Giants-Cubs: Game Recap

Not once did I hear the name Barry Bonds mentioned during the Giants-Cubs broadcast.

And I hope we don’t hear it tomorrow either. Good for Len and Bob.

Best outing of the year for Ryan Dempster. He would have allowed just one run if Aaron Miles had made a clean exchange on a double-play ball in the fifth.

Carlos Marmol was his old self again. And the three-straight sliders punching out Renteria were sick!

How many home runs for Ryan Theriot this season? I put the over-under at 10. The little man is in a zone, and he’s oozing confidence at the plate.

Dereck Lee went hitless but drew three walks. You can tell he’s relaxed and waiting for the right pitch.

He could’ve taken a few outside pitches to right field. Instead, he appeared to be looking for something on the inner half to drive over the wall. Let’s hope he keeps that patient approach.

Aramis Ramirez looks rusty at the plate, as expected.

After all, when’s the last time he’s swung through back-to-back fastballs over the heart of the plate—with the bases juiced, nonetheless? Not that I’m worried.

Love seeing Lou Pinniela giving his runners the green light. Ryan Theriot stole a base, bringing the Cubbies' total to eight over the past five games.

It’s official. Zambrano is on the 15-day DL. But let’s not fault the guy for hustling. He got hurt, it happens—we move on.

What’s it feel like to be Bobby Scales tonight? He spends 11 years in the minors and finally gets called to the show at 31 years old—filling in Z’s roster spot.

In the offseason, Scales worked as a substitute teacher to make ends meet…something many can relate to.

I’d love to see him play in tomorrow's game. And, if at some point he sticks around with the Cubs, he’ll be a huge fan favorite.

How wonderful that Bobby Howry wasn’t on the mound as a Cub tonight! Though he did manage two scoreless innings.

Tim Lincecum goes tomorrow for San Fran, and Sean Marshall will have to dig deep to keep up.

One run can be the difference against Lincecum.

But it’s a good measuring-stick game for the left-hander.

 

Other Notes:

• The Cubs (14-11) are in second place.

• W: Dempster (2-1) L: Sanchez (1-2) S: Gregg (4)

• The four-game winning streak is the Cubs’ longest of the season.

• The Cubs have homered in eight of their last nine games.

• Chicago is 9-3 when scoring first.

• Theriot leads the Cubs with six stolen bases.

• Chicago is tied for the MLB lead in quality starts with 15—Dempster has two.

• Lee’s homestand: five RBI, four runs, three walks, and two home runs.

• Geovany Soto’s bases-loaded walk marks his 100th career RBI.