Thursday September 27
THANKS NED!!!
Ned Yost, or whoever, decided that settling a score was more important than the score. Pennant race be darned, we are going to get even with that bully LaRussa. The Cardinals were sleep walking until Tuesday night when former Cardinal Jeff Suppan buzzed Albert Pujols' tower. Tony LaRussa started yelling at Yost and the Cardinals woke up. Then last night the Cardinals retaliated, what do they have to lose, by plunking Prince Fielder. Fielder was livid and stared down LaRussa, but he kept his composure and went down to first. The Brewer bench went ballistic. Then came the top of the 8th...
Pujols came to the plate with the Cardinals holding onto a slim 3-2 lead with the bases empty and one out. Yost went to the mound and summoned Seth McClung although Dereck Turnbow was also warmed up in the 'pen. Pujols later said he knew what was coming when McClung came in instead of Turnbow. The first pitch was behind Pujols and caught his elbow. Phat Albert turned and stared immediately at Yost. McClung and Yost were tossed out of the game as both benches were warned following Fielder's beaning. The Cardinals went on to score 4 runs to put the game away. By the way, Milwaukee scored what should have been the tying run in the bottom of the 9th.
When Yost was asked about the choice of McClung he replied, "I wanted him to pitch. If anyone got on I was going to get Turnbow. The first guy got on, so I brought Turnbow in."
The Brewers got even and the Cubs were relieved. The Cubs have played tight and bad baseball since leaving Wrigley Field. But I think the bravado of the Brewers will actually relax the Cubs a little now.
But we still have to win some games. Although The Padres are going to Milwaukee for the final 4 games of the season and are clinging to a one game lead in the Wildcard, they played late last night and probably are still en route to Milwaukee. And Gallardo is pitching for the Brewers tonight. Gallardo has been the best pitcher in the division since the All-Star break and one of the best in baseball. The Brewers should win tonight. We need to put some pressure on them by winning this afternoon.
Go Cubs Go!!!
Lou? Yesterday Lou said that he was going with the experienced Jason Kendall instead of the Geovany Soto. I was stunned. Soto has shown a much better arm and a better bat. And Lou has been going with the hot hand all season.
But in the end I completely defer to his baseball acumen over my own. He has managed a world champion and I struggle playing Strat-O-Matic...
Yesterday's Results:
Marlins 7, Cubs 4 Box: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2007_09_26_chnmlb_flomlb_1
Cardinals 7, Brewers 3
Standings:
Cubs 83-75 --
Brewers 81-77 2
Great minds think alike, I guess. I had just finished my post at http://mybrewers.mlblogs.com and decided to read some of the other blogs I read on a pretty regular basis and found that you think the same about the Ned Yost move last night as I do... but you liked it because it helped your club and I hated it because it hurt mine. I will be watching the Cubs/Marlins game at work on MLB.TV and could go home crushed as your team celebrates increasing their lead to 2.5... or with slim hope.
Keep up the good work. Your's is one of the few Cubs blogs I can stomach reading.
Steve
http://mybrewers.mlblogs.com
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SHEWWWW, That was a close one. Thank goodness for manly Bravado. I can hear Yost now, Oh Yeah... take that". That just woke up a sleeping giant.
I will agree with you on Sweet Lou's decision to go with Kendall. It seemed earlier in the year Lou would go with the hot bat, strong arm, etc., etc., and the fire it brought to the team has dimmed. I remeber watching Theriot, Fontenot, the extremely versatile(can you say MVP) DeRosa, even Felix Pie do whatever it took to play and win. Seeing Pie come in from center field after a win with the excitement was picture perfect. He may not be able to hit a basketball but he lifted the Cubs spirits when it seemed they were ready for the... "Wait till next year" attitude that has seemed to be prevalent in Chicago.***** your reputation and your ego seemed to be the Lou's take at putting a TEAM together, it was about winning but in my opinion that fire needs to be there now more than ever. Example:
Soto is en Fuego (forgive me I took French). The other night... I think down by one-Kendall got on with no outs with the pitcher due up. I did not understand why Fuld or Pie did not replace Kendall at first and try to manufacture the run with speed... A hit and run, maybe a stolen base or something. Soto could have come in and given the Cubs a hot bat in the late innings-replacing Kendall. Outcome of letting a waning catcher run the bags... Two out- no one on, due to a ground ball double-play. A true momentum buster. I am not a professional ball player/manager or anything other than a DIE HARD CUBS FANATIC and my take on baseball may be naive but I saw a stolen base in my mind followed by the same ground ball. Outcome: Tying run on third and one out. Hey Mr. Piniella... You are a Cub's fan saviour. Lead your boys to salvation. Oh, by the way Lou I must be an idiot... I am questioning one or two of your decisions and you have an army of Cubs fans about to see our boys win the series. I am sorry, won't happen again.
P.S. I have been to twenty or so Cubs games and have never seen them lose. Unfortunately, they have ALL been at old Cinergy or the new Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. I will be there this Saturday to see my team Clinch. Mark my words. Zambrano, the real Zambrano will show up.... and DOMINATE!!! See ya there. I will be the one holding the sign that says:
W e came from
G lasgow, KY to see the Cubs
N otch another win!!
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cpinkel,
Thanks for your great comment. I am jealous of your being in Cincy this Saturday. I hope you do get to celebrate a division title while there.
Go Cubs!!!
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Hey Chad, I will be in section 102, row n, seat 10... look for me at the end of nine... I WILL BE DOING A HAPPY DANCE.
GO CUBS GO!!!
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cp,
I'll bet you had one of the best times of your life!!!!
What a great moment.
Go Cubs Go!!!
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