him is that, “he is, what he is.” He’s a free swinging power hitter with a low OBP, who also happens to be a streaky hitter. One of the streakiest I’ve ever seen. He also has a cannon arm, but can’t catch anything. The threat of the HR is an asset to the lineup, however, he shouldn’t be hitting leadoff. So, what does one do with the remaining 7+ years?

He’s a free swinging power hitter with a low OBP

Not the ideal guy for the 1-hole, huh?

Nope not at all

I’m willing to compromise there, because if they absolutely insist on batting him first, then fukudome needs to bat in front of lee and ramirez. so, bat him 3rd, lee 4th, a-ram 5th. That may eventually need to happen anyway, as OBP>speed.

Good thing...

He really would have messed it up had it hit his glove…and bounced off

haha no kidding, almost a HR!
Howry deserved better.

I think he should do what Z would do—punch Sori in the jaw.

TheRiot has no business hitting the ball in the air..ever
never happen

how can ANYONEdefend a total worthless piece of dogshit like him?

Hey, at least Howry looked good

Pretty much got 5 out in an inning

The Cardinals haven't hit either tonight

It should be 1-1

Brenly really stepping out

Just said (paraphrase)’just need to get out of this inning, have them hit anywhere but to Left’

Soriano

Seriously, next time he’s hurt, the Cubs need to make him go on a rehab assignment. That’s now 3 balls the last two days he should have caught. Brenly’s right, he looks lost out there. I’m not even going to talk about him at the plate. This is embarrassing.

In Houston -- HR #5 makes it 7-4 in the 8th
Strange

But I don’t think that he touched either ball. I have never seen this at the professional level—amazing.

We would be losing theis game to anyone right now
Soriano

is the worst lf in cub history

Um

Derrick May and Candy Maldonado would like to talk to you

CAndy Maldonado - that's awesome
I see you've

taken classes at the school of BlueMike.

oh, please.
What he really meant to say:
I get easily pumped up by what’s occurring in the moment that I can’t collectively think of the broader scheme of things, to the point that I make asinine comments regarding players that will help the Cubs this season, and hopefully, playoffs
NEW PITCHER

IN: 31 Ryan Franklin RHP
2008: 1-1, 1.93 ERA, 14 IP, 11 H, 4 BB / 6 SO

SS Theriot

flies out to RF. 1 out.

Soriano…...................x%x%%#$!

Z needs to kick Soriano's ass like he did to Barret last year.
New pitcher, Swing at the 1st pitch!
I don't even care about the game...just about ARam.......I am sick to my stomach if

he is hurt….....we cannot win without his power…......please someone get an update…..

Come on, a night like this; that thing is fractured. It
DBacks are on...catch you guys later
Someone has to put it into a picture:

Man, at this point Soriano is just an embarrasment,

let alone his negative effect on the team.

Options in LF?

Who do we have that can play LF at the major league level? I am not trying to start anything, I am honestly curious. Do we have any options other than Sori and Reed Johnson? I can’t remember if Murton is still up here or not…

Murton was sent down when Soriano was activated from the DL.
DeRo did pretty well with fonzie on the DL
DeRo did pretty well with fonzie on the DL
Thanks!

I missed the Murton transaction. No Daryl in LF, one would hope. :)

sorry

is so bad at baseball…........he’ll never heat up
embarrassing…

That post was embarassing

He’ll get better from this, it’s just that he’s sucking it up right now.

Yeah, but

The Cubs, the ML team, shouldn’t be paying the price. Sucking at the plate is one thing, but sucking like he has in LF is inexcusable.

Now Brenly's blaming the lights

Hendry must’ve called up there

I dont doubt someone called
You go Bob Brenly.

Giving it to them for not sending Fonz for rehab in the minors.

not to mention

the little league like strikeouts we get to see time after time after time

Oh Puleeezzzz

Len and Bob saying Sori hasn’t practiced under the lights…..

this guy was great for us

LAST YEAR – what the hell is going on jebus gawd

1B Lee

fouling off pitch after pitch. Finally singles to CF! Great AB by Lee. 1 out.

ROCK BOTTOM

What is ‘ROCK BOTTOM’ for Soriano.

I hope he hits it because until he does, he will not improve.

The only indication of rock bottom is hindsight.
Rock Bottom?

That looks like a dirty butt
ROFLCOPTER
Roflcopter? Really?

Come on, dude

Great AB by Lee
Lou....

Why is Font-en NOT is A-ram’s slot?

Cuz - A Ram-A-NOT feeling so HOT
Broken wrist hurts
75-87

If that’s the case.

SNEAKY POWER!!!!
Brenly

Is really giving Sori the business right now. He’s trying to be nice about it, but he’s sorta saying “you moron, take your lumps in rehab so you don’t suck here.” Now I’m not saying Sori is the awful player some here are (Brant Brown, anyone?) but he is absolutely ice-cold right now. Since you cant DFA him now that he’s with the club, you’re going to have to play him out of this slump, unfortunately. Let’s hope it doesn’t lose us this game, or more to come.

Put on your Rally Caps, guys!
2B Fontenot (since Ramirez was taken out)

singles on a line drive to CF! Runners at 1st and 2nd for Fukudome.

two on for dome
Who called 8th inning rally?

Hope I’m right . . . .

this is dome's time

pleeeeze

Fontenot can make contact
RF Fukudome

slowly grounds to Pujols at 1st, who steps on the bag. Runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs now.

derosa up with two men in scoring position
Dribbler to 1st. Fuku has done nothing 2nite
damn well advanced the guys

he needs to be a little more compact i think – looks different today

Now it's DeRo's time.

Single ties the game!

That Cub staff...

Even has Koske pressing…

This is the game right here
Maybe...

Maybe not.

if Ram has broken wrist (god forbid)

this year is done

Thats alittle extreme

But we are def a sad sad baseball club tonight.

pretty sure it wouldn't be
Hmm.

I

whoops

thjink they will play the rest of the schedule

Rough night for Dome.

Dero needs a gapper.

Crazy night.....we now need a new starting pitcher....someone else in LF....and most likely a new 3B for most of the year
you know

we know NOTHING about Ramirez right now. Quit expecting the worst.

I can't rely on DeRo to get a big hit.
DeRo is going for the downs
Nice patient AB . . .

I like the idea of Soto up with bases juiced. Let’s go De-Ro, get one any way you can

Now, Let's go Ge-o
pls don't swing at a bad one here
DeRo

Good eye…Walks..

2B-3B DeRosa

works Franklin to a 3-1 count. WALKS! Bases loaded for Soto.

Bags full!
Geo..with bases loaded
bases loaded for Soto
are those boos????

thought Cardinal fans don’t boo?????

thought you were watching the D-backs
Hope springs eternal
It's Geo Time . . .

And here comes the Dave Duncan Stall to bring in the reliever riight after. Classic LaRussa

very patient

that was text-book, he just stayed within himself and didnt swing at shit HOW HARD IS THAT?!

13 Straight games that we have had the based loaded in....WOW
It's starting to look like 'CHOKE CITY" (or last year) out there....in't it?
DELAY

Coaching visit to mound. (D. Duncan)

What a waste
Soto

please make me happy

Soto once made love inside a tractor traylor

and his love juice was caught in the engine. We now know this traylor as Optimus Prime.

We havent got a miracle hit yet this year

God pls this would be a great time.

No grand slams when we already have a big lead dont count.
um

i’m pretty sure pie’s hr, cedeno’s bases loaded single and his GS, fukudome’s HR to tie it….at least the dome one counts

Dome's sweet homer

when we lost the game, dunno if that counts.

yeah but we still lost
C Soto

hits a ground ball to 3B, backhanded by Glaus, BARELY beats the runner at 3rd.

Inning over.

fucking shit................................................
Well, almost Geo . ..

Right approach, wrong result

Soto first pitch swinging
yeah, but he hit a rocket
you're kidding right????

so hard to tell

like you when you were leaving?

it was hit well

commercial break

it was not hit well….if it was hit well it would’ve been a double down the line

You're ridiculous.
it was not hit well

it was a 3 hopper down the line…if that’s what you call a “rocket” then you clearly know less about teh game than I thought

Not able to watch the game due to work.

But you have to admit that you can hit a ball well and still make an out, right?

Maybe I saw it the way I wanted to

But it was a pitch to hit. Not going to rewind the game

talking to you is like clapping with one hand

You’re not even watching the game but call me ridiculous for saying that wasn’t a hard hit ball?????

No, I'm calling you ridiculous for saying that...

...a ball isn’t well hit unless it’s a double down the line.

No, he called you ridiculous for asserting that an out can't be hard hit

and I concur

when did I ever say that an out can't be hard hit?????

why don’t you tWo read before you jump to conclusions….I said that that particlular ball WHICH WAS HIT DOWN THE LINE WITH Glaus playing OFF the line, would’ve been a double if it were hit hard….but instead on THAT PARTICULOAR PLAY, IT WAS 3 HOPPER AND NOT HIT HARD and an easy force out.

WTF were you watching?

Looked pretty MEEK to me

I don't think they are watching the game

I know CS isn’t…he just looks at past players numbers and repeats them verbatum

Grd out to 3rd on the 1st pitch
does nyone else hate the new SB Nation formet?

Slow as hell, right?

no, not for me...
when I scroll up & down, it's delayed
Seriously, I'm having the same problem.

It’s slow.

it's dark in here, OK? Lay off the typos!

I’m not perfect

Kind of like the Cubs tonight?
not for me..since a lot of client side processing is involved..you would do well with a faster computer
Dude my shit's fast as hell

This is the only site I have trouble with

Why are we swinging at the first pitch all the time?????
It was going to be a strike

What do you want him to do, look at it before it’s an 0-1 count?

Because we're a dumb team

The guy in front of you walks, you go up and swing at the 1st pitch. It’s dumb baseball unless you’re Pujols

i thought

that was a good pitch to hit, hit it hard but turned his wrists over and that cost us

It was a good pitch but he's a rookie and I

just think it’d be wise to put some pressure on the pitcher.

You have to put the ball in play to get a hit.

Especially in the late innings, where you’re not going to take enough pitches to tax one of Tony LaRussa’s relievers, if you see your pitch to hit, hit it.

So all rookies should take a strike with the bases loaded?

Hello, automatic 0-1 count

He just walked a guy, get it?
Damn....May doesn't look like a nice month....can we go back to April???
and can we send Sori back to the DL..plzzzz
well, at least we get to see soriano K one more time
I don't mind the agressiveness on that AB

Only because of Geo’s recent streak, and the fact that you know Duncan told him to throw an over ball to get ahead in the count. It was a fat pitch, Geo just missed pulling that one for a double

Boy, that was fun.

Shows you the state of the Cards though. I don’t think we can play worse than this, and the game is still close. Plus, they had Wainwright on the mound.

We’re not going anywhere. Hopefully, Rami will be back soon, and Soriano will go back on the DL. Everything has to go right for the Cardinals to stay competitive. And they know it.

In 3 nights in August...

Bissinger wrote that if a Cardinal gets hit by a pitch, TLR demands an opponent gets hit too, regardless of whether the first hit was intentional or not.
Any reason we should think the ARam hit was an accident?
If ARam missing any more playing time, what happens tomorrow?

Yeah, this isn't the California Penal League

Now throw strikes, Vaughn

LOL
we shoulda got a real chicken
It wasn't quite

that black and white. Larussa admitted there was such a thing as an accidental plunk not worthy of retaliation.

Nothing.

Lou isn’t that type of manager. . . if it’s an unfortunate HBP but unintentional, so be it. If Lou thinks it’s on purpose, I think he would order one for the next game. As it stands, though, nothing will happen. No reason to get your next pitcher thrown out just because of revenge

If that's what that drunk driver's feelings are....

Aim for the head Wood…....and hopefully Poo Hole’s

in my world....Albert gets one in the ribs
PINCH-HITTER

IN: 16 Chris Duncan PH (L)
OUT: 31 Ryan Franklin RHP

Duncan

.288 AVG / 2 HR / 6 RBI / .415 OBP

As PH: 0-for-5

PH Duncan

pops out in foul ground to Derrek Lee. 1 out.

All I know is if ARam is hurt it is a crushing blow
Whatever doesn't kill us

makes us stronger.

thanks, Kanye

; )

In that case, let me remain weak!
Dude...if ARam has a serious wrist injury he is basically gone for most of the year....

we need his bat…...we cannot replace it…....

Until we

know something for sure PLEASE SHUT UP!!!

God, after our great start...

That would be a major downer.

ARam is not hurt. He is taken out as a precautionary measure
Well, he was taken out because his wrist swelled up to the point

where he couldn’t really play. You could see that he wasn’t going to be able to stay in the game when he was standing at first base.

Gives Lou a way out of the Soriano at leadoff problem.
but you DON'T know

so until you DO know, drop it!

brewers lost to the astros, 7-4
2B Ryan

grounds to 3rd, 5-3. 2 out.

Good night, y'all
Soriano
WTF?

Has this blog resorted to just saying his name? COME ON!

and out of his arse....
On the bright side, Howry has looked good tonight.
ha

what if we get up to soriano and he hits a go ahead home run?

based on current luck...

he will pass the guy in front of him on the base paths

I would truly love to have that problem

As I’m sure most of you would like to suffer through that experience.

I'll take the

tying homerun he just hit.

I hadn't known this, but...

... apparently the 2008 Cubs are commemorating (and imitating) the 1985 Cubs.

LF Schumaker

pops out to 2B Fontenot in shallow CF. 1-2-3 in the 8th by Howry. To the 9th.

Soriano

I have said it many times on this board, If he was not playing baseball , he would be selling peeled oranges on the streets of his hometown

He is the worst I have ever seen

So you think Soriano is bad?

Well I have to say, this is the first I’ve heard of this theory.

YAY RACISM!
far from a racist

just the honest truth , he is horrible no passion

Yeah but there are different ways to state that

This thread is full of ‘em. My posts alone.

Yeah I'll agree with you at least once tonight

not cool, parrot.

Poverty is really, realy low on the List of Funny Things

New to the Cubs?
lol

he would suck at selling orange peels to

thnak for your support
cute, you two.
whoa

this is just mean – the guy is a good guy, i think he is confused right now – but that doesn’t mean you have sound like a biggot!

vamonos latinos, a la revolucion para quitar todo los pendejos come el pajarito “parrotinct”!!!

SWEET MOTHER OF JOSEPH'S FIRST BORN SON,

HE IS THE FIRST 40/40/40 GUY IN THE HISTORY OF THE MAJOR LEAGUES, HE’S BEEN AN ALL-STAR THE LAST 6 YEARS AND A SILVER SLUGGER 4 OUT OF THE LAST 6. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS GUY BESIDES WHAT HAPPENS TODAY AND THE FIRST 4TH OF ONE SEASON!

he WAS

40/40
now…......he just plain sucks

Sigh

Why do I even care about indifference of knowledge of the sport from the plebians on this board? I have to stop responding to idiocy.

you're a dick.

YOU play then. See how you do.

40/40/40

before he got the big $$$,

Give me a break

Although he’s in a serious slump, the man is a 5-tool player despite his advancing age.

You’re just looking for a chance to affirm your position, and his recent play is giving you a reason.

I will say if he gets more curveballs in the dirt, he’ll Jacques Jones this one

exactly

what are the 5 tools u r referring too?

Aramis

Just got to a computer. Why’s Ramirez out of the game?

Nice inning from Howry.

Broken wrist...from a HBP
You don't know that at this point.
don't actually know whats wrong with his wrist yet
Are you done passing off your opinion as fact yet?
Just going with what usually happens to the Cubs
The Cubs usually don't win 17 games in April.

But they didn’t seem to get the memo about that, did they?

for ghods sake

Even bluemike doesn’t get Sue to SWEAR at him. SHUT UP about it!

Do you know that for a fact?
He was HBP on the left wrist.

Stayed in for a few innings, then Lou switched him out and put Fontenot at 2B, DeRosa moved to 3rd. We haven’t heard any updates on his condition since the HBP.

nice job

bobby! i am happy for him at least, sux that fonz had to mess this up

Hit HARD by a pitch in the wrist.
the other bright side

is the laughter watching the bum in lf whiff again !

Yeah, he has become a complete joke.

Maybe he’ll hit a game winning homerun and pose.

rally rally

hit it in the alley
rock the pitcher
how we gonna do it
hit the ball
how hard
over the wall
how high
10 feet tall
how high
20 feet tall
how high
30 feet tall
how high
that’s all

If soriano k's

Brenly might just go completely santo on him.

Nice Sell Reed

He offered at that for sure

yay reed

doing what he does best

CF Johnson

hit by pitch on right hand. Johnson shaking his hand violently. Out comes LaRussa to bitch at the ump.

Better tie it so we can hit THREE Cards

That’d show ‘em

Someone please speak up fast....

What makes you think thiss team can get any further than last yeasr’s?

HBP, RJ steps into one
That's why

Russ Johnson is good… Heady HBP

Tomorrow, we've got to throw at someone.

I know it was probably unintentional, but I am tired of seeing our guys get hit.

Yeah, let's give them free runners
haha

get your ass back in the dugout and put your sunglasses back on

Johnson goes for 2nd

Cardinals are indifferent, runner at 2nd with 0 out.

Sori will be up to tie it . . .

Can we PLEASE get some POSITIVE ENERGY for this guy for a second? maybe it will break him out and everyone will sing praises to him

can they PH Soriano?

"Painful way to start the inning but a good way nonetheless" --Brenly

Good going, Reed. Nice steal, also.

gotta love LaRussa bitching about it being a strike. He never stops bitching.
boo

that was not a strike! boo!!

PINCH-HITTER

IN: 33 Daryle Ward PH (L)

Kills off the DP
Stupid Indifference

A gift to get us out of the DP with Ward hitting. . . this may cost them at least 1

Ward

fouls a ball off and falls to one knee while doing so

daryle, you're doing it wrong
lol Ward tried to hit that to Bejiing

Cub pitchers threw at Milwaukee hitters in the opening series and that was OK. And now we are going to be hypocrites and scream bloody murder that LaRussa and Duncan have their pitchers pitch inside? Please.

Ward ran. Thank you
PH Ward

strikes out, in the dirt, Molina to Pujols for the out. 1 out. Johnson has to hold at 2nd.

Ward swings at a shitty pitch but runs
Can he tell Alf?
Ward knows

about the dropped 3rd strike

Now Batting: Gold Glover Alfonso Soriano
LETS GO FONZIE

I’m starting the 2-run homer vibes right now. . .who’s with me??

Me.

Sori. Sori. Sori. Sori. :-)

welp

here comes yoiu know who

smart pitch

I would have thrown a breaker too after the previous swing, trying way too hard to hit a HR

SORIANO GET A HIT YOU GUY!

YOU CAN DO IT!

Haha, Soriano was just about to show bunt there.
HE SQUARED TO BUNT

That’s funny.

LF Soriano

shows bunt on the first pitch … Glaus moves in at 3rd….

HR here

and all is forgiven

I love you, RFS.

Please do this every time from now on.

Fonzie

Wow, thank you.

Bunt? Really?

Crack one here. . .2-0 fat one coming

SHOWING BUNT?

You know his head is way messed up right now,,,

this is definitely

the resistable force meeting the movable object

Sure would be nice to see him lose one.
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The 30 millionaire awnts to bunt NOW?
LF Soriano

drives deep to LF, GONE! HOME RUN! ALFONSO TIES THE GAME AT 3-3 AND THE CUBS GET BACK UP OFF THE MAT! 3-3!

I'm there with you GET THAT MOJO SORI

HOME RUNNNNNN

THERE IT IS!

HR SORIANO!

Who would of thunk it
SORIANO!!!

YES!!!!!! ERASED THAT WHOLE FUCKING GAME!!!

Thx Alfonso

He still sucked ass for 8 innings

WHO CALLED IT

HES A 5-TOOL PLAYER PEOPLE. BE QUIET AND LET HIM PLAY OUT OF IT.

ok sori lovers

here’s ur boy

Word to all y'all
Soriano Homre run
Unbelievable

I guess that’s what he’s good for!

Redemption time for Soriano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOOO!!

I Love you Sori!!!! I’m SORRY-ano!!!!

God, Soriano is SO BAD!
no................fucking......................way..............

holy shit !!!

Tooooooooooooo funny

It would be wild to win a game we have no business winning….

OH MY GOD!!!

OH MY GOD!!!!

Nittany, we must be the only sane ones here. . .

Our power of positive thinking willed Sori to that one. I’m convinced

Onairos
OMG

i hope so my man, i hope so

I really do hope so

again

Hahahahaha

How much more ridiculous can we get?

What, than Soriano hitting a home run?

Geez, you people were serious! Wow.

no, i just mean the whole situation

to play like that in the field and then hit a ninth inning HR…..this team will be the death of lou

All apologies, cwyers

That said, on HR doesn’t right the ship

You can't right the ship in one at-bat.

That’s why they play 162 games in a season.

I understand that

But it’s also reasonable to expect more consistent, well-rounded play from a superstar. He started like this last season, and ended up pulling a hood year out of his butt. Maybe it wouldn’t have been as close with Milwaukee if he had shown up earlier.

You can’t disagree that there are huge holes in his defensive game. You can accept weak OF play from a clutch, high-power or high-OBP hitter, but when that person isn’t hitting, the deficiciencies are magnified

He certainly is a high-power hitter...

...and it’s not reasonable to expect more consistancy. From anyone. That’s not how baseball works. Players have hot streaks and they have slumps. For some reason, people tend to be a lot more reactive to those things when they start off a season than when they happen in August.

I respect your knowledge so I guess

we’ll agree to disagree. I guess that’s why they make chocolate, and that’s why they make vanilla.

Even Ryno

admitted he got off to slow April starts.

and a bad couple of weeks

Doesnt make an All Star a bad player all of a sudden.

SS Theriot

bunts past the mound, BRILLIANT play by Isringhausen. Barehands, backhands to Pujols. Wow, excellent play. 2 out.

I take back everything I said
I don't . . .

He still needs to learn to run on a dropped 3rd

Baseball can never be figured out....I am completely amazed at how

incredibly unpredictable game is…....

OHHHHH MYYYYY GOOOOOOODDDDDDDD

UNREAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
THE KEY TO ALFONSO'S HR:

Taking pitches to make it 2-0. That got him a fat one. Nice job of hitting, Alfonso.

Knew it would be an over ball . ..

And Riot had the best idea to follow with a bunt. Way to step on Albert while youre at it :)

Where is all the naysayers now that he was the worst ever?

You guys are the dumbest people ever, ever.

Seriously

They’ll be back on his very next K, forgetting who drove the train to the playoffs last year. Rock on, Fonz.

hahaha

how one’s mood and atttude toward a player can change with one pitch

I THINK

HE HIT ‘ROCK BOTTOM’

SORIANO!!!!!!!

No DOUBTER!!!

that little kid is awesome. the old guy next to him is hilarious also.

remember folks --

he’s made ALL THREE RUNS happen today.

I love this.

You always have a chance against Isringhausen, ALWAYS. Seems he’s always giving up baserunners against the Cubs.

FUCK ALL YOU haters

-signed Soriano

Relax

What are you, his mother?

yeeeess sirrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Oh freaking cry about is Isringhausen
Showing the replay on Theriot's bunt

Great call by the ump as well, throw beat him by mere split-seconds.

CUBS BULLPEN

34 Kerry Wood RHP

redeemeddddddddd

n/t

Give everyone a break about Sori!

He did truly suck for the first 8 innings. And he made them pay in the 9th.

Hey I said it

I’ll give him credit, but he has been far from a complete player for the cubs

1B Lee

walks on a 3-1 count. Another great AB. Up comes Ramirez Fontenot!

SNEAKY POWER!
he wont bat again....so yes
Wish Aram was coming up right now.

Come on Fontenot, make me look stupid for saying that!

Here's a question: Should Sori get a defensive replacement in the 10th?

n/t

Let's win it in 9
I dont...

Think we have the option to.

Blanco or Marquis in for Soriano in LF?

Think… before… post.

Actually you may be on to something

Marquis can’t pitch, and with Soriano’s arm . . . .

I truly wish the cardinals didnt get there runs the way they did

4 walks, and 3 straight errors.

I loved Molina's reaction

I lovedHe slammed his glove to the ground in frustration as soon as Soriano swung.

sadly

not trying to be negative nancy but we’d be ahead right now without the 2nd dropped flyball, and woody’s gonna face the thunder in the 9th so we haven’t exactly won this game yet

just started watching

I’ve been flipping back and forth b/w this and the hawks/celtics game…

where’s aramis?

did they pull him after that HBP?

flipped back just in time

for SORI! by the way

he played a few innings, then was taken out
Now everyone saying he's redeemed?

That was one home run after 2 muck ups in the field and a strike out with RISP. Soriano still needs a lot of work to do

Very much agreed

hes safe till tommorow :p

Haha, i agree
Mostly..

hes safe fom post-game talk (tv that is) but there is still alot of questions.

I'm not redeeming him . . .

I’m saying he’s an All-Star who can and will play out of his slump. For as bad as he’s been tonight, he’s still All-Star and WS winner ALFONSO FREAKIN’ SORIANO, and he can do things the average player simply cannot.

all the more reason he should be catching fly balls
First game back

off an injury and he isnt as sharp as he should be. Oh cry me a river. Meanwhile you’d be covering Theriot’s a** if he were in the same situation.

Living in Missouri has taught me one thing. . .

Izzy is a walking case of heartburn. Way to jump on him at his most vulnerable time. 2-0, slugger up, and they make him pay. THOSE are the signs of a winning team, one that will make it farther than last year in the playoffs barring total and catastrophic injury. If the haters would get their heads on straight, they’d see what I mean.

Exactly. This is what I mean by my lots of baserunners comment earlier.
Cardinal fans...

Booing….gotta love it..

but I thought they were the best fans in the game? How can you boo your own team?
Oh, like Cub fans at Wrigley don't boo?

Just ask Wood if you’re not sure

Yeah but Cub fans are the worst.

Just ask Marty Brennamen

Cubs fans don't brag about not booing, though.
Oh, very true
heart of the cards order next inning

I’d REALLY rather go in with a lead

WGN showing Soriano in the dugout.

Looks very quiet, just watching the game go on, expressionless.

New bat =

double gappper

well

this game has changed a lot

2B Fontenot

at the plate, fouling it off, Lee has taken off for 2nd on two straight pitches.

Is Marmol warming up?
SNEAKY POWER!!
ARam in the dugout tossing a ball.....looks like he told Pinella he was okay.....

whew…..I will untighten my sphincter a bit

DERREK LEE STEALS 2ND!
Holy crap

Late tag, AWESOME baseball by Lee.

OH BOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

single time!

Wrigley South!!!
wow close

dunno, maybe we caught a break

WOW

Not one I would have called safe, let’s see if he slid around it

SAFE AT SECOND!

Lee nearly picked off for the third out.

2B Fontenot

walks. Runners at 1st and 2nd.

High Tag

The same call we should have gotten yesterday at home but didnt

two on for the fuke man
NOW

is Fukudome’s time!

Isringhousen is OUT!

PITCHING CHANGE

IN: 27 Ron Villone LHP
OUT: 44 Jason Isringhausen RHP

Ron Villone? I am pleased

n/t

Nice AB by Fontenot

Fine work.

So far so good.

Come on Kosuke, just a base knock is all ya need.

Wow, that play could have gone both ways

GREAT at-bat by Fontenot, staying in the game.

FU KU DO ME

FIND A GAP

FONTY WALKED! Wow...I didnt know he knew how?
I just stopped laughing.

This is ridiculous. I do love baseball.

wow

sweeet call cards fans

I never ever wanna hear another word about how great they are

They really just booed Izzy

Fonty walks, Izzy out, Villone in

Come on Fuku, you’re due tonight

Just wondering.

Where is Woody’s head going to be regardless of what Dome does?

About Aramis....

Lou just walked over to him and pointed at his wrist and presumably asked him how his wrist was, Aramis nodded and said “It’s good, it’s good”.

might be different tomorrow
Saw that. Looked good. I'm hopeful.
didnt even see ice on it.....must be a good sign?
FU KU DO ME!

clap clap clap-clap clap

[Clap sure is a funny looking word.]

This is the year!......that I get an ulcer
Am I hearing SPOON?!

Yes. This is nice.

you can thank Len for that, I bet
Len Kasper: Indie Music Nerd

Just like me.

and me
Nerd power!

We should have rings like Captain Planet’s cronies or something.

heh heh.

Let’s do it.

They'll be little records

Grooves and all! Oh man, I love me a craft project. What’s your favorite color?

red and blue
Okay

I’m on it! I seriously do think I have some little plastic record charms around here somewhere. [Indie music nerd, craft grrl nerd too.]

YES!!

I actually call baseball, I’ll wear it during broadcasts!

Woody should be alright

Yesterday some bad jumps screwed him. I predict a 10-pitch inning regardless of being tied or leading. He won’t let the rivalry game slip.

Soriano may have homered but if it weren’t for his pathetic, horrifying little league defense in left field that a high school player could have caught we would be up 3-2 instead of tied

Right, and if it wasn't for his homer we'd still be losing...

...just 2-1 instead of 3-2.

The guy is worthless for his contract value

Face it, soriano is the worst non-pitcher contract in the majors right now

Nope.
who is?

I’m curious. Not saying Sori is but I can’t think of any right now.

$136 million for someone who can't catch routine flyballs

Sounds about right

All Star

Yeah he sucks, because the first game back from a leg injury he lets one get over his head he should have caught. Did you buy one of those jump to conclusion mats?

Or how about tonight where both of those balls in the 7th could have

been caught by a 10 year old

I won't commit to saying THE worst...

...without having more than five minutes to look into it, but Juan Pierre has the worst contract that I can think of off the top of my head.

Well I will at least agree with you that his is up there as well
And who has a worse non-pitcher contract than soriano?
Todd Helton

for one.

yikes

tell us how you really feel

Gotta take the good with the bad

At least he contributed today

Yeah, at least he drove in all three runs of this three-run tie.
But pls

admit his defense tonight has been woeful.

Sure.

But plenty of players have bad games. Heck, most of the Cubs are having bad games tonight. I don’t understand why Soriano is the only guy to catch this level of hell from the fans.

The contract

is the main reason IMO. To him much is granted much is expected.

Th

Because Soriano is the anti-Theriot.

Some people can only like people who play the way they think is right.

I root for all Cubbies to succeed.

I really think the approach is part of it

The leading off bit, no rehab assignment, the anti-Dome approach at the plate.

My issue is the refusal to adjust—but I won’t rip on him as much as I’ve seen here. I’ll just point out what I see.

Was it Arams...

Right or Left Wrist that he hurt?

left. . .

its the lead wrist while batting, he had an HBP

I understand that...

...it is the lead wrist when batting right handed…but you can get hit on either wrist…

that's not what he was saying, just explaining what happened

A new game thread would great right about now.

did anyone else celebrate that shot by

jumping up and down and going nutz?

Laughing hysterically.
sure did

my roommates think I’m crazy

and I guess I am, but it’s all good

think it was the left wrist.
RF Fukudome

sends a fly ball to LF, Schumaker reaches out, makes the catch running into the wall. 3 out.

who the fuck is schumaker?
Skip Schumacher

Baseball Reference page

kind of a sarcastic statement

but how are the cards honestly playing this well with their outfield?

Thkip Thewmacher
and easy on the F-bomb
emotions

got the better of me..

Man, aren't you just an F-bomb nazi?

Al doesn’t mind that casual “fuck,” just not every sentence/post

Fuku slices another turd into LF

O-fer tonight

Just throw strikes Kerry.

If we lose, we lose. But, no walks.

Amen.

Like I said, 10 pitches. I’ll be counting.

Soriano apparently has done it all tonight

he’s helped both teams on offense!

Yep, he's run the full gamut of emotions, as have we.
come on woody... im so nervous right now..
Pitchers seem to have Kosuke figured out

Has trouble with hard stuff low and away…

and yet, he had 4 hits yesterday
That's less about Kosuke

And more about the batting style. The running Japanese style is prone to that pitch, because its harder to reach when youre falling off towards first.

You mean like

they have Soto figured out?

Well Woody gets his shot for redemption now.....just gotta get it against the buzzsaw of their lineup
PITCHING CHANGE

IN: 34 Kerry Wood RHP

CF Ankiel

hits it high in the air to RF, Fukudome makes the catch on the warning track. 1 out.

PHEW

that was close…..........

that was scary.........................
WOWOWOWOWOW

that looked like a HR off the bat

Phewwwwwwwwwwwwww

Thank you, Dome.

Yikes.....Woody.....stop that....
I think Len thought that was gone
yup....he sold me for second
Me too, that pause had me
What Did Woody Throw?

Fastball? breaking ball?

Looks like if the Cubs, Brewers and Cards

are going to be beating each other up this year, there will be a lot of blown saves by all.

Nah

I still think the Cards are smoke and mirrors, and with Gallardo going down and the Brewers bullpen woes … well I am very optimistic about the Cubs winning the division

That's the consensus

but strange things can happen.

1B Pujols

swinging bunt, Soto fields cleanly and GUNS him out at 1st! 2 out.

soto

easy peasy

Hey when is Pujol going
Got Pujols 1-3!
Nice play Geo

2 pitches here for 10 . . . come on woody, prove me right. . . and save yourself for another inning if we get a leadoff HR

haha

nice call

How many?

8 pitches so far?

nice breaking ball on Pujols...

n/t

alrighty then
3B Glaus

whiffs on the first pitch, a 96mph fastball. (Ron asks Pat where the radar is in the stadium. LOL!)

Glaus pops it up in shallow LF, Theriot makes the catch. Wood gets some of their best 1-2-3. To the 10th!

Woody

LOCKS it down. We’re in the 10th.

OK, Just Put The Game On

LOL @ Len – “somebody catch it, please!”

If Len was moved to say that

I can’t imagine what Ron was saying!

10 pitches exactly. Great inning.

Woody will not have 2 bad games in a row this year, I think. He has too much pride in himself and what he means to the Cubs to do otherwise.

That was funny, The Riot flapping Soriano away.

I got this one, buddy.

gah

and now the genital herpes commercial….again

So glad I don't have genital herpes

n/t

I love this comment.

Hilarious.

followed up by levitra

they really have a poor opinion of cub fans

last year they would always have Cialis
ROFL

ha ha…funniest of the day….

Good job Woody!!!!

Redemption sorta….....who can go long in the pen? Fox??

great inning woody!

runs pls kthx

Haha, Theriot meant to say by his arms were

“Soriano, you dirty SOB, I’ll get this pop out so you don’t drop it”

Swing that BAT.......and take the 3 or 5 spot....

One more hit earlier wouldda done it…...

Meean’t to be posted after the HR…..

love Theriot waving Soriano away.....like "stay away Lupas!"
well we really don't need an extra inning game

they need to end this quickly

Genital Herpes and erectile dysfunction.

Great with a home run by Soto

Levitra

If I had an erection lasting over 4 hours my wife would have me knighted!

haha

I remember them doing an SNL skit that was like, “if you have an erection for more than 24 hours, call all your friends so they can congratulate you.”

Yes I did read the above comments about Ramirez

But is his injury in need of a DL trip?

4-0 on the road in extras

I don’t care how long it goes, I just want the big W.

This thread

has all kinds of issues after this many posts!

Amazing

how many more posters you get when the Cubs are losing a game than when they are winning.

Up for the Cubs

2B DeRosa
C Soto
CF Johnson

vs Villone…

2B DeRosa

strikes out called on the inside corner. Yeesh.

DeRo

watches a hittable strike three go by

DeRosa stares

nice approach to that AB

C Soto

grounds out, 2 out.

soto bounces out to 3b
Soto

anxiously swings at the 1st pitch – composure dude!

LETS GO FOX!?

Aw shizz

DeRo and Soto out. This may be extras.

Um, 9 is regulation

This already is extra

And if Mr. Leadoff....

Hadd any Cajones….Cubs wouldda won in regulation…...

Can someone make a 2nd thread this is getting really bad?
Is Marmol up?
Yes. Marmol and Fox.

no one else is left.

it's up to you mr. johnson.....
Extra inning overflow thread!

JUMP!

Ludwick Sucks
man what do they put in the water for these outfielders?
to the bottom of the 10th
Nice catch Ludwick

That’s a hard play for sure. Time to go get ‘em on D ourselves

Al

It just took about 5 minutes to load this page. Fix this.

Not eenough winners
Cubs stink

The Cubs are just playing very poor baseball right now, and if Aramis is out for any extended period of time, it is not going to get any better.

These are the type of games the Cubs have lost for decades. They get on a great streak, win a few games, get your hopes up, and then smash them just as fast.

I said yesterday this team has to learn how to win. That means learning to relax and play ball when everyone is tight. Being smart with the count and not swinging wildly at a pitch in the dirt. Throw the ball in the catcher’s glove rather than over his head. It’s called mental toughness and a confidence that eventually overcomes the obstacles. The Cubs still don’t have it. But they have a manager that knows how to win, the question is can he break through the mental malaise that has plagued this team for decades. Only time will tell.

SBNation is slowwwwwwwwwwww

They have to fix this. It really sucks. I written them a few times and nothing seems to be done to seriously take care of this.

There’s no reason overflow threads need to be created for every few hundred posts. There are blogs out there that handle that load no problem.

When this one

reached 1000 we started another game thread in the fanposts. Relax.

I saw the game thread in the fan posts

Thanks for telling me to relax, though?

Geez...

I just got home and hit play on the DVR….
Fook!
I read through some of the posts while Soriano was blowing HUGE chunks, while I love some of the greats on this wonderful BCB, I do have to disagree with some of the Sori die hards.
He SUCKETH MIGHTILY!

I know it’s hindsight, but I did have serious doubts about his coming back like this without any AAA play first.
He wasn’t that great to start the season anyway….so why would anyone think he would just all of a sudden play awesome?
Especially when things were going so well….the Platooning was working well for Lou, and it’s rather mind boggling as to why he would do this.
Two games now Fonz’s been TOTAL shit at the plate, and looks worse than a highschool boy out in left….UGH!!

I wasn’t aware a player can refuse going down to the minors for rehab…?
Are there regulations about that?
Whatever the case – he needs to go down for a few games….maybe a week.
‘Cuz that was totally whacked watching him blow it so bad….TWO GAMES evennnnn!!!
And this losing BS has GOTTA stop…especially when we could very well have won these last two….

Okay – I’m done venting now. :-)

Cubs may have lost six out of their last seven

or however you wanna count it w/tonights loss, but at least they’re playing better then my Rockies.

Out of curiosity, what brought a Rockies fan to a Cubs vs Cardinals thread? : )
I love the Cubs.

I live in Colorado but I grew up a Cubs fan and my mom has family in Chicago and I’ve been there 3 times been to 3 Cubs games there as well. I love Chicago just as much as I love Colorado & I root for the Cubs whenever they’re playing every other team except my Rockies.

Might as well make it 1017...

...I have never seen so many comments in a thread—never!

Didn’t see the game but if Soriano’s play was accurately described by Sullivan then let’s hope he isn’t too bothered to get his act together like real soon. I thought Pinella’s comments about not double switching his “superstar” were pathetic but at least candid in that Soriano comes before the team. The only problem with those lame excuses is that you have a perfect excuse for double switching and for batting him down—his leg! Geeze, WTF is the world coming to when and multimillionaire can’t have his delicate feelings hurt. As for his HR, he was due and that’s like what they pay him truck loads of cash to do, let’s hope he can find a way to pull in a pop-up. reach deep down within you, you can do it. I’ve almost seen enough now to say that the Cubs have too many losers on this roster, guys who have the make-up to choke. I suppose that i am over reacting, but if you are going to be a clod in the field then at least put up Manny like numbers. Soriano’s not even in that league.

At least Lou is right-on with Hill and apparently he’s not waiting anymore. Hill’s “effort” was a joke—they should send him to AAA if he has options, right now he’s wasted roster space. If he can get it together down there then you bring him back.

2 lousy losses in a row, the bullpen is taking a beating.

I was at the game

Daryle Ward would have caught the fly ball in the 7th inning. Easily. He also had a problem with communicating with the 3rd baseman earlier, which wasn’t as bad. He was just terrible.

As an aside, I posted a couple pics from the game last night as FanShots, including one of Fonso about to put the ball in the left-field bullpen.

My question to you is

Who is our Skip Schumaker? When was the last time one of our bit players actually stepped up and won a game? Not talking about a bloop or a dribbler. An actual clutch hit to win a game. Tonight they had many chances and zero return. I’m talking about DeRo, Riot, Fonty, Fuku, RJ, Onedec, etc. There were chances tonight. Until someone else steps up, this team will never win jack. How about pitchers? The only guy that shows up is Z. Hill is a joke and the rest are chokeartists. Lilly has his chance tomorrow. Anything less than 6 innings and he’s a bum too.

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