08/29 CUBS (Zambrano) @ Pittsburgh (Maholm) 6:05 CDT, WGN TV

[cheapseats]

Neifi would have saved us. :cry:

[Fred Hornkohl]

Tuesday 29 August 2006

CUBS @ Pittsburgh

18:05

 

 

                1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1          R  H  E
CUBS            0 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1          6 12  4
Pittsburgh      0 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 2          7 10  1



CUBS
                     ab   r   h rbi  bb   k lob  sb  cs sac gdp   e  2b  3b  hr  sf  hb
Pierre        cf       5   0   0   1   1   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Bynum         2b       6   1   1   0   0   3   2   0   0   0   0   1   1   0   0   0   0
Ramirez       3b       3   3   3   0   3   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Lee           1b       6   0   3   1   0   0   3   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Barrett       c        6   0   2   1   0   1   8   0   0   0   1   0   1   0   0   0   0
Dempster      p        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Murton        lf       5   1   2   1   1   1   3   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Pagan         rf       4   1   1   0   1   0   3   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Theriot       ss       3   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0
Jones         ph       1   0   0   0   0   1   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Aardsma       p        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Blanco        c        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Zambrano      p        3   0   0   0   0   1   2   0   0   0   0   2   0   0   0   0   0
Nevin         ph       1   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Wuertz        p        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Howry         p        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Cedeno        ph-ss    1   0   0   0   0   1   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0

totals                44   6  12   4   7   9  24   0   0   0   1   4   2   0   0   0   0



Pittsburgh
                     ab   r   h rbi  bb   k lob  sb  cs sac gdp   e  2b  3b  hr  sf  hb
Duffy         cf       4   0   1   1   1   0   1   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Bautista      3b-rf    5   0   0   1   1   4   3   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Sanchez       ss       5   0   1   1   0   0   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Bay           lf       4   0   0   0   1   1   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Nady          rf-1b    5   2   3   0   0   1   1   0   0   0   1   0   1   0   0   0   0
Paulino       c        3   0   0   0   1   2   1   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Doumit        1b       4   1   1   0   0   1   2   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0
Torres        p        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Marte         p        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Capps         p        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Cota          ph       1   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Snell         pr       0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Castillo      2b       5   2   1   1   0   1   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Maholm        p        1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Burnitz       ph       1   0   1   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
McLeary       p        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Davis         ph       1   1   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0
Grabow        p        0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Randa         3b       2   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0

totals                41   7  10   6   4  10  13   0   0   2   1   1   2   0   0   0   0



CUBS
                 IP   H   R  ER  BB   K  HR  Pit
Zambrano         7.0   7   5   3   1   7   0  111
Wuertz           1.0   1   0   0   0   2   0   18
Howry            1.0   0   0   0   0   1   0   16
Aardsma          1.0   0   0   0   1   0   0   12
Dempster         0.3   2   2   1   2   0   0   21

totals          10.3  10   7   4   4  10   0  178


Pittsburgh
                 IP   H   R  ER  BB   K  HR  Pit
Maholm           5.0   7   4   3   3   4   0  113
McLeary          2.0   1   1   1   1   2   0   34
Grabow           1.3   1   0   0   1   1   0   17
Torres           1.7   2   0   0   0   2   0   19
Marte            0.3   0   1   1   1   0   0   7

totals          11.0  12   6   5   7   9   0  212



Home runs:
CUBS: none
Pittsburgh: none

W: Capps (5-1)
S: none
L: Dempster (1-6)

T: 3:34
A: 14,618

 

 

 

                  CUBS      Pittsburgh
P/PA              4.16            3.79
RBI%              0.14            0.32
R/BR              0.32            0.50
BA               0.273           0.244
OBP              0.373           0.311
SLG              0.318           0.293
OPS              0.691           0.604
ERA               3.27            4.09
WHIP              1.27            1.73
BB/9              3.27            5.73
K/9               8.18            7.36

Edited August 30, 2006 by Fred Hornkohl

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Right now we're 1.5 games out of the 3rd draft pick(Tampa currently losing), 2.5 out of the 2nd pick(Pittsburgh), and 6.5 out of the #1 spot(KC).

[CaliforniaRaisin]

That's certainly one way to lose a game.

[JonnyRed]

Dempster is pitching so bad lately, I really have to start wondering if he is throwing these games on purpose. That, or he's hurt. You can't go from being a pretty solid closer to blowing chunks against the Pirates without something being amiss.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Dempster is pitching so bad lately, I really have to start wondering if he is throwing these games on purpose. That, or he's hurt. You can't go from being a pretty solid closer to blowing chunks against the Pirates without something being amiss.

 

He had the GIDP to get out of the game unscathed, but Cedeno/Bynum couldn't even get one. I doubt anyone would be throwing regular season games at this point anyways, but there's no proof for that.

[ToupeeOnFire]

Right now we're 1.5 games out of the 3rd draft pick(Tampa currently losing), 2.5 out of the 2nd pick(Pittsburgh), and 6.5 out of the #1 spot(KC).

We have some work to do if we want to win the Fecal League Championship.

 

In Dusty I Trusty!

[Hatman]

I dont know if anyone else is getting the pittsburgh feed, but Aramis is NOT happy with juan pierre

 

Please elaborate. :lol:

 

After pierre lazily fielded the ball, allowing Snell to go to third, Aramis threw his hands in the air and leaned his head back. He was obviously frustrated.

 

A-Ram is pissed at someone else for dogging it? That's a hoot!!!!!

 

I'm sorry, but until the rest of this team produces 1/4 of what Aramis does year in and year out, I'll continue to give him free pass after free pass, while I will not for someone like Pierre.

 

Come on...the guy has only come to play since he decided that this was his free agent year.

 

It's not like anyone else showed up either. Ramirez has been the only exciting player on this team this year. He's the best 3B we've seen since Santo.

 

...Ramirez has been the only exciting player on this team for about the last 45 days. He is certainly the best since Santo but, get over him...he's walking at the end of the season. If Dusty leaves, the managerial cycle will swing away from a "players manager" to a bit of a more "no nonsense" manager. A-Ram may not want to be pushed hard w/o a major increase in $.

[Laura]

If we lose tomorrow, expect some changes on the team. I don't know how you can get swept by the Pirates and the Cardinals back to back while playing piss poor defense without firing somebody.

 

There won't be any changes. There wasn't any changes after we were swept by the Padres at home. There weren't any changes after the 8 game losing streak. There weren't any changes after the Braves series. There weren't any changes during the All-Star break. Don't expect any changes right now.

 

Besides, it's not like these are important games.

 

But isn't the point that ... were there any urgency to win, that those games would have been important games? I'm guessing that's your point.

 

The front office -- Hendry & MacPhail -- conceded the season long ago.

 

Why not? The cash register keeps turning over.

[Outshined_One]

Dempster is pitching so bad lately, I really have to start wondering if he is throwing these games on purpose. That, or he's hurt. You can't go from being a pretty solid closer to blowing chunks against the Pirates without something being amiss.

 

The thing is, though, I'm more apt to blame Ramirez, Cedeno, Bynum, and the ump (Wendelstedt?) than Demps in this situation. He got the double play ball when he needed it and that fourth ball was a strike on the walkoff.

 

Yet, no one argued. Go figure.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I dont know if anyone else is getting the pittsburgh feed, but Aramis is NOT happy with juan pierre

 

Please elaborate. :lol:

 

After pierre lazily fielded the ball, allowing Snell to go to third, Aramis threw his hands in the air and leaned his head back. He was obviously frustrated.

 

A-Ram is pissed at someone else for dogging it? That's a hoot!!!!!

 

I'm sorry, but until the rest of this team produces 1/4 of what Aramis does year in and year out, I'll continue to give him free pass after free pass, while I will not for someone like Pierre.

 

Come on...the guy has only come to play since he decided that this was his free agent year.

 

It's not like anyone else showed up either. Ramirez has been the only exciting player on this team this year. He's the best 3B we've seen since Santo.

 

...Ramirez has been the only exciting player on this team for about the last 45 days. He is certainly the best since Santo but, get over him...he's walking at the end of the season. If Dusty leaves, the managerial cycle will swing away from a "players manager" to a bit of a more "no nonsense" manager. A-Ram may not want to be pushed hard w/o a major increase in $.

 

You seriously think Ram is walking? What indications has he given to make you think that?

[Laura]

 

You seriously think Ram is walking? What indications has he given to make you think that?

 

Why would he stick around minus being paid a lot of money?

 

For the joy of watching this trainwreck?

 

And you know Hendry will have a gut attack at paying him more than Derrek Lee.

[Hatman]

I dont know if anyone else is getting the pittsburgh feed, but Aramis is NOT happy with juan pierre

 

Please elaborate. :lol:

 

After pierre lazily fielded the ball, allowing Snell to go to third, Aramis threw his hands in the air and leaned his head back. He was obviously frustrated.

 

A-Ram is pissed at someone else for dogging it? That's a hoot!!!!!

 

I'm sorry, but until the rest of this team produces 1/4 of what Aramis does year in and year out, I'll continue to give him free pass after free pass, while I will not for someone like Pierre.

 

Come on...the guy has only come to play since he decided that this was his free agent year.

 

It's not like anyone else showed up either. Ramirez has been the only exciting player on this team this year. He's the best 3B we've seen since Santo.

 

...Ramirez has been the only exciting player on this team for about the last 45 days. He is certainly the best since Santo but, get over him...he's walking at the end of the season. If Dusty leaves, the managerial cycle will swing away from a "players manager" to a bit of a more "no nonsense" manager. A-Ram may not want to be pushed hard w/o a major increase in $.

 

You seriously think Ram is walking? What indications has he given to make you think that?

 

For one, he seems to be actually giving a crap lately. Maybe I'm wrong and it was just a very (very) slow start for him at the plate (and in the mental dept too). Maybe I'm a cynic because he is putting on a classic salary drive. BUT, Ramirez can void his contract ($11 million next season) and opt to become a free agent. It is a very thin FA crop...certainly for third baggers...and he would be the pick of the litter.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

You seriously think Ram is walking? What indications has he given to make you think that?

 

Why would he stick around minus being paid a lot of money?

 

For the joy of watching this trainwreck?

 

And you know Hendry will have a gut attack at paying him more than Derrek Lee.

 

Hendry knows the consequences of not re-sigining, especially given how weak the offense is and how limited the free agent power hitters are.

 

And Aramis supposedly has said he likes playing for the Cubs. :shrug:

[Flames24Rulz]

If we lose tomorrow, expect some changes on the team. I don't know how you can get swept by the Pirates and the Cardinals back to back while playing piss poor defense without firing somebody.

 

There won't be any changes. There wasn't any changes after we were swept by the Padres at home. There weren't any changes after the 8 game losing streak. There weren't any changes after the Braves series. There weren't any changes during the All-Star break. Don't expect any changes right now.

 

Besides, it's not like these are important games.

 

But isn't the point that ... were there any urgency to win, that those games would have been important games? I'm guessing that's your point.

 

The front office -- Hendry & MacPhail -- conceded the season long ago.

 

Why not? The cash register keeps turning over.

 

Yeah, that was my point.

 

And don't get me started on the front office...

[chuckywang]

Dempster is pitching so bad lately, I really have to start wondering if he is throwing these games on purpose. That, or he's hurt. You can't go from being a pretty solid closer to blowing chunks against the Pirates without something being amiss.

 

He had the GIDP to get out of the game unscathed, but Cedeno/Bynum couldn't even get one. I doubt anyone would be throwing regular season games at this point anyways, but there's no proof for that.

 

Why would Cedeno/Bynum/Dempster want to throw games? That makes no sense.

[YearofDaCubs]

I know next season we're not going anywhere either so I'm not too happy about that but I'm deeply concerned we might be this bad for a very long time and that is really disturbing. This team will make your hair go gray in a hurry. Our owners suck, our GM sucks really bad, we have a terrible manager who will thankfully be gone at year's end, and we keep relying on injury prone pitchers to make a difference. There is just too many problems in this organization to recover from. Oh yeah, Dempster is terrible and should have been traded at the trade deadline, no question.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Dempster is pitching so bad lately, I really have to start wondering if he is throwing these games on purpose. That, or he's hurt. You can't go from being a pretty solid closer to blowing chunks against the Pirates without something being amiss.

 

He had the GIDP to get out of the game unscathed, but Cedeno/Bynum couldn't even get one. I doubt anyone would be throwing regular season games at this point anyways, but there's no proof for that.

 

Why would Cedeno/Bynum/Dempster want to throw games? That makes no sense.

 

It doesn't. I don't think anyone is throwing games. This isn't a good team.

[oldstyle81]

Dempster is pitching so bad lately, I really have to start wondering if he is throwing these games on purpose. That, or he's hurt. You can't go from being a pretty solid closer to blowing chunks against the Pirates without something being amiss.

 

He had the GIDP to get out of the game unscathed, but Cedeno/Bynum couldn't even get one. I doubt anyone would be throwing regular season games at this point anyways, but there's no proof for that.

 

Why would Cedeno/Bynum/Dempster want to throw games? That makes no sense.

 

It doesn't. I don't think anyone is throwing games. This isn't a good team.

 

 

Dempster was never that good, last year was a fluke

[ltb]

you can't walk across the plate dude

 

...........oh wait.

[oldstyle81]

runners just clog up the bases

[Sammy Sofa]

Dempster is pitching so bad lately, I really have to start wondering if he is throwing these games on purpose. That, or he's hurt. You can't go from being a pretty solid closer to blowing chunks against the Pirates without something being amiss.

 

He had the GIDP to get out of the game unscathed, but Cedeno/Bynum couldn't even get one. I doubt anyone would be throwing regular season games at this point anyways, but there's no proof for that.

 

Why would Cedeno/Bynum/Dempster want to throw games? That makes no sense.

 

It doesn't. I don't think anyone is throwing games. This isn't a good team.

 

 

Dempster was never that good, last year was a fluke

 

I don't think he's nearly as good as people give him credit for, nor was he worth the contract he got, but saying his performance all of last year and the first part of this year as closer was nothing but a fluke is pretty flimsy. I think it's more likely he was/is pitching hurt and/or he just doesn't have the mental "stuff" to be a closer on a team this bad. It's one thing to close for a team that can win at least SOME games with the bat on a regular basis...it's another when almost every close opportunity is do or die because there's zero alternative with the defense/offense. Some guys can handle that pressure...I don't think Dempster can. But I do think he can still be a decent closer on the right team.

 

That said, I wouldn't be too sorry to see him go be that closer for another team.

[JonnyRed]

Dempster is pitching so bad lately, I really have to start wondering if he is throwing these games on purpose. That, or he's hurt. You can't go from being a pretty solid closer to blowing chunks against the Pirates without something being amiss.

 

He had the GIDP to get out of the game unscathed, but Cedeno/Bynum couldn't even get one. I doubt anyone would be throwing regular season games at this point anyways, but there's no proof for that.

 

Why would Cedeno/Bynum/Dempster want to throw games? That makes no sense.

 

It was meant to be tounge in cheek, but Demp has been absolutely brutal lately. When's the last time he actually had a 1-2-3 inning? And tonight was against the Pirates to boot!

[NorthsideAvenger]

I know next season we're not going anywhere either so I'm not too happy about that but I'm deeply concerned we might be this bad for a very long time and that is really disturbing. This team will make your hair go gray in a hurry. Our owners suck, our GM sucks really bad, we have a terrible manager who will thankfully be gone at year's end, and we keep relying on injury prone pitchers to make a difference. There is just too many problems in this organization to recover from. Oh yeah, Dempster is terrible and should have been traded at the trade deadline, no question.

 

That is laughable. His contract, plus the fact he pretty much stunk this yr equals, UNTRADEABLE. Jim COULDN'T give Dempster away.

 

With that said...it's amazing how far down the ladder this organization fell after 2003. Going from 5 outs from the WS, to LOSING to the Pirates in extra innings........that is pathethic. If MLB was run like futbol, the Chicago Cubs would be in Single A, right now.

 

Whatever promise the Cubs had after 2003, was completely and utterly destroyed by Hendry mismanagement, and Baker cruelty towards young players and pitchers. And with little help in terms of immediate impact help, this teams future, is worse then the Pirates.

[Andy]

If we lose tomorrow, expect some changes on the team. I don't know how you can get swept by the Pirates and the Cardinals back to back while playing piss poor defense without firing somebody.

The Cubs went something like 5-135 in May and June. Who got fired then?