First Star - Edinson Volquez (.190)
Second Star - Joey Votto (.134)
Third Star - Jerry Hairston Jr. (.122)
Top Play - Votto’s HR in the 2nd (+.103)
Being a lifelong Cubs fan, it only seems fitting that my first recap would come after a game in which little optimism could be found…I have by no means given up on ending our 100 year drought, however, I feel as if this is going to be much more difficult then once anticipated. I know we are in a serious slump, but I would rather be hopeful than not.
Sitting down to recap an all around pathetic game, I find myself contemplating how can we get back on track. I have been very skeptical on the lack of power (as of late) and consistency of Alfonso Soriano…But I must admit that with one out in the bottom of the third and Mike Fontenot at first, I would have liked to be able to WISH for a two run dinger. But with R. Johnson, up, the most I could truly hope for was a solid single. So I guess what I am saying is that I would rather have faith in our multi-million-dollar man…then not.
As for Lieber, what can be said? He looked great in the first inning, and that was it. Back-to-back home runs to start the inning did little for my confidence. When you place an 88 MPH fastball over the middle of the plate, what can you expect? He has pitched well thus far, so I am not ready to throw him under the bus, but unless Big Z and Demp can conjure up some magic and go every other day, we need to really look into solidifying our rotation.
As for our (lack of) Offense, I find this a bit alarming. Although Volquez had his A-game, there were numerous times when we coulda/shoulda scored. D. Lee struggles once again, as well as Mr. Fukudome. I have all but had it with Felix Pie. He may be great defensively, but you can almost be certain, he will be walking back to the dugout after a called third strike. But it seems that Reed Johnson is not the answer either. And where is our powerhouse PH…Ward looks extremely uncomfortable up at the plate. I foresee a very angry Lou.
Inning by inning recap
1st – D. Lee continues to struggle, hitting into yet another inning ending DP. Lieber looks good. I am optimistic that my first recap will be a W.
2nd – Volquez quickly shuts us down. Then the “Fall of Lieber”. Four HR’s and we are quickly going to have to play catch up. (0-5)
3rd - I was praying that D. Lee, with two on, was going to put one up in the stands and cut into this lead, however this was not the case. Gut-wrenching-hair-pulling once again. Sean Marshall replaces Lieber and looks decent. At least no HR’s. (0-5)
4th – With two on, and Mr. Clutch (Lately) up, Cedeno strikes out. No use in hoping that Felix can drive in a run. Strike out number two. Marshall pitches a 1-2-3 inning. Maybe there is hope.
5th – Two more left on base. Back to Back HR’s by Phillips and Votto (#2 of the day). Marshall is replaced by Gallagher. No more damage. (as of yet) (0-7)
6th – Fukudome still seems to struggle on the road, especially on this trip. And of course, Gallagher feels left out of the HR mix, so he gives up #3 to Votto. (0-9)
7th – Two on. Two out. Usually reliable D. Lee strikes out. Howry replaces Gallagher. Has a decent inning, and by decent, I mean no runs allowed. (0-9)
8th – Fukudome gets his first hit of the series. Weurtz pitches a 1-2-3 inning. (0-9)
9th – Soriano comes in to pinch hit. Grounds out to third to end this nightmare of a game. At least we go home. But oh no, we face the Diamondbacks.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
At this rate the Cubs will be 95-75.
May 8th, 2008 at 6:42 am
No way the Cubs win 90. It’s not a knock on them, but with the other teams in that division wearing each other down I don’t see more than 88 games winning the Central.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:53 am
That was a joke from previous posts. Unless the season is really 170 games long now….
May 8th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
The funny/sad things was on the radio, after the first 2nd inning homer, Santo said: “He’ll [Lieber] do that, give up the long ball, but so long as they’re solo it’s okay.” Then Lieber proceeded to give up three more — that inning — including two more solos (!)and a 2 bagger.
Sorry. I’m an irrevocable lifelong Cubs fan. I don’t believe in goats or black cats or Bartmans. But I do believe in botched double play balls and pitching implosions and strikeouts at the lead-off spot; that’s my life story as a Cubs fan, and this team, this year, is going nowhere.
Of course I hope I’m wrong.
May 8th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Hey Dan, great recap. Sorry it had to be on a loss.
May 8th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Blowouts happen. Point to me one major league team that has avoided getting blown out at some point during a season, and…….well, I’ll mail you a big fat cookie. I promise.