Bleed Cubbie Blue

Brian Custer?

Is that you?

We should send him a thank-you card at least.

Brian Custer? Or Heilman?

Heilman

We can send Custer an ecard.

I had quickly flipped over to

the Florida telecast (I hadn’t for the entire game) and the only sentence I heard went something like:

“The Marlins could never solve Heilman when he was with the Mets."

So, his performance last night was true to the stats.

The stats tell a different story.

4-7, 4.14 ERA vs. the Marlins in 43 career appearances (including last night).

But that's what the guy said.

I flipped away and didn’t listen further.

they went on and on about how great Heilman has been vs. the Marlins

during the pre-game show they also went on and on about how Bonafacio has no business being on the team…..had a few good weeks at the start of the year…..

lets not get carried away

with heilmania, shall we?

flyingdonut - August 2, 2009 reply

True.

That’s exactly what happened to Germany.

nice

I see what you did there. :-)

false cognate - August 2, 2009 reply

Ohhhhh......PUNny....

PurpleLineToWrigley - August 2, 2009 reply

Heilman was great

Hopefully, this wasn’t just the sun shining on a dog’s ass once in a while

Worf - August 2, 2009 reply

Hahahaha.

That’s great.

Hope Ramiriez is alright!

One of the more unbelievable 9th inning meltdowns I have seen.

The Cubs blow a 3-run lead late in the game against the Marlins. Sound familiar? It does for anyone who remembers 2003. Only this time there weren’t 5 outs to get. Only 1. And they were one strike away from getting THAT!

But that bottom of the 9th made me ill. I confess I turned the TV off and went to bed after the 9th. I couldn’t watch any more.

I know, different circumstances COMPLETELY. And the Cubs went on to WIN this game.

Thank you D-Lee. Thank you A.H. Thank you Cubs for having greater intestinal fortitude than I did last night. That’s why you all get the BIG bucks.

P.S.- what is it about this Marlins franchise? Man, I hate them MORE than the Mets- and that’s saying something.

Big ups to The Riot for the "insurance runs"

We really needed those in the bottom of the 9th. Thankfully DeLee came through with a HUGE HR. Very entertaining game, but I’d rather see a boring 7-1 Cubs win today – thank you very much.

I didn't find this game "entertaining" at all.

Stressful, intense, mind boggling, frustrating, exhausting……

But the Cubs won

so we can chalk it up to “entertainment” after the fact. From the Marlins point of view, they came back from a 6-0 deficit and tied it with two outs in the bottom of the 9th – only to lose in 10. THAT’S frustrating…

I suppose.

I just couldn’t stand all that wild pitching. I’ll take a pitcher’s duel any day for entertaining.

Couldn't happen to a nicer team...

Bob Brenly doesn't like them either, it seems.

He pulled a great line last night about Leo Nunez:

“Dan Uggla just saved Nunez’ life because Koyie would break him into 1,000,000 pieces.”

lol

A technicality

It was actually a “billion” (1,000,000,000) pieces.

kofspades - August 2, 2009 reply

Was it a million or a billion?

I couldn’t watch, didn’t hear it.

Billion

Carl Sagan

is happy

Thanks.

It was still a great line nonetheless!

BB, I've told you a MILLION times not to exaggerate!

I mean, honestly. Sigh.

That's why Bob is there

To give voice to our collective thoughts in that situation.

Any other park and Theriot's hit in the 9th ends it.

That was home run power in most stadia, but alas, it was not quite enough juice to Gregg-proof that one. Derrek Lee, however, continues to mash like a man possessed. That was a line drive into the seats in left, so beyond doubt that Len Kasper shouted “Cubs lead” before the ball was even halfway to the wall.

Goodie1969 - August 2, 2009 reply

The ball Bonifacio hit would also have been a HR in most parks.

I think Soriano had one that could have been a homerun elsewhere too.

D-Lee also hit a double earlier

off the wall that would have been a HR.

stuartscottslefteye - August 2, 2009 reply

Love the correct use of Latin. Well done.

I had help from a fellow BCBer...

…I couldn’t use ALL of my old altar boy Latin to “suss” out the phrases…

Thought Paulino Had Struck Out

I thought Paulino had struck out on a foul tip a few pitches before he hit the homer, but Paulino got enough of the pitch that Hill didn’t catch it. After that foul ball, Gregg was horrible.

memphiscub - August 2, 2009 reply

missed foul balls + the marlins = disaster

Ramirez

I was watching Ramirez and I think it was the heat.

puckishcubsfan - August 2, 2009 reply

You'd think

someone from the DR would be able to withstand Florida weather.

Crap, I’m starting to sound like Dusty.

..."dude"... (toothpick shifts from left to right in mouth)

"dude"

“That reminds me of the time Bobby Bonds and I went bowling…”

LMAO

ditto

Not Bruce Froemming - August 2, 2009 reply

How can he lose a ball in the sun?

He’s from Mexico!!

Soriano looked comical on the infield.

This quote by him amused me.

“It feels very confusing,” Soriano said about playing third. “When I play left field, I see everything from far away. At third, I see everything close, and I don’t feel comfortable. Thank God, nobody hit me a ground ball. I didn’t feel comfortable.”

However, as dumb as his comment sounds, I must say he took the shifting very well. But yes, thank God nobody hit anything to him.

Yeah, that 10th was interesting.

Reminded me of the game where Sean Marshall played left field so Lou didn’t have to take him out of the game. Lou has done some entertaining managing lately, that’s for sure.

Goodie1969 - August 2, 2009 reply

Why is it dumb?

His english isn’t the greatest, and he was trying to be honest and put it into words that he didn’t feel comfortable playing 3rd.

CubsBullsBears - August 2, 2009 reply

Yes, maybe dumb is too harsh. I understand it's not his first language.

It’s just that it’s nice to know that he realizes 3rd base is closer than left field. I honestly didn’t mean anything bad here. I thought he took the moving back and forth from 2nd to 3rd very well.

Well, maybe you don't want him to admit he's not comfortable about there

so if the Cubs are again in a situation where he needs to come into the infield, the opposition will strive to hit the ball that way. Why admit a weakness?

ChipSet - August 2, 2009 reply

Good point.

The Marlins couldn’t have been that stupid to not know it was a weakness without him saying that though. Could they? If it wasn’t obvious enough, Lou pretty much told them by moving him back and forth in hopes to avoid the possibility of a ball being hit to him. I would think they had to have been trying to do just that. Fortunately, they were unsuccessful.

Admitting he’s uncomfortable is not the best idea though.

Bet he works out for a little bit with Tram in the next few days, just to ease his mind, and quicken his glove...

…can’t bunny hop on ground balls hit to you…

you can't?

Perhaps, "shouldn't" would have been a better word to use.

It would be interesting to see though.

Mother tongue and sounding silly

I know what is like trying to communicate in a language which I do not fully command. For somebody who did not grow up speaking English, his comments are extremely well put and not dumb at all!

eths - August 2, 2009 reply

Once again,

sorry if I offended anyone with this. It just struck me as a funny thing to say. Like yeah, duh, third base is closer. My bad.

Yes third base is closer, and we all know it

His point was how different the perception of the game is, because third is so much closer than the outfield. And that it was not something he felt at ease with. So “Like yeah, duh, third base is closer” but what does that mean for a player, who mainly plays in left field.

>My bad.

Don’t worry – I’ve had plenty of bads myself. It’s part of being a human being…

eths - August 2, 2009 reply

you said sounds dumb

a written quote from anyone that doesn’t have a pretty full grasp of the language will sound dumb. I don’t get the jumping on you for that.

shake n bake - August 2, 2009 reply

All

in all the Marlins come backs not with standing, was a fun game to watch.

wild bill - August 2, 2009 reply

5 pm start today?

That’s a stupid start time today, although we probably need the rest. Games like last night age fans as well. I could feel the gray hairs popping up after Paulino’s HR. Let’s finish the freaking fish and get on to Zinnzziatti!!

Fully Kreusened - August 2, 2009 reply

It's Florida...

…they’ll get that in before the put in dugouts

5 PM not too bad...

…that would be 11 PM local time, so I’ll be able to watch at least half the game before sleeping and getting up early for work on Monday.

eths - August 2, 2009 reply

Its called the heat, think about it. The Rangers do it quite often as well.

AzCubfan24 - August 2, 2009 reply

rangers only play night games at home from May until August...

DC Cubbie - August 2, 2009 reply

Was that LaTroy Hawkins we had closing last night?

Really. Had a Shea Stadium feel to it, didn't it?

Gregg threw what, 40+ pitches last night. You won’t see him again tonight I’m betting. (unless we need only one out to win it…oh wait, nevermind…)

Did Milton Bradley ever hear of

“if it’s close with two strikes you have to swing.”

P.S. How hard is it for this guy to know how many outs there are in an inning?

very, apparently

He should ask Koyie Hill

Who has also had problems with this. Didn’t you know?

berselius - August 2, 2009 reply

Marmol's Eighth Inning

That’s something Mitch Williams would have loved. Marmol walked two (one intentionally), hit a batter, but gave up no runs and no hits. That bottom of the eighth was far too scary for me. Brenly is really frustrated with Marmol. He suggested that if the Cubs were comfortably ahead in the standings that the Cubs would consider sending Marmol to the minors to work on Marmol’s control issues.

memphiscub - August 2, 2009 reply

I heard that

and I agree. Marmol seemed to find the strike zone on the last 2 hitters, thankfully, but he was a train wreck prior to that. I mean, when you hit someone on their shin, that’s doing something!

Heilman pitched great and Gregg proved the old cliche that the last out is the hardest to get.

Let’s get that win today!

BigJohnAZ - August 2, 2009 reply

Yes. He needs to work his mental issues out in Iowa.

Marmols problem isn’t his arm, arm slot, location or anything other than the 8" of real estate between his ears… and my, what ears they are, Virginia…

It was as though after the bases were loaded

a switch went on in his head and he suddenly found the strike zone. Weird.

He got some positive visual reinforcement from strikes being called and batters swinging and missing

and yes, it looked like that made all the difference. That should be a huge clue to the coaching staff- and is probably why he didn’t get pulled earlier in the inning. I was ready to give him the hook.

When Marmol warms up in the

pen, one of the coaches stands in the left side to help him prepare for a hitter…sometimes it works,,sometimes it doesnt

with a helmet, an elbow pad, knee pad, and shin guards

sounds like they need two coaches out there

Marmol should just hit the first one and throw four balls around the next one. Get it out of his system….

and on that note

may I say that the job I would most love is Lester Strode’s. Guy gets to hang out with the players on the field, and all he has to do is answer the bullpen phone and hold a clip board. Sign me up!

I seriously wonder day in an day out how Lou hasnt figured this out.

Heilman does not throw well when he inherits runners. If the bags are empty he does well.
Marshall does well with inherited runners. Why does he keep using them so wrong sometimes?

jkobus - August 2, 2009 reply

How about the fact

That Heilman threw two good innings against a team that destroyed him in the last two years?

And yes, I agree with you about Heilman and inherited runners. Lou is stubborn when it comes to the bullpen so I guess it doesn’t matter what the facts prove.

Lou

Is he stubborn or is he coaching for a time when he doesn’t have the luxury of giving a damn whether a pitcher is comfortable coming in with no one on base? Lou’s opinion is very firm do your damn job or see ya.

KyCubsFan - August 2, 2009 reply

Agreed. He's tired of having to baby his pitchers and adjust HIS game plan to their phobias.

WanderingWanderer - August 2, 2009 reply

that's being stubborn

He was fine with shuffling the starting rotation around to let Harden pitch at night

until injury forced his hand.

shake n bake - August 2, 2009 reply

This is just typical Lou

He did it last year with Howry. He’s going to put in whomever he wants and we as fans just have to deal and complain about it.

It’s August so I highly doubt anything will change.

The 3 players that Heilman

faced in the ninth are a lifetime 1 for 33 according to the Marlins announcers.
They call Heilman the Marlin Killer

Grockcubs - August 2, 2009 reply

Can he start today?

WanderingWanderer - August 2, 2009 reply

Brian Custer just get very excited

Heilman pitches like Brian's relative George

I thought Heilman was a Cubbie Killer?

But if they are 1 for 33 I am shocked. Really shocked.

How could the Marlins have destroyed him the last two years?

Seriously, they kept showing one Marlins hitter after another – Ramirez, Ross, Hermida, etc – who was 1 for 8 or 0 for 10 against him.

Well I was mistaken then

I’m allowed.

I guess it was every other team in the NL East that devoured him.

I'm so glad I didn't watch the whole game

Once the score got to be 5-3 I decided I couldn’t sit through this on a Saturday Night even if the Cubs did win. Thankfully they did.

Jessica, if you read this, I’ll be at Kelly’s in the next couple weeks. Trust me, this is not one of those games you wanted to meet me for the first time. You would have heard me complain about everything!

off day on monday or is it straight to Cinci?

Straight to Cincy

Off day on Thursday before 4-game series against Colorado.

thank you

Not Bruce Froemming - August 2, 2009 reply

I like Cincinnati, but

I’d rather have the off day in Denver, were I the Cubs.

I wonder what position the Cubs would be in

if Paul Bako was our backup catcher instead of Koyie Hill.

::shudder::

Koyie gets miles of slack from me for his mediocre hitting, because he has been invaluable on defense.

Goodie1969 - August 2, 2009 reply

I think he's...

Thrown out over 40% of runners.

CubsBullsBears - August 2, 2009 reply

Why does "invaluable" and "valuable" mean the same thing?

Just wondering. Sort of like “inflammable” and “flammable”. Strange.

not exactly the same

Valuable means has a lot of worth. Invaluable means so valuable you can’t actually put a price to it, i.e., not able to assign a value.

false cognate - August 2, 2009 reply

Right... technically, they mean opposite things...

valuable things are able to be assigned value (though we typically only use the term to describe things of higher value). Invaluable things cannot be assigned a value.

But not really opposite

because they both are things that are precious. “Valuable” means we put a high value on it. “Invaluable” is so precious it’s (high) value can’t be measured. Kind of like “pricey” and “priceless”.

ChipSet - August 2, 2009 reply

AAAGH ITS not IT'S

Sorry for the apostrophe abuse. I hate it when that happen’s (J/K).

ChipSet - August 2, 2009 reply

Valuable literally only means "able to be valued"

we’ve just changed the connotation to mean something of high value. I don’t disagree with you in what is meant in practice – I was merely commenting on the literal meanings.

So "flammable" means "able to burn" and "inflammable" means...

SO flammable that it can’t be set on fire?

Just extrapolating a bit… ;)

Well, it's slightly different, as inflame is a word

flammable means able to burn… and inflammable means able to be inflamed

There's a LOT of "inflaming" going on at BCB. Especially during game threads...

Speaking of an inflamation…

buh-duh-boom! CHING!

or Henry Blanco

A lot of people wanted him back but he was never that durable and is on the DL again. Hill goes out there day after day.

rlpete - August 2, 2009 reply

What are the facts about Nunez staring Hill down?

I missed something.

Hill was upset by the game on Friday when Nunez was excessively celebrating after closing out the game. When Hill charged down the first baseline yesterday,

…he happened to “brush” past Nunez and why I believe Nunez was starring him down. Bob mentioned that Hill would “crush Nunez into a million pieces” if they started anything.

TrueCubbie - August 2, 2009 reply

Nunez is a punk

After acting like he did Friday night, he’s upset with Hill for brushing past him. Seriously?

I’m glad we hung the L on this clown.

dedfishflote - August 2, 2009 reply

It was ridiculous

Koyie was just hustling to try to keep the inning alive; when Nunez took the toss and tagged the bag he didn’t get out of the way. I suppose he was expecting Koyie to just give up, as it was semi-routine, but to me it looked like Nunez’s fault.

false cognate - August 2, 2009 reply

I hope this ends here and doesn't lead to some "retaliation"

that could cause any injuries/suspensions.

Hill was already out when he was two steps from the bag.

He was hustling to make a point.

Dartmouth Cub said he was there last night and said Hill leaned into him.

i’m sure for being a tool last night staring him down…so being a punk Nunez has to do it again to show how tough he is. I’m very glad Hill was smart enough to walk away, everyone knows we have only Fox after that if he were to draw a suspension plus…it’s irritating sure…but still just staring.

I don't know how smart Hill was if he really did lean into him

Isn’t that a means of continuing the pissing contest? Yeah, it’s a good thing he walked away, but a better thing would have been to just ignore it.

Not to get political here but didn’t Obama do a little gesture during one of his election speeches, like brushing lint off his shoulder. Think he picked it up from some rapper-type (JayZ?). Wherever it came from, I think it represents the best response to this kind of stuff. Just sorta brush it off, like it’s a little piece of lint/dust/dirt. Move along son, you’re hardly worth my time or attention…

yeah it's from a Jay-Z song

shake n bake - August 2, 2009 reply

Has there ever

really been a pissing contest….If so I never see any advertising for it

Not sure - but if there has, I bet SWL can find a picture about it.

I've only played it on my Wii

californiachicagoan - August 2, 2009 reply

What do you do with the controller?

Im trying to

come up with an app for Iphone so I can be rich!!!!!

ps Iphones are not to get wet……

there is an app, its called ipee urinal :P

How was what Nunez did Friday

anything different than what Marmol and Big Z do on a regular basis after a big strikeout?

stltrav09 - August 2, 2009 reply

This is the downside of sports as entertainment

The spirit of sportmanship and respect go out the window, and someone is very likely to get seriously hurt.

Did you see it or are you just trying to pick a fight?

In case you haven’t been paying attention, Z has (for him anyway) calmed his act down a lot this year. Yes, you still get the fist pump, and the point to the heavens after the inning is over. You’re reaching a bit even including Marmol in the discussion.

What Nunez did was over the top, ala the “quiet dignity” of Valverde.

dedfishflote - August 2, 2009 reply

marmol did do the fist pump/yelling thing last night

but then again he did do a magic trick

he is a cards fan...

see, that's just it. What Nunez did was over YOUR definition of what "top" is.

To a lot of people, it’s ALL over the top – you’re just talking about degrees of over-the-topness. So I guess it’s up to each person to draw their own line as to what’s okay and what isn’t.

Because it wasn't a "big strikeout"

the Marlins won 5-2, he struck out Koyie Hill with one person on base. Now Marmol’s situation last night in the eighth was a different situation, he had the bases loaded, by his own means of course, and struck out that last two batters in a one-run game, that is something to celebrate, and I, and I’m sure along with everyone else, would not of had a problem with Nunez’s celebration, if he had gotten out of a similar situation. It is all about the context of the excessive celebration, like Ryan Braun’s, solo homerun celebration against the Cub’s, when the Brewer’s were up by like 3 runs, unnecessary.

dtc0405 - August 2, 2009 reply

I'm not sure if you're asking bc you didn't see it, but Nunez's act was 20x as extreme as any celebration I've ever seen come from a Cubs pitcher.

smash! - August 2, 2009 reply

Thanks,

I had the tv on mute with the radio on. I saw the stare but didn’t know what it was about.

the good the bad the ugly

the good-scoring 9 runs. the bad-bullpen. the ugly-ramirez and z getting hurt and soriano at 3rd. these damn fish keep coming at you.brought back bad memories of the 03 postseason. after ramirez i think theriot is the player i would most like to have up in a rbi situation. after big d of course. we need to play the a game because the cardinals are looking real strong.

NOMAR - August 2, 2009 reply

Someone said it yesterday

Matt Holliday has to come back to earth sooner or later. I don’t think he’ll hit .600 through September. It would be nice if Houston could take one from the Cardinals today. Suddenly the Astros and Brewers are 5.5 games back.

Don't tell Mitch Williams that

His man-crush on Holliday is reaching DeRosa-esque status.

i expect when he does regress that pujols will go on a tear.

these are the cardinals remember; they tend to be pretty fortunate, and things are going very well for them this year. the cards are going to win a bunch of games. i’m not sure we can keep up, but if we stay close we should win the wild card easily.

buckmulligan - August 2, 2009 reply

I honestly don't think they have the pitching to maintain this pace.

slcathena - August 2, 2009 reply

carpenters arm will fall off in the next month

Me neither.

It’s only a matter of time until Carpenter loses some steam, and I don’t think that Wainwright can do it all by himself.

jesus christ does not regress

Al......Aramis wasn't the go ahead run when he was hit....

…he came up right after DLee’s homer.

Either that pitch REALLY got away, or it was intentional. But I don’t care about all that, just happy with the win and hope Z and Rami are okay.

Canadian Cubs Fan - August 2, 2009 reply

+1

and hope Hanley is just sore enough not to tee of on Dempster today!

Oops

off.

Canadian Cubs Fan - August 2, 2009 reply

i'll take sore enough to be off today

KyCubsFan - August 2, 2009 reply

It was intentional, Al must have been tired last night to think the game was still tied.

The Fish picked their spot and it was good timing. It went Ramirez for Ramirez…ours was unintentional, and as long as there is no permanent damage its a wash…we can’t afford a beanball war, for injuries or suspension. Let’s hope this simply dies away today and Florida simply brings out a stuffed Bartman doll in the 7th inning (They can’t resist being tasteless and stupid for a whole game). See the Brewers for what happens when you can’t let things go and lash out at the other team like a kid.

offspeed pitch on a 2-2 count.

yep, that’s got intentional written all over it…

I think it was definitely intentional- there's no doubt in my mind.

smash! - August 2, 2009 reply

When rami got hit, wasn't tied

Nunez, in a sense, blew it at the time. He was pissed, looked like he threw at him IMO

bilbosbuttons - August 2, 2009 via mobile reply

Please note,

I’m not trying to start a conspiracy, or a bean ball battle, just thought it looked intentional

bilbosbuttons - August 2, 2009 via mobile reply

You guys are right, the Cubs already had the lead.

It wasn’t intentional. At least I didn’t think so.

No, it wasn't.

An off-speed pitch, a 2-2 count, the Marlins should have already retired Ramirez on a foul ball that was dropped, and it was only a 1-run game with Aaron Heilman coming in.

I’ll say it again in this thread, but a little toned down:
The goal of Major League Baseball teams is to win games. Sometimes, retaliation happens, but not in games that they have a chance to win where a HBP could significantly lesson that chance.

Teams don’t get together 162 times/year to show each other how tough they are.

You mean like the Brewers?

I enjoy your posts badger, but I think you are off on this one. Surely not every time but it sure happens and can come in bunches. Not 162 times, but yes they do get full of pride and put themselves first instead of the team…I’m just glad the Cubs didn’t do that last night. It usually goes best player for best player…and since Lee has a lot of friends on the Fish, (at least you’d think so)…Ramirez was the one. He threw at his hip…safe throw now we move on.

I think there's 1 player left on the Marlins from that 2003 squad.

The only fight I wanna see is...

Brenley v. Nunez, lol

bilbosbuttons - August 2, 2009 via mobile reply

Um, afraid you would have to put your money on youth and agility over old and slow...

Sorry BB.

No way...

Never underestimate old man strength.

CubsBullsBears - August 2, 2009 reply

LOL. Speaking as one of the "old men", ASLO never underestimate the old adage: "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak..."

Overplaying “old man strength” is what tore my Achilles tendon in a pickup touch football game…

…reality sets in at some point just to remind us that time marches on…

what about k hill v nunez

WWE feature match of the week on WGN-TV!

stuartscottslefteye - August 2, 2009 reply

My friends and I were debating who'd win in a fight -

Thome v. Zambrano. Country-strong v. big & bat-shit crazy

If ever there was a need for a Hulk-Z photoshopping

it would be now.

“The madder Z gets, the stronger Z gets! RAGGGHHHH!!!”

Country strong v. big and bat-shit crazy....

god that’s funny. sounds like the title for a WWE fight!

Wacked out game

had to follow the game on the computer at work. Got to hear Ronnie and Pat in the infamous ninth by the Marlins, unreal, I thought Ronnie was gone.
Lee is a man, huge hit.
Couple other things: Shark needs to get to Iowa soon and work and work some more or enter the NFL draft next year.
Milton has been brutal. I don’t want hear he is walking alot and his OBP has been great. Would it hurt just once in awhile to get a hit with a runner on base? Theriot is a better RBI man. And I will hear that RBI’s are not a good indicator of a hitter, oh really. Milton has busted 30 RBI’s, enough already, we are running out of time for to start hitting. The excuses are worn out.

Grockcubs - August 2, 2009 reply

the people on the pirates site

wanted shark. i’m not sayin’, i’m just sayin’

pretty sure shark has some sort of no trade clause. Plus with his signing bonus Hendry is not going to give up on him yet for the likes of Grabow/Gorzelanny.

I could be wrong on no trade clause…can anyone verify?

MandMexpress12 - August 2, 2009 reply

Koyie Hill

How many games in a row has this machine started? And what is the record for consecutive starts by a cub catcher.

jkobus - August 2, 2009 via mobile reply

Randy Hundley started 156 games in 1968.

He started the first 26 games of the season (and finished all but one).

Then he started 40 more consecutive games before getting a day off. (But he went into the game he didn’t start.)

Need I go on? Hundley also caught both games of a doubleheader SEVEN TIMES that year.

Hill has 22 straight starts. Got a ways to go before he can be considered “Iron Man” like Hundley.

Well damn

That is a lot of starts. But I give hill huge props for this streak. Being a back up catcher and holding down the catcher spot for so long is awesome

jkobus - August 2, 2009 via mobile reply

True.

And the Cubs are 14-8 in those 22 games.

Kudos to him, he has looked terrific behind the plate, better than I knew defensively.

He has that average plummeting though and I sure hope Soto brings his bat with him. I know catching all those games sure can be part of it, but either way some offensive production would be nice.

OT: Andy MacPhail quote

“There does come a time when the standings are the standings.” — Orioles GM Andy MacPhail on the last-place teams’ decision to trade All-Star closer George Sherrill to the Dodgers.

Thank you Captain Obvious!

That's kind of as bad as when people say

“it is what it is” when they’re too lazy to comment on something.

...like "same old, same old"?

AMac sure has changed his tune

Time was when he lived by the credo “I just hate to waste a season”, and perpetually kept the Cubs’ roster stocked with the Leo Gomezes and Ismael Valdezes of the world when he should have embraced a proper housecleaning plan and planned for the long-term.

Which reminds me

I don’t miss the times when the cubs would, at this time of year, be dealing for a Cole Liniak. Guys like that, we wouldn’t be picking up now if they were released.

You get in there, put your head down, play hard, and god willing....I'm just glad we came out on top.

Reminds me of Bull Durham with Costner talking to Robbins…on how to handle the media.

When you’re a big star in the show and you wear nasty stained flip flops everyone will think you’re “colorful”…but until then it just makes you a slob!

I was drunk at Huettenbar in Lincoln Square watching this game

So it was pretty entertaining.

Dean Wormer says: "Fat, drink and stupid is no way to go though life son..."

Hope you weren’t driving…

Sorry, but games like this don't entertain me at all

Nerve wracking…the ninth inning was nothing short of a nightmare. Two outs, Gregg looks like he’s dealing and then complete and total implosion.

Positives; (1) At least they pulled it out and (2) Hopefully Lou’s decision to stick with Marmol in the eighth (while most of us were screaming at the tv to “take him out” ) will be a confidence builder that will pay off down the line.

And, please God, I hope Paul Sullivan was right in today’s Trib and Rammy is okay and will be playing today.

bluekoolaide - August 2, 2009 reply

Great win for Gregg too.

Well.....

….he kinda didn’t deserve that win. LOL.

+1

sue369 - August 2, 2009 reply

yeah

he almost kinda deserved an open hand slap from Rothschild. They cut to him in the dugout just shaking his head during the meltdown.

That was so weird

Gregg had gotten ahead of everyone and didn’t seem to be missing by much…

it was a strange inning.

Allie - August 2, 2009 reply

Gregg had two outs

and looked like a win was moments away and then all hell breaks loose. Thank you Aaron for saving this game.

I don’t even know what to think of Marmol any more. Get the kid some help so he can be the pitcher we know he can be.

Really hope Z and Aramis will be okay. Please let the injuries stop.

Let’s win this one tonight in 9. My ulcer can’t take another one like last night.

sue369 - August 2, 2009 reply

The thing about Gregg...

was that his was pitching well, I thought. (In the sense of mostly hitting his spots, getting ahead of hitters). For whatever reason, they just managed to pull out 2-strike hits and hit it where we weren’t (including in the stands!). I kinda figure that’s bound to happen to every pitcher now and then.

Hopefully he brushes it off and comes back strong.

CubsWin!Oregon - August 2, 2009 reply

I had the same confused feeling

He was pounding the strike zone. He overpowered the first two guys.

Sometimes you have to give the other guys some credit, too. That wasn’t just “bad Gregg”.

I think the HR rattled him as was suggested last night on here.

He not only gave up hits after that but walked too. Fortunately he shakes those off a lot of times…and either way we know he’s blown saves before, let’s hope he shakes it off again. His stuff did look good…just erratic after the HR.

Gregg hates the Village People

and wanted to game to go so long that they left the stadium

Our bullpen is down right awful. AWFUL.

And every g damn week, someone else gets hurt. Last night, two guys went down. Unbelievable.

and amazingly enough

we’re only a half game out of the division lead. and two games up in the lost column. maybe not so very awful.

MOCubsfan - August 2, 2009 reply

and if st. louis had this many guys

especially pitchers getting hurt…..

But, they don't have this many guys getting hurt...

and they added 3 new good bats to their line-up…. and have a cakewalk schedule in August.

We'll see how long Lugo remains a good bat...

Though to date he does have a good line. What I think is crazy about Lugo is that his BABIP is .359 (!). On the one had, one would assume that’s unsustainable. ON the other hand, he does have a higher than normal career BABIP.

I want to call him extremely lucky, but I guess if you can sustain it over the course of a career that means it’s not luck…(though I still hope it by about 30 points or so this season…)

CubsWin!Oregon - August 2, 2009 reply

Not really

bilbosbuttons - August 2, 2009 via mobile reply

actually, our bullpen has been average to slightly above average...

top half of the NL in ERA, second-lowest BAA at .228, 6th lowest OPS against. The only thing the bullpen does badly is give up walks (a lot of them).

But the bullpen isn’t awful. It’s just inconsistent and perhaps mediocre.

Yes, only the reds in our division

Have a better bp era…

But how dare we throw out stats as an argument, lol

bilbosbuttons - August 2, 2009 via mobile reply

Jeff Spellcheck needs to go to Iowa

And all of them need to stop walking people. It’s ridiculous how many free passes we’ve handed out. Especially to start an inning.

Maybe Daytona ?

Doggie Stalker - August 2, 2009 reply

+1

I shook my head when he showed up for his second inning. He ate innings, but the cost was a bit high.

I think last night signed his ticket, at least I hope so.

I don’t think the Cubs should give up on him, I think he needs work in the minors…and not in difficult situations in the bigs. He has a live arm…wish we hadn’t heard this so much before.

As team, we've issued the 2nd most BBs in the majors. Horrendous.

While bb's aren't great

They arent runs. I see your arguement, but era is the stat that I would go by to decide whether or not they’re horrendous

bilbosbuttons - August 2, 2009 via mobile reply

Yes, they walk WAY too many people...

but they make up for it by not giving up hits. So while the walk rate is horrendous, the hit rate is fantastic. Which works out to average/above average on aggregate. So they’re not awful.

Agreed.

It would be fun to watch if they cut down on the walks though. Imagine their hit rate + no walks. It’d be domination.:)

But they’re still doing pretty well, as is.

CubsWin!Oregon - August 2, 2009 reply

+1

bilbosbuttons - August 2, 2009 reply

Adding to that

The Cubs and Marlins are 4th and 5th from the bottom in first pitch strikes thrown. (from L&B stats inc page)

No wonder all the games between the two have taken years.

Allie - August 2, 2009 reply

On A-Ram

Looking at what A-Ram was doing when he left, it didn’t appear related to the HBP — he appeared to either have something in his eye or was having problems dealing with the heat and humidity in addition to whatever pain he had from the pitch -

Al, we thought A-Ram was crying because he knew he was heading back to the DL.

LOL

Let’s hope not.

I thought it was possible he was woozy from the beanball and the humidity.

Pointing at his eyes and face suggested it too like Len and Bob said. With his relatively recent shoulder separation, your body can get overloaded dealing with all those things. Let’s hope that’s what it was…and I’d be tempted to give him a night off regardless to let that bruised arm heal while avoiding that humidity…he was sweating profusely, while many were there it’s another sign he needed rest.

Ugly Win

I like cliffhangers, but Zambrano’s back, Aramis Ramirez’s arm, and too many innings of relief pitching for both teams made this one not as pleasant as winning a road game should be. Let’s win today and get out of Florida with less drama. Hoping Zambrano and Ramirez can carry-on.

AboutTheCubs - August 2, 2009 reply

Marmol

Nobody asked me, but has anyone else noticed that watching Marmol trying to throw his fasball for a strike is like watching Shaq trying to make free throws at crunch time.

sweetswinger - August 2, 2009 reply

It's amazing how bad his control has been this year...

the guy went from having no control in 2006 to being amazing in 2007 and 2008. He’s still pretty much unhittable this year, but man has his control deserted him.

It's all about the 8" of real estate between his ears.

I don’t believe it’s mechanical or LR would have corrected it by now…

willie mays hayes' gloves - August 2, 2009 reply

about the game tying triple in the ninth.

weren’t we playing no doubles? i understand the ball was hit on a line, but dome can’t let that thing get over his head. big positioning mistake. thank god the cubs were able to pull it off.

buckmulligan - August 2, 2009 reply

Dome plays a deep center field. If a ball is hit over his head,

you couldn’t catch it unless you play on the warning track. That was just a rocket.

Yeah, I was surprised to see that

He plays CF from Racine when the Cubs are at home

berselius - August 2, 2009 reply

It's true. We have chats between innings.

Does he like cheese curds?

He wasn't playing as deep as normal at that moment...

And the same thing happened Friday night as well, if I remember correctly.

Not as deep as normal?

Keep in mind that CF in Miami is 434 feet. That would have been on top of the batter’s eye in Wrigley.

We can position an outfielder up there, right?

“It was a clean catch! He’s OUT!”

SWL- how about a pic with Dome on the top of the batter's eye lounge playing CF?

Oh... yeah...

I guess when you see him standing in that outfield, he doesn’t look so deep. :)

so, no doubles defense doesn't work in florida's park?

i hate that place. still, i would’ve like to see dome deep enough that nothing could get over his head, at least in that situation.

buckmulligan - August 2, 2009 reply

Agree with you sack

That first ball on friday that went over his head I was thinking he was playing shallow too…dunno, let’s hope some research on spray charts or advice was sought for the best place to position yourself there. It’s easy to say he was playing way too shallow when he can’t catch up to a hit. That said he did look shallow and the game was on the line when you sure don’t want a double or triple.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/12011925

Shades of 2007....

Does anyone remember how in 2007 the Cubs were attempting to clinch the division and had a road trip to Florida in late September? Then they got swept and had to salvage everything against Cincinnati right after. Sounds a bit familiar…. (thankfully, not the swept part)

Hilary Lee - August 2, 2009 reply

Well we are better now

No sweep.

Doggie Stalker - August 2, 2009 reply

aram went out because of dizziness from the pain

i dont know if its a good thing that the pain was bad enough that he got dizzy

He was hit on the forearm and it made him dizzy?

Was his forearm resting on his head when he got plunked?

No, I can understand that.

It hurt. It was hot & humid. He’d played for almost four hours.

I’m guessing he will feel a lot better today.

True. It just "reads" strangely...

Plus he is still recovering from his shoulder separation

After four hours it wasn’t surprising to me that he had trouble dealing with it.

Yes. That's true. Forgot about that possibly affecting the HBP area too...

i'm fairly certain that the aram hit by pitch was

a tailing fastball that tailed a LOT. i don’t think it was a breaking ball. but i agree – it didn’t look to be intentional.

John T. Unger - August 2, 2009 reply

Great win-that-shoulda-been-much-easier-than-it-was

I felt like I’d been through the wringer after watching the up-down-up-down-up of the whole contest. It felt like an 8-hour shift of heavy lifting. This is supposed to be fun, right?

…well, it is. Provided you win. :)

Anyone notice during Theriot's triple

Whomever scored 2nd, had to push the catcher away. Like it looked almost as if the catcher was bullying him (the ball wasn’t coming his way) and he literally had to be shoved past.

I only saw this highlight on MLB.com so the picture quality could be hiding the fact the ball was coming to him.

jeff baker v john baker

battle of the muffin men!

Too funny

madeindetroit - August 2, 2009 reply

with Dusty as the ring referee...

…and Poppin’ Fresh as the ring announcer…

In Kitchen Stadium

“Don’t get mad, get oven”

Only on pay-per-view

Yes. I noticed it too. My reaction was: "Get the hell out of the way dumb**s..."

It could have been obstruction if it came into play. But ultimately, it didn’t matter…

It doesn't appear that those of us outside of Chicago

have any access to this game? It’s in the ESPN window.

It's not on the Extra Innings schedule.

Hmm.

I did not know that. Maybe the late start causes that, although it’s three hours before ESPN’s game.

It's one of those rare Sundays

Unfortunately

Absolutely ridiculous.

I pay close to 200 bucks for MLB EI and I can’t watch the game today? What a load of crap.

kanderber - August 2, 2009 reply

OK, now I'm effing pissed.

I can’t believe this game won’t be on the MLB package today. Damn, Hell, Ass!

What about

On my iPhone?

bilbosbuttons - August 2, 2009 via mobile reply

Maybe I can get the game on my

flux capacitor.

You got a flux capacitor?

Hey, couldja go forward in time to tonight, get the results, come back and tell us?

1.21 GIGAWATTS! 1.21 GIGAWATTS!

bunch of crap

it pisses me off when they have two telecasts of one game (eg the Indians- Tigers today) and leave out others.

DC Cubbie - August 2, 2009 reply

THAT DOES IT!

I’m going to turn on the Astros/Cardinals game right now and GLARE at Matt Holliday in the hopes of putting some kind of hex on him. He’ll be forced to come out of the game with a severe hangnail or explosive diarrhea. Or both.

I like the passion

DC Cubbie - August 2, 2009 reply

I believe we can blame the World Wide Leader.

And, if you look closely at the EI

schedule, we will be treated to Fox/Ohio for the entire Reds series. Monday, of course — is WCIU, so that is never on the package and Tues/Wed there are no dual feeds.

To complete this comment it appears WGN

is NOT covering any of the Reds games? Is the pocket schedule correct?

Yikes. 3 days of Thom Brennaman?

What ESPN taketh away

ESPN gives back. Monday’s game is on the leader. Only 2 days of Thom Brennaman. Still 2 days too many.

i am loving the heilman lovefest

perhaps aaron will have earned the love & loyalty of the bcb gang & cubby fans everywhere.

aaron is a decent fellow, true humanitarian and a fourth dgree knight of columbuse

brian custer - August 2, 2009 reply

Seriously...

… are you his cousin or something?

Sarcasm font, I believe.

I'm not so sure about that.

We asked once and he actually answered

Hometown boy and they went to ND together… IIRC

Allie - August 2, 2009 reply

he's earned my loyalty

because I really like his stirrups.

so you're saying his stirrups stir you up?

1-0 astros

ndcubs - August 2, 2009 reply

In other news

Marquis drills Rolen and Rolen leaves the game.

MOCubsfan - August 2, 2009 reply

wuss...