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Cubs Rally Past Pirates
In a score more appropriate for a Bears-Steelers defensive struggle, the Cubs outlasted the PIrates 14-9 in a game where effective pitching was nowhere to be found. Geovany Soto was the definite MVP of the game, knocking in seven runs and scoring three. Alfonso Soriano went three-for-six and scored twice. Carols "The Molar" Zambrano struggled in the first inning, giving up three runs. Overall, he gave up six runs in four and 1/3 innings and was followed by six pitchers out of the bullpen: Samardzjia, Cotts, Gaudin, Marshall (who earned the win), Marmol, and Wood. It might have been ugly, but a win is a win and enables the Cubs to maintain their five game lead over the Brewers while stretching their lead over the Cards to nine and a half games. And from the Tao of Lou: "It wasn't one of our better games. You'd rather win like that than play a great game and lose it."
Sox Slam O's
Gavin Floyd allowed only two runs over eight innings of work to lead the White Sox to another road victory over the Orioles, 8-3, and extended the Sox lead over the Twins to two games. Nick Swisher started things off with a two-run homer in the first and Orlando Cabrera had a big night at the plate, going four-for-five while knocking two runs and scoring three. Carlos Quentin doubled-home Cabrera, helping him cross the 100 RBI threshold. Said Ozzie of Quentin's outstanding year:
"I always say, 'Work hard, it pays off,' and this kid is a workaholic....He never takes anything for granted. Hopefully, there are more years to come with 100 RBIs and his teammates have a lot to do with that, and I think this kid is outstanding...Not because he has the kind of year he's had. If you have this kid, day in and day out, you see how he prepares and gets ready. You don't see too many [young] guys grab this game the way he does. Some kids go out there and are ready to be in the big leagues and try to enjoy it. He wants to be good."We still await word on Ozzie's response to Mariotti's departure.
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I can't for the life of me figure out why Marshall didn't just go in to replace Zambrano, who should have come out before he had the chance to surrender the lead. Demp is pitching today and he's usually good for 6 or 7 innings. Oh well, a win is a win, even if Lou made a few questionable moves. They can't all be top notch
I just realized it was Marquis today...how is this pud still in the rotation?
What I don't get is: what happened to giving Samardzjia a start? With Marquis struggling and Z being up-and-down, it can't hurt to throw the kid out there against a team like the Pirates to see how he fares. Besides pushing back the starters for an extra day of rest (in prep for the playoffs), why not? If he struggles, you always have the option on putting Marquis in and thus saving your bullpen as well.
But using SIX penners??? Lord. It was an ugly game, but not THAT ugly.
I don't think Lou intended to use Marshall last night but Smarge and Cotts both struggled so they had to use him. Hopefully the loss of Eyre and Howry (it's basically like he's not on the team) doesn't end up biting the Cubs in the playoffs. With more days off between games it shouldn't be as necessary to turn the ball over to Neal Cotts or Chad Gaudin (who is great or awful).